Dong Quai Benefits, Uses, Side Effects According to Ayurveda

Metabolic Nature of Dong Quai

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.
Find Out More

CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
Find Out More

PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.
Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.
Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.
The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.
Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.
Find Out More

PACIFIES

AGGRAVATES

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.
Find Out More

PACIFIES

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry metabolic nature. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

AGGRAVATES

CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot & moist. Full-blooded, vigorous. Vivacious, social, and epicurean. Bullish.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

Other

Subtaste:

Acrid

ACRID

Acrid taste is a combination of bitter and pungent tastes. Example include radish, turnip, and coffee.

SEE ALL 'ACRID' FOODS / HERBS

Aromatic

AROMATIC

Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.

SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

Affinity:

Anti Aging

ANTI-AGING

Geriatric conditions typically involve low agni / metabolism, poor circulation, weakness & debility, muscle weakening, poor digestion, a drop in sex hormones, and connective tissue degradation in bones & skin.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-AGING' FOODS / HERBS

, Heart Circulation Blood, Liver Gallbladder, Respiratory Health,

Skin Care

SKIN-CARE

Includes skin care, and anything that nourishes epithelial membranes (of digestive, respiratory, urinary tract, blood vessels, etc).

SEE ALL 'SKIN-CARE' FOODS / HERBS

Family:

Apiaceae

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Dong Quai
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)

Digestion:

Carminative

CARMINATIVE

Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines.

SEE ALL 'CARMINATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Cleanse & Detox:

Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Mind, Stress & Sleep:

Analgesic

ANALGESIC

Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.

SEE ALL 'ANALGESIC' FOODS / HERBS

Anticholinergic

ANTICHOLINERGIC

Anticholinergic herbs block the action of acetylecholine. This affecgs many systems of the body, including relaxing smooth muscle spasms and dilating bronchial tubes. Many anticholinergic herbs are nightshades that can be fatal if used incorrectly.

SEE ALL 'ANTICHOLINERGIC' FOODS / HERBS

Boosts Gaba

BOOSTS-GABA

GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, reduces nerve excitability. It is the body's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. Thus, it promotes relaxation, calm, and sleep.

SEE ALL 'BOOSTS-GABA' FOODS / HERBS

Nervine

NERVINE

Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.

SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

Energy Vitality:

Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

Skin Care & Beauty:

Antifibrotic

ANTIFIBROTIC

Fibrosis of an organ is often a progressive leading to organ failure (i.e lungs, liver, kidney). While vulneraries usually help restore collagen, antifibrotic herbs often clear collagen. Aka fibrinolytic.

SEE ALL 'ANTIFIBROTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Photosensitizing

PHOTOSENSITIZING

Causes sensitivity to ultaviolet light - useful in psoriasis and cancers.

SEE ALL 'PHOTOSENSITIZING' FOODS / HERBS

Respiratory-Health:

Bronchodilator

BRONCHODILATOR

An herb that encourages the widening or opening of the lung airways. They are helpful in wheezing and asthma.

SEE ALL 'BRONCHODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

Expectorant

EXPECTORANT

Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract.

SEE ALL 'EXPECTORANT' FOODS / HERBS

Immune System:

Adaptogen

ADAPTOGEN

Herbs that promote stabilization of physiological processes and homeostasis. Adaptogens increase the body's ability to resist the damaging effects of stress and promote or restore normal physiological functioning.

SEE ALL 'ADAPTOGEN' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

Anticarcinogenic

ANTICARCINOGENIC

Herbs that inhibit or prevent the activity of a carcinogen or the development of cancer.

SEE ALL 'ANTICARCINOGENIC' FOODS / HERBS

Immune Calming

IMMUNE-CALMING

Herbs that interrupt an allergic reaction or calm the immune system, useful in allergies and autoimmune conditions.

SEE ALL 'IMMUNE-CALMING' FOODS / HERBS

Heart & Circulation:

Calms Heart

CALMS-HEART

An herb that literally calms the heart. These herbs are helpful in the treatment of anxiety, sadness, depression, or other emotional imbalances in the heart. Related to the Chinese Herbal Category 'calms spirit.'

SEE ALL 'CALMS-HEART' FOODS / HERBS

Cardiac Stimulant

CARDIAC-STIMULANT

Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.

SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

Calcium Channel Blocker

STRONG CALCIUM-CHANNEL-BLOCKER

Reduces blood pressure by relaxing smooth muscle tissue. Blocking calcium (Ca2+) inhibits smooth muscle contraction.

SEE ALL 'CALCIUM-CHANNEL-BLOCKER' FOODS / HERBS

Antioxidant

ANTIOXIDANT

An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals that lead to a chain reaction causing damage or death to cells. Antioxidants terminate these oxidation reactions.

SEE ALL 'ANTIOXIDANT' FOODS / HERBS

Antiplatelet

ANTIPLATELET

An herb that inhibits clotting, dissolves clots, thins the blood, or destroys platelets, therefore reducing the tendency of blood to form clots. They are useful in cardiovascular disease, clots, and stroke. Aka anticoagulant.

SEE ALL 'ANTIPLATELET' FOODS / HERBS

Blood Thinner

BLOOD-THINNER

Herbs that thin the blood. Helpful for people with heart disease or clogged circulation.

SEE ALL 'BLOOD-THINNER' FOODS / HERBS

Blood Tonic

BLOOD-TONIC

An herb that produces more blood cells in the body, or otherwise improves blood cell quality or hemoglobin content. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency.

SEE ALL 'BLOOD-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Hypotensive

HYPOTENSIVE

An herb that lowers blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'HYPOTENSIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Vasodilator

VASODILATOR

A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.

SEE ALL 'VASODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

Vessel Tonic

VESSEL-TONIC

An herb that improves the tone and integrity of blood vessel walls. This is helpful in easy bruising.

SEE ALL 'VESSEL-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Liver & Gallbladder:

Hepatoprotective

HEPATOPROTECTIVE

An herb that is capable of preventing liver damage. Many hepatoprotectives work via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

SEE ALL 'HEPATOPROTECTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Weight Loss:

Hypolipidemic

HYPOLIPIDEMIC

Scrapes fats / cleanses blood vessels by 1) purging bile, 2) strengthening the liver's ability to metabolize fats, 3) by increasing uptake of cholesterol in the liver, and 4) by inhibiting fat cells.

SEE ALL 'HYPOLIPIDEMIC' FOODS / HERBS

Reproductive Health:

Anti Prolactin

ANTI-PROLACTIN

Reduces prolactin, a female hormone that suppresses the uterus, fertility, menstruation.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-PROLACTIN' FOODS / HERBS

Emmenagogue

EMMENAGOGUE

Herbs which stimulate menstruation. Emmenagogues are used for scanty menstruation, to relieve menstrual pain, and improve blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus.

SEE ALL 'EMMENAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Estrogenic

ESTROGENIC

Increases estrogen, helpful in menopause. Estrogen is anabolic and increases muscle growth, bone density, and moisture.

SEE ALL 'ESTROGENIC' FOODS / HERBS

Stimulant Parturient

STIMULANT-PARTURIENT

Used to induce labor when labor is stalled due to weak or ineffective contractions. Includes both stimulants and oxytocic parturients.

SEE ALL 'STIMULANT-PARTURIENT' FOODS / HERBS

Uterine Stimulant

UTERINE-STIMULANT

Causes contractions in the uterus often by stimulating production of oxytocin. These herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy.

SEE ALL 'UTERINE-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

Uterine Tonic

UTERINE-TONIC

An herb that tonifies and strengthens the uterus. Helpful for menstrual difficulties and fertility. Often herbs that increase ojas, but also circulation to reproductive system.

SEE ALL 'UTERINE-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Strength, Muscle Health:

Muscle Relaxant

MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

Relieves Tension

RELIEVES-TENSION

An herb that releases tightness, constriction, and rigidity in a muscle.

SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-TENSION' FOODS / HERBS

Antispasmodic

ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, hear palpitations, migraine, or IBS.

SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Other:

Coumarin

Constituents:

Essential Oil,

Nitric Oxide

NITRIC-OXIDE

Improves circulation by dilating blood vessels. Protects blood vessels from damage. Improves athletic performance, libido, immunity, and brain health.

SEE ALL 'NITRIC-OXIDE' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Dong Quai

Turmeric

Turmeric has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Blood-thinner, Carminative, Hepatoprotective, Internal-detoxicant, Anticarcinogenic, Antiplatelet, Blood-tonic, Digestive, Hypolipidemic, Vasodilator, Analgesic, Antifibrotic, Antispasmodic, Calcium-channel-blocker, Emmenagogue, Immune-calming
LEARN MORE
Ginger (Fresh)

Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common
Nervine, Analgesic, Antiplatelet, Calcium-channel-blocker, Digestive, Hypotensive, Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Hepatoprotective, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Antifibrotic, Blood-thinner, Carminative, Hypolipidemic
LEARN MORE
Turmeric Root (Fresh)

Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common
Analgesic, Antifibrotic, Blood-tonic, Emmenagogue, Immune-calming, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Carminative, Hepatoprotective, Internal-detoxicant, Anticarcinogenic, Antiplatelet, Digestive, Hypolipidemic
LEARN MORE
Sage

Sage has these Actions in Common
Anti-prolactin, Emmenagogue, Immune-calming, Stimulant-parturient, Bronchodilator, Estrogenic, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Analgesic, Digestive, Expectorant, Nervine, Uterine-stimulant
LEARN MORE
Rosemary

Rosemary has these Actions in Common
Bronchodilator, Emmenagogue, Muscle-relaxant, Vasodilator, Anticarcinogenic, Cardiac-stimulant, Immune-calming, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Analgesic
LEARN MORE
Mustard

Mustard has these Actions in Common
Expectorant, Relieves-tension, Bronchodilator, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Analgesic, Cardiac-stimulant, Emmenagogue, Muscle-relaxant, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Carminative
LEARN MORE
Mustard Seed

Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common
Cardiac-stimulant, Emmenagogue, Muscle-relaxant, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Expectorant, Relieves-tension, Bronchodilator, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Analgesic
LEARN MORE
Mustard Powder

Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common
Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Expectorant, Relieves-tension, Bronchodilator, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Analgesic, Cardiac-stimulant, Emmenagogue, Muscle-relaxant
LEARN MORE
Nigella (black cumin)

Nigella (black cumin) has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Cardiac-stimulant, Hypotensive, Stimulates-energy, Anticarcinogenic, Carminative, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Digestive, Nervine
LEARN MORE
Hing (Asafoetida)

Hing (Asafoetida) has these Actions in Common
Antispasmodic, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Bronchodilator, Emmenagogue, Nervine, Analgesic, Carminative, Expectorant, Stimulates-energy
LEARN MORE
Chamomile

Chamomile has these Actions in Common
Boosts-gaba, Emmenagogue, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Immune-calming, Analgesic, Blood-thinner, Digestive, Nervine, Anti-inflammatory
LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Dong Quai

Angelica

Angelica has these Actions in Common
Antioxidant, Emmenagogue, Stimulates-energy, Antiplatelet, Expectorant, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Hepatoprotective, Blood-thinner, Hypolipidemic, Bronchodilator, Hypotensive, Calcium-channel-blocker, Immune-calming, Analgesic, Anticarcinogenic, Cardiac-stimulant, Nervine, Anticholinergic, Digestive, Stimulant-parturient
LEARN MORE
Ginkgo

Ginkgo has these Actions in Common
Bronchodilator, Vessel-tonic, Analgesic, Hepatoprotective, Anti-inflammatory, Hypolipidemic, Antifibrotic, Hypotensive, Antioxidant, Immune-calming, Antiplatelet, Internal-detoxicant, Blood-thinner, Nervine, Boosts-gaba, Vasodilator
LEARN MORE
Eleuthero Ginseng

Eleuthero Ginseng has these Actions in Common
Adaptogen, Hepatoprotective, Analgesic, Hypolipidemic, Anti-inflammatory, Hypotensive, Anticarcinogenic, Internal-detoxicant, Antispasmodic, Muscle-relaxant, Blood-tonic, Nervine, Digestive, Relieves-tension, Expectorant, Stimulates-energy
LEARN MORE
Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common
Bronchodilator, Nervine, Cardiac-stimulant, Stimulates-energy, Emmenagogue, Vasodilator, Adaptogen, Expectorant, Anti-inflammatory, Hypolipidemic, Antispasmodic, Immune-calming, Blood-tonic, Internal-detoxicant, Boosts-gaba, Muscle-relaxant
LEARN MORE
Motherwort

Motherwort has these Actions in Common
Calms-heart, Uterine-stimulant, Estrogenic, Vessel-tonic, Hypotensive, Analgesic, Immune-calming, Anti-inflammatory, Muscle-relaxant, Antifibrotic, Nervine, Antiplatelet, Relieves-tension, Antispasmodic, Stimulant-parturient
LEARN MORE
Yogaraj Guggulu

Yogaraj Guggulu has these Actions in Common
Blood-thinner, Relieves-tension, Cardiac-stimulant, Vasodilator, Carminative, Emmenagogue, Analgesic, Hypolipidemic, Anti-inflammatory, Internal-detoxicant, Antiplatelet, Muscle-relaxant, Antispasmodic, Nervine
LEARN MORE
Hawthorne Berry & Flower

Hawthorne Berry & Flower has these Actions in Common
Calms-heart, Digestive, Hypolipidemic, Anti-inflammatory, Hypotensive, Antifibrotic, Immune-calming, Antioxidant, Internal-detoxicant, Antiplatelet, Vasodilator, Blood-thinner, Vessel-tonic
LEARN MORE
Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common
Boosts-gaba, Adaptogen, Immune-calming, Analgesic, Muscle-relaxant, Anti-inflammatory, Nervine, Anticarcinogenic, Relieves-tension, Antioxidant, Uterine-tonic, Antispasmodic, Blood-tonic
LEARN MORE
Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru)

Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru) has these Actions in Common
Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Digestive, Immune-calming, Analgesic, Muscle-relaxant, Anti-inflammatory, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Stimulates-energy, Bronchodilator, Vasodilator
LEARN MORE
Yarrow

Yarrow has these Actions in Common
Blood-thinner, Carminative, Estrogenic, Immune-calming, Analgesic, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Uterine-stimulant, Anti-prolactin, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Vessel-tonic
LEARN MORE

Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis)

Table of Contents

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Nourishes Blood, and Promotes Flow

Relaxes Nervous System, Calms Spasms

Relaxes Immune System

Compare With

Suggested Use