Angelicae Sinensis Radix
Aliases：Gan Gui、Mawei Danggui、Qin Gui、Mawei Gui、Yun Gui、Xi Danggui、Min Danggui
Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) is a Chinese medicinal herb classified under blood-tonifying medicinals. It is the dried root of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. (family Apiaceae).
Efficacy & Actions
This product has the actions of tonifying and invigorating the Blood, regulating menstruation and relieving pain, and moistening the Intestines and unblocking the bowels.
Indications
It is indicated for sallow complexion due to Blood deficiency, dizziness and palpitations, irregular menstruation, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, abdominal pain due to deficiency-cold, rheumatic pain (Bi pain), traumatic injury, carbuncles and sores, constipation due to intestinal dryness, among others.
Modern Pharmacology
This product has the effects of promoting hematopoiesis, regulating blood pressure, inhibiting uterine smooth muscle contraction, protecting against liver injury, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, and lowering blood lipids, among others.
Ingredients
Danggui contains neutral oil components such as β-pinene, α-pinene, camphene, etc. It also contains acidic oil components including p-methylbenzyl alcohol, 5-methoxy-2,3-xylenol, as well as organic acids, sugars, vitamins, amino acids, and others.
Usage & Dosage
Decoction: 6–12 g.
Contraindications
1. Should not be used concurrently with antihypertensive drugs, as this may cause orthostatic hypotension, etc. 2. When used together with heparin, warfarin, aspirin, or other anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs, the risk of bleeding may be increased.
Selected Formulas
1.For concurrent deficiency of both Qi and Blood: Often combined with Astragali Radix (Huangqi) and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) to tonify Qi and generate Blood, as in Danggui Buxue Tang (Secrets from the Orchid Chamber) and Renshen Yangrong Tang (Treatise on Warm Epidemics). 2.For sallow complexion due to Blood deficiency, palpitations and insomnia: Often combined with Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shudihuang), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao), and Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), as in Siwu Tang (Peaceful Holy Benevolent Prescriptions). 3.For Blood deficiency and Blood stasis with irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, or dysmenorrhea: Often combined with other medicinals that tonify Blood and regulate menstruation, as in Siwu Tang (Peaceful Holy Benevolent Prescriptions). If with Qi deficiency: combine with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) and Astragali Radix (Huangqi). If with Qi stagnation: combine with Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu) and Corydalis Rhizoma (Yanhusuo). If with Blood heat: combine with Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin), Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), or Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi) and Lycii Cortex (Digupi). If with Blood stasis causing amenorrhea: combine with Persicae Semen (Taoren) and Carthami Flos (Honghua). If with Blood deficiency and cold stagnation: combine with Asini Corii Colla (Ejiao) and Artemisiae Argyi Folium (Aiye). 4.For abdominal pain due to Blood deficiency, Blood stasis, and cold congealing: Combined with Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao), and Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Shengjiang), as in Danggui Shengjiang Yangrou Tang (Synopsis of the Golden Chamber) and Danggui Jianzhong Tang (Thousand Golden Prescriptions). 5.For traumatic injury with blood stasis and pain: Combined with Olibanum (Ruxiang), Myrrha (Moyao), Persicae Semen (Taoren), and Carthami Flos (Honghua), as in Fuyuan Huoxue Tang (Medical Discoveries) and Huoluo Xiaoling Dan (Integrating Chinese and Western Medicine). 6.For early-stage sores and abscesses with swelling and pain: Combined with Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua), Paeoniae Radix Rubra (Chishao), and Trichosanthis Radix (Tianhuafen) – heat-clearing and abscess-resolving herbs – to activate Blood, reduce swelling and relieve pain, as in Xianfang Huoming Yin (Women's Good Formulas). 7.For sores and abscesses that have formed pus but fail to rupture, or that have ruptured but do not heal: Combined with Astragali Radix (Huangqi), Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), and Cinnamomi Cortex (Rougui), as in Shiquan Dabu Tang (Peaceful Holy Benevolent Prescriptions). 8.For gangrene (toe gangrene/ diabetic foot) with ulceration and damage to Yin and Blood: May be combined with Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua), Scrophulariae Radix (Yuanxuan), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), as in Simiao Yong‘an Tang (New Compilation of Effective Prescriptions). 9.For wind-cold painful obstruction (Bi syndrome) with pain and numbness of the limbs: It is appropriate to activate Blood, dispel cold and relieve pain. Often combined with Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qianghuo), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng), and Astragali Radix (Huangqi), as in Juanbi Tang (One Hundred Selected Prescriptions). 10.For constipation due to Blood deficiency and intestinal dryness: Often combined with Cistanches Herba (Roucongrong), Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi), and Cimicifugae Rhizoma (Shengma), as in Jichuan Jian (The Complete Works of Jingyue).
Daily Consumption
1. Danggui Egg Tea Ingredients: Danggui 5g, egg 1, red dates 3, brown sugar to taste Preparation: Simmer Danggui and dates for 20 min. Add egg (or a hard‑boiled egg, shelled, then simmered again) and brown sugar, cook another 5 min. Benefits: Nourishes blood, activates circulation, regulates menstruation, relieves dizziness due to blood deficiency. 2. Danggui Ginger Lamb Soup Ingredients: Danggui 10g, fresh ginger 15g, lamb 200g, salt Preparation: Blanch lamb. Stew with Danggui and ginger for 1.5 hours. Add salt. Benefits: Warms yang, dispels cold, nourishes blood, tonifies deficiency. Suitable for cold intolerance and cold hands/feet. 3. Danggui Goji Tea Ingredients: Danggui 5g, goji berries 10g, red dates 2 Preparation: Steep in boiling water or boil for 10 minutes. Drink as tea. Benefits: Tonifies blood, nourishes the liver, brightens eyes and skin. 4. Danggui Astragalus Chicken Soup Ingredients: Danggui 10g, Astragalus 15g, chicken 200g, ginger slices Preparation: Blanch chicken. Stew with herbs for 1.5 hours. Add salt. Benefits: Tonifies both Qi and blood. Good for fatigue and sallow complexion. 5. Basic Danggui Decoction Ingredients: Danggui 6-10g Preparation: Boil in 300 ml water for 15-20 minutes. May add red dates or brown sugar. Benefits: Simple blood‑nourishing and activating effect. Used for dysmenorrhea and irregular menstruation due to blood deficiency. Tips Dietary dosage: 3‑10 g per day. Contraindications: Heavy menstrual flow, bleeding tendency, pregnancy; also avoid during febrile illness with heat signs (dry mouth, constipation, red tongue with yellow coating). Taste: Slightly bitter; can be masked with red dates, longan, or brown sugar.
Medicinal Parts
Root
Selection & Storage
Store Danggui in a cool (<25°C), dry, well-ventilated place, in an airtight container away from light. For short-term use (weeks), seal and refrigerate (0-8°C). For long-term storage, vacuum-seal and freeze (<0°C). Sliced roots are more perishable; seal tightly and use quickly. Discard if mold, insects, or rancid smell appear.