Angelica root, commonly known as dong quai, is a revered herb with ancient ties to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
The root of this medicinal herb is used for a wide range of health conditions.
Traditionally, angelica was used to manage blood deficiency complications, reduce pain, support women’s issues, and aid the intestines.
This article will look at the health benefits of angelica root, its safety, and history.
Table of Contents
What is Angelica Root?
Angelica root is the highly-revered, therapeutic part of the Angelica plant. The herb is best known for its fragrant scent and spicy, warming energy.
The scientific name for angelica is Angelica sinensis. It’s a popular herb in TCM where it has been used for thousands of years.
The angelica plant has been used in traditional medicine to increase blood circulation, support gynecological issues, and regulate the immune system. Traditional accounts also mention that it was used as an expectorant (a way to clear mucus from the airway and lungs).
Modern accounts suggest that angelica root supports menopausal, menstruation, and other gynecological symptoms, relieves constipation, and manages blood and blood vessel issues.
Angelica root’s active constituents are thought be responsible for these health-boosting effects, including:
- Ferulic acid
- Z-ligustilide
- And polysaccharides
While Angelica’s root is the only medicinal part of the plant, the seed, flower, and fruit of other Angelica species are sometimes used for therapeutic purposes.
Health Benefits of Angelica Root:
Traditional medicine systems and contemporary herbalists have observed a variety of angelica root benefits. Below are the top research-backed benefits of angelica root.
1. May Support Gynecological Issues
Clinical trials and traditional evidence note that angelica may be a beneficial herbal remedy to help treat female hormonal issues.
Gynecology is the study of female biology and diseases that often affect the reproductive organs like the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and vulva. These organs produce eggs, sex hormones, and support a fertilized egg until birth.
While multiple clinical human studies have observed angelica’s effect on menopausal symptoms and issues with menstruation, none have concluded that the herb alone has significant therapeutic effects.
However, multiple studies have found that taking angelica in combination with other herbs has significant benefits for gynecological complications.
In a study observing the formula Dang Gui Buxue Tang (5 parts astragalus root and 1 part angelica root), women with menopausal symptoms experienced fewer and less severe hot flashes.
A double blind trial involving women experiencing severe hot flashes and night sweats discovered that Dang Gui Buxue Tang reduced both the severity and frequency of symptoms.
Another clinical trial observing Dang Gui Buxue Tang concluded that the formula improved the quality of life for women managing menopausal symptoms.
A clinical study involving Si-Wu Tang, another traditional Chinese formula that includes angelica, discovered that the formula provided therapeutic effects against various menstrual disorders. The trial concluded that the herbs’ antioxidant effects may be responsible for these results.
The American Botanical Council suggests the use of dong quai for complex gynecological issues. These issues include uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, and infertility. The herb may “help broaden therapeutic options for women beyond hormone replacement therapies and hysterectomies.”
In the King’s American Dispensatory, Dr. Felter & Lloyd discuss Angelica archangelica and its ability to stimulate menstruation. They mention that it “promote[s] the menstrual discharge.”
Herbalist Rosemary Gladstar mentions in her book Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health that dong quai is excellent for “strengthening and balancing the uterus.” She writes that it is “recommended for almost any gynecological imbalance…[especially] menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea, and delay or absent menses,” and explains that it has no hormonal action but regulates hormones through its effect on the liver and endocrine system.
The European Medicines Agency writes “in the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China (1977), [Angelica sinensis root] was used to…regulate menstruation…and relieve pain in menstrual disorders such as irregular menstrual cycle, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and other gynecological disorders.”
In the medical text Medicinal Herbs in Primary Care, Dr. Jean M. Bokelmann describes angelica as helpful for “treating abnormal menstruation and other women’s diseases.”
Summary:
Both clinical research and traditional herbalists suggest that angelica root may work to support gynecological and menstrual issues.
2. May Support Vascular & Blood Issues
A few scientific animal trials and traditional evidence conclude that angelica root may support blood and vascular conditions.
Research shows that poor circulation and issues with the vascular system can lead to heart disease. Natural herbs like angelica root may support healthy blood flow and tone blood vessels decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
A review of dong quai noted that it inhibits the formation of plaque on artery walls. It achieves this effect by reducing triglyceride levels in the bloodstream. It also mentions that angelica root and one of its main active constituents, Z-Ligustilide, exhibit an anti-platelet aggregation effect. This can help to prevent blood clots.
An animal study found that Z-ligustilide and ferulic acid worked to increase blood flow and reduced incidences of cerebral in