Angelica Root and Its Benefit.

Contents

• Basic Botanical Data of Angelica Spectrum and Family.
• What does Angelica and Angelica Root Mean?
• Narrative History and Archeology of Angelica Spectrum.
• Traditional Uses of Angelica Family.
• Narrative and Description of Chinese Angelica.
• Application and function of Chinese Angelica Root.
• Phytochemicals and Contents of Chinese Angelica Root.
• Dong Quai Root Aid for hormones Using.
• Chinese Angelica Root.Dang Gui and Its Modern Indications.
• Chinese Angelica Root Modern Research.
• Narrative and Description of European Angelica.
• Application and Uses of European Angelica.
• Photo Gallery of Angelica Root.

Narrative and Description of Chinese Angelica.:

 Chinese angelica, dong quai, dang gui, or tang kuei consists of the root of the Chinese plant Angelica polymorpha Maxim. var sinensis Oliv., also known as A. sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, a member of the family Apiaceae. The drug is mildly laxative, although it is used primarily for its uterine tonic, antispasmodic, and alterative (blood purifying) effects.
 Under chemical investigation, seven different coumarin derivatives have been identified in dong quai, including oxypeucedanin, osthole, imperatorin, psoralen, and bergapten. Many coumarins are known to act as vasodilators and antispasmodics; others, such as osthole, have a stimulating action on the central nervous system. Thus, at least some of the purported activities of dong quai could be accounted for by these compounds.
 However, large doses of coumarins are not without undesirable effects, and the furocoumarins, such as psoralen and bergapten, are prone to cause photosensitization that may result in a type of dermatitis in persons exposed to them. In 1981, investigators concluded that these so-called psoralens present sufficient risks to humans that all unnecessary exposure to them should be avoided. For this reason, large amounts of a furocoumarin-containing drug such as dong quai cannot be recommended. Substantial clinical evidence is lacking in Western scientific literature to support the effectiveness of dong quai for the various conditions for which it is advocated. The only U.S. study of the effects of dong quai on postmenopausal symptoms (night sweats, hot flashes) found it to be no more effective than a placebo. Dong-quai is one of the most widely pre- scribed drugs in traditional Chinese medicine and is more widely used than other popular herbs such as ginseng. Dong quai is generally used in combination with other ingredients. For acceptance in Western societies, controlled clinical studies should be conducted. Until then, there is little reason to utilize it as a therapeutic agent.
 Part Used:Rhizome, root, leaves, stalks, seeds.
 Habitat and Cultivation: Chinese angelica is native to China, where it is now cultivated. The best rhizomes are in Gansu province in China. Seed is sown in spring, and the rhizomes are lifted in autumn.
 Key components:beta-sitosterol,coumarins,vitamin B12,volatile oil [butylidine phthalide, ligustilide, sesquiterpenes, carvacrol]).
 Phytochemicals:Chinese angelica contains volatile oil, bitter iridoids, resin, coumarins, valerianic acid, tannins, bergapten; vitamins A and B also reported in Chinese species.
 Dong Quai contains vitamins E, A and B12. Researchers have isolated at least six coumarin derivatives that exert antispasmodic and vasodilatory effects. Antispasmodics are a remedy for menstrual cramps. The essential oil in dong quai contains Ligustilide, butylphthalide and numerous other minor components. Ferulic acid and various polysaccharides are also found in dong quai's root. These elements can prevent spasms, reduce blood clotting and relax peripheral blood vessels. Research has shown that Dong Quai produces a balancing effect on estrogen activity.
 

Synonyms of Dong Quai:

 Chinese Angelica, Chinese Danggui, Danggui, Dang Gui, Danggui-Nian-Tong-Tang (DGNTT), Dang Quai, Dong Kwai, Dong qua, Dong Quai extract, Dong Quai root, Dong qui, dry-kuei, engelwurzel, European angelica, European Dong Quai, Female ginseng, FP3340010, FP334015, FT334010, garden angelica, Heiligenwurzel,Kinesisk Kvan, Kinesisk Kvanurt, Ligusticum glaucescens franch, Ligusticum officinale Koch, Ligustilides, phytoestrogen, Qingui, radix Angelica sinensis , root of the Holy Ghost, Tan Kue Bai Zhi, Tang Kuei, Tang Kuei Root, Tang kwei, Tang Quai, Tanggui, Tanggwi,wild angelica, wild Chin Quai, Women's ginseng, Yuan Nan wild Dong Quai, Yungui.
 Combination herbal formulations: Angelica-Alunite Solution, Angelica-Paeonia Powder, Bloussant Breast Enhancement Tablets, Bust Plus, Dong Quai and Royal Jelly, Female Corrective Combination Containing Dong Quai?, Danggui Huoxue Tang, Danggui Buxue Tang, Four Things Soup, Shou Wu Chih, Dong Quai, Shenyan Huayu Tang, Sini Decoction, Siwu tang, Shimotus To, tokishakuyakusan, Xiao Yao Powder, Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin [Dang Gui (Shen), Bai Zhu, Shu Di Huang,Wu Yao, Mu Dan Pi (Su), Chuan Xiong, Chen Pi (Ju Pi), Xiang Fu, Fu Ling, Yi Mu Cao, Sheng Jiang, Gan Cao, Da Zao (Red), Gan Jiang], Yishen Tang.

Origin of Chinese Angelica:

 This herb is the root of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, a perennial aromatic plant, of the family Umbelliferae. Native to China, it is grown on high ground in cool and damp areas of western and northwestern parts of the country.
 
 The aromatic plant Angelica is grown in many parts of the world. The roots and fruit of the Eurasian species, Angelica archangelica, yield angelica oil used to flavor liquors and in perfumery, while the tender shoots are used in making certain kinds of aromatic sweetmeats; tea made from the roots and leaves is a traditional medicine for respiratory ailments.
 In the Faroe Islands and in Iceland, where the plant grows abundantly, it is considered a vegetable.
 The British species, A. sylvestris, is a tall perennial herb with large bipinnate leaves and large compound umbels of white or purple flowers.
 The common name alexanders is applied to A. atropurpurea in the United States.
 The Chinese species, Angelica sinensis, grows to about 1 m by 0.7 m. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by insects. The plant is self-fertile. The plant can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.
 Chinese angelica is produced mainly in Min County in the southeast part of Gansu and also in Shannxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou and Hubei provinces. It is dug in the late autumn. After getting rid of the rootlets and drying slightly by evaporation, the roots are tied up in bundles, placed on frame, baked dry over slow fire, sliced and used unprepared or stir-baked with wine.
 Chinese angelica root is classified into Wine Chinese Angelica, Whole Chinese Angelica, Chinese Angelica Body, Chinese Angelica Tail or Chinese Angelica Rootlet.

 Dong Quai ( Angelica sinensis ), also known as Chinese Angelica, has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. It remains one of the most popular plants in Chinese medicine, and is used primarily for health conditions in women. Dong Quai has been called "female ginseng," based on its use for gynecologic disorders such as painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea) or pelvic pain, recovery from childbirth or illness, and fatigue/low vitality. It is also given for strengthening xue (loosely translated as "the blood"), for cardiovascular conditions/high blood pressure, inflammation, headache, infections, and neuropathic (nerve) pain.
 In the late 1800s, an extract of Dong Quai called Eumenol became popular in Europe as a treatment for gynecologic complaints. Recently, interest in Dong Quai has resurged due to its proposed weak estrogen-like properties. However, it remains unclear if Dong Quai has the same effects on the body as estrogens, blocks the activity of estrogens, or has no significant hormonal effects. Results of animal studies are conflicting, and one human trial found no short-term estrogen-like effects on the body (1). Additional research is necessary in this area before a firm conclusion can be drawn.
 
 In Chinese medicine, Dong Quai is most often used in combination with other herbs. Within the Chinese medical framework, Dong Quai is used as a component of formulas for liver qi stasis and spleen deficiency. It is believed to work best in patients with a yin profile, and is considered to be a mildly warming herb. Dong Quai is thought to return the body to proper order by nourishing the blood and harmonizing vital energy. The name Dong Quai translates as "return to order" based on its alleged restorative properties.
 The part of the plant most often cultivated for medicinal use is the root, which is divided into three parts (head, body, tail). Each section is thought to have different actions within the body. For example, the tail is proposed to be best for promoting blood circulation, while the head is thought to be the worst.
 Although Dong Quai has many historical and theoretical uses based on animal studies, there is little human evidence supporting the effects of Dong Quai for any condition. Few clinical studies have been done, most of which have been either poorly designed or reported insignificant results. Most have examined combination formulas containing multiple ingredients in addition to Dong Quai, making it difficult to determine which ingredient may cause certain effects.

Reference:

• 1.Angelica Root and Its Benefit.

This article written and edited via herbalist of MDidea Extracts Professional. They run a range of online descriptions about this herb,including general information related and summarized updating discoveries from findings of professional scientisits this field related.Describe style aimed to form a useful detecting literature space where the intertwined threshold and related questions raise out and visualize themselves.

♣ last edit date:09th,Oct.2010.