Dāng Guī (当归) — Chinese Angelica Root (Dong Quai)
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Key formulas
- Modern research
- Cautions and contraindications
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Dāng Guī (当归) — Angelica sinensis — is known in English as Chinese angelica root / Dong quai. It belongs to the category of Blood tonics in the Chinese Materia Medica and is one of the most important and widely prescribed herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is used in Chinese herbal medicine both as a component of classical herbal formulas and as a significant individual herb in tailored prescriptions.
I prescribe Dāng Guī as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan — independently tested to the highest international quality and safety standards. Herbs are never prescribed individually outside a properly balanced formula; they are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Dāng Guī |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 当归 |
| Latin name | Angelica sinensis |
| English name | Chinese angelica root / Dong quai |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Sweet, acrid, bitter |
| Channels entered | Heart, Liver, Spleen |
| Category | Blood tonics |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Tonifies and invigorates Blood
- Regulates menstruation and relieves pain
- Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels
- Reduces swelling and generates flesh
- Disperses Cold and stops pain
Indications
- Blood deficiency with pallor, dizziness, palpitations and blurred vision
- Irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea and post-partum pain
- Abdominal pain from Blood deficiency or Cold stagnation
- Constipation from Blood deficiency with dry Intestines
- Chronic non-healing sores and abscesses
- Numbness of the extremities from Blood deficiency
- Fertility — nourishes and moves Blood to support endometrial development and conception
4. Key formulas containing Dāng Guī
Dāng Guī is an ingredient in many classical formulas. The following are among the most important:
See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 70 classical formulas.
5. Modern research
Angelica sinensis (Dang Gui) is one of the most extensively researched Chinese medicinal herbs. Its principal bioactive constituents include ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, polysaccharides and phthalides. Research confirms that Dang Gui promotes haematopoiesis (red blood cell production), has uterine-stimulating and uterine-relaxing effects depending on dose and preparation, inhibits platelet aggregation, exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, and has mild phyto-oestrogenic activity. Clinical research supports its use in dysmenorrhoea, menopausal symptoms, anaemia and as a component in fertility formulas for improving endometrial thickness. Ferulic acid has documented antioxidant and neuroprotective effects.
6. Cautions and contraindications
Avoid during pregnancy (as a standalone herb), in haemorrhagic conditions and in patients with diarrhoea from Spleen deficiency. The whole herb invigorates Blood strongly — the tail (Dang Gui Wei) is more moving; the body (Dang Gui Shen) is more tonifying. Use cautiously alongside blood-thinning medications.
Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe or self-administer Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM and the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Dāng Guī as part of tailored herbal formulas for a range of conditions including Irregular menstrual cycle, Fertility, Thin endometrial lining, Anaemia and fatigue. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment and adjusted throughout treatment as the pattern responds.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available for patients throughout the UK and internationally, with herbs dispensed by post. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.
Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
