Chinese Angelica Root (Danggui)
| Pharmaceutical Name: | Radix Angelicae sinensis |
| Botanical Name: | Angelica sinensis (oliv.) Diels. |
| Common Name: | Chinese Angelica root |
| Source of Earliest Record: | Shennong Bencao Jing |
| art Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: | The roots are dug in late autumn. After the fibrous roots have been removed, the roots are laced, or smoked, with sulfur and cut into slices. |
| Properties and Taste: | Sweet, pungent, and warm |
| Meridian: | Liver, heart and spleen |
| Functions: | To replenish blood To invigorate blood and stop pain To moisten the intestines |
| Indications and Combinations: | 1. Syndrome due to deficiency of blood. *Use with White peony root (Baishao), Prepared rehmannia root (Shudihuang) and Astragalus root (Huangqi) in the formula Siwu Tang or Danggui Buxue Tang. 2. Irregular menstruation. *Use with Prepared rehmannia root (Shudihuang), White peony root (Baishao) and Chuanxiong rhizome (Chuanxiong) in the formula Siwu Tang. 3. Dysmenorrhea. *Use with Cyperus tuber (Xiangfu), Corydalis tuber (Yanhusuo) and Motherwort (Yimucao). 4. Amenorrhea. *Use with Peach seed (Taoren) and Safflower (Honghua). 5. Uterine bleeding. *Use with Donkey hide gelatin (Ejiao), Mugwort lead (Aiye) and Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang). 6. Pains due to stagnation of blood: a) Pain caused by external injuries. *Use with Safflower (Honghua), Peach seed (Taoren), Frankincense (Ruxiang) and Myrrh (Moyao). b) Pain caused by carbuncles and furuncles. *Use with Moutan bark (Mudanpi), Red peony root (Chishao), Honeysuckle flower (Jinyinhua) and Forsythia fruit (Lianqiao). c) Postpartum abdominal pain. *Use with Motherwort (Yimucao), Peach seed (Taoren) and Chuanxiong) rhizome (Chuanxiong). d) Wind-damp obstruction (rheumatic pain). *Use with Cinnamon twigs (Guizhi), Spatholobus stem (Jixueteng) and White peony root (Baishao). 7. Constipation dye to dryness in the intestines. *Use with Cistanche (Roucongrong) and Hemp seed (Huomaren). |
| Dosage: | 5-15 g |
| Cautions: | The head of the herb is more effective for nourishing blood; The tail is good for moving blood; and the body is used to invigorate and nourish blood. Chinese angelica root (Danggui), when mixed with wine, can enhance the function of invigorating blood. It is contraindicated in cases of excessive dampness in the stomach and spleen, and of diarrhea or loose stool. |