Dang Gui: The TCM Herb for Blood Nourishment and Menstrual Relief
- Hongji Medical
- Jun 5
- 4 min read
Dang Gui, also known as Angelica sinensis or Chinese Angelica, is the dried root of a plant from the Apiaceae family. Renowned in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as the "holy herb for women," it is celebrated for its ability to nourish blood, promote blood circulation, regulate menstruation, relieve pain, and ease constipation.
Its earliest mention is in the Shennong Bencao Jing (Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica), where it is listed as a top-grade herb. It was noted for treating cough, warming the stomach, relieving pain, addressing blood stagnation, and healing ulcers and wounds.
Over time, Chinese medical scholars, such as Li Shizhen in the Ming Dynasty, expanded on Dang Gui’s uses in his Compendium of Materia Medica. He described its appearance, growing regions, and effects, including harmonizing and nourishing blood, relieving dryness, lubricating the intestines, reducing swelling, and alleviating pain.
Later texts like Bencao Beiyao and Bencao Zhengyi further refined its applications, broadening its clinical use.
Properties of Dang Gui
Nature and Channels
Taste: Sweet, pungent
Nature: Warm
Channels: Liver, Heart, Spleen
Key Components
Dang Gui contains volatile oils, ferulic acid, polysaccharides, and other active compounds that contribute to its medicinal effects.
Main Benefits
Nourishes and activates blood
Regulates menstruation and relieves pain
Lubricates the intestines to promote bowel movements
Pharmacological Effects
Modern studies suggest Dang Gui has anti-anemia, anti-thrombotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immune-regulating properties.
Clinical Uses of Dang Gui
Dang Gui is widely used in TCM to address various conditions:
Nourishing and Activating Blood: Dang Gui nourishes blood and resolves stagnation, making it effective for irregular menstruation, painful periods, pale complexion, dizziness, and palpitations due to blood deficiency or stagnation.
Regulating Menstruation and Relieving Pain: It helps manage irregular periods, amenorrhea, and menstrual pain.
Lubricating Intestines: Rich in oils, Dang Gui relieves constipation caused by blood deficiency and intestinal dryness.
Other Uses: It is used for treating injuries from falls, bruises, and abscesses.
Specific Benefits
Menstrual Health: Dang Gui regulates menstruation and reduces period pain, improving symptoms of irregular or painful periods.
Anemia Relief: It supports blood production, helping alleviate dizziness and fatigue caused by anemia.
Dang Gui in Classic TCM Formulas
Dang Gui is often combined with other herbs in TCM formulas to enhance its effects. Here are some examples:
Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction): Contains Dang Gui, Ligusticum, Peony, and Rehmannia. It nourishes blood and regulates menstruation, commonly used for irregular periods and menstrual pain due to blood deficiency.
Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang (Dang Gui Decoction to Tonify Blood): Combines Dang Gui and Astragalus to boost qi and blood, treating conditions caused by qi and blood deficiency.
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang (Peach Kernel and Safflower Four Substances Decoction): Includes Dang Gui, Ligusticum, Peony, Rehmannia, Peach Kernel, and Safflower. It activates blood, resolves stagnation, and nourishes blood, used for menstrual issues caused by blood stasis.
Comparison with Similar Herbs
Dang Gui shares some effects with other TCM herbs but has unique strengths:
Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang): Nourishes yin and blood but is more moisturizing and better suited for kidney yin deficiency, unlike Dang Gui’s focus on blood nourishment and circulation.
Peony (Bai Shao): Nourishes blood and soothes the liver, focusing more on calming liver-related issues compared to Dang Gui’s blood-activating properties.
Ligusticum (Chuan Xiong): Promotes blood and qi circulation and relieves pain, with a stronger focus on resolving qi stagnation than Dang Gui.
Modern Applications and Research
Modern research highlights Dang Gui’s diverse benefits:
Anti-Anemia: Dang Gui promotes red blood cell production, increasing hemoglobin levels to combat anemia.
Anti-Thrombotic: It inhibits platelet aggregation, reducing the risk of blood clots.
Anti-Inflammatory: Dang Gui reduces inflammation by suppressing inflammatory mediators.
Analgesic: It helps relieve pain, offering natural pain relief.
Immune Regulation: It enhances the body’s immune function, improving resistance to illness.
Antioxidant: Dang Gui neutralizes free radicals, supporting anti-aging efforts.
Beyond TCM, Dang Gui is used in treating cardiovascular diseases, neurological conditions, and immune disorders. Studies suggest it may aid in managing coronary heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
How to Use Dang Gui Safely
Dosage
Typical dose: 6–12 grams, adjusted based on condition and doctor’s advice.
Precautions
Contraindications: Use cautiously in cases of damp-heat conditions.
Drug Interactions: No major known interactions.
Usage Tips: Can be boiled in decoctions, steeped in wine, or added to food.
Processing: Dang Gui comes in various forms (whole, body, tail, or wine-processed), each with specific uses depending on the condition.
Menstrual Caution
Use Dang Gui cautiously during menstruation, as it may increase bleeding or prolong periods.
Conclusion
Dang Gui is a versatile and powerful herb in TCM, valued for nourishing blood, regulating menstruation, relieving pain, and easing constipation. Its applications span women’s health, anemia, and injury recovery, with growing use in modern medicine for cardiovascular and immune support. To ensure safe and effective use, consult a TCM practitioner for guidance on dosage, preparation, and suitability.
