Herb module
Dang Gui
Dong QuaiAngelica sinensis
The beloved warming root that nourishes and moves the Blood. It appears across three Zoi formulas.
Dang Gui is one of the best-known herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is a warm, fragrant root that both builds up the Blood and keeps it flowing smoothly. Zoi includes it in Pain Release™, Women's Health | Ríza™, and Heart Meridian™. In these formulas it is used to nourish, warm, and ease, and it is especially valued for supporting a comfortable menstrual cycle.
Best functions
- Traditionally used to nourish and invigorate the Blood
- Used to regulate the menstrual cycle
- Warms the body and disperses Cold
- Helps ease aches and cramping
- Moistens the intestines to keep the bowels moving
Fascinating facts
- Dang Gui appears in three different Zoi formulas, more than either of its companion herbs here.
- Dang Gui is fondly called 'the empress of Blood tonics.' It is remembered as an herb that builds Blood, moves it, and warms it.
- Research has looked at Angelica sinensis and its effects on blood flow and vascular function, and studies suggest it may relax smooth muscle in the uterus.
- Dang Gui is so closely tied to women's wellbeing that it is often nicknamed 'female ginseng'.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine
Dang Gui is warm in nature, with a sweet and pungent flavor. It enters the Heart, Liver, and Spleen channels, and it is a Blood-regulating herb.
Biomedical deep dive
Dang Gui Dong Quai
From the Zoi Medicinals fact sheets’ Biomedical Details, with lines from Noa’s herb notes marked “Noa’s notes”.
On the fact sheet
- Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) is warm and enters the LIV, HT, and SP meridians; tonifies and invigorates Blood, regulates menstruation, disperses Cold, and alleviates pain. Pain Release sheet
- Dang Gui (Angelica Root, Angelicae sinensis) is warm and enters the HT, LIV and SP meridians; tonifies Blood and regulates the menses, invigorates the Blood and disperses Cold, moistens the intestines and unblock bowels, reduces swelling, expels pus, generates flesh, alleviates pain, and stops cough. Women’s Health | Ríza · Heart Meridian · sheets
Key active constituents
- Ligustilide, its major constituent (shared with Chuan Xiong), per the Pain Release sheet.
Pharmacology and mechanisms
- Ligustilide inhibits platelet aggregation (clumping), relaxes blood vessels and muscles, and may help restore circulation.
- Animal and other studies suggest Angelica has hormone-regulating properties, which may explain benefits for PMS, menstrual and menopausal symptoms.
- Angelica has been shown to have antispasmodic effects and to improve microcirculation in the uterine wall.
- Angelica has anti-inflammatory properties, per the Ríza sheet.
- The Heart Meridian sheet says it is protective of the heart and against cardiac remodeling (harmful changes to heart shape and fibrosis).
- With Ji Xue Teng it nourishes blood and supports circulation during injury and recovery, per the Pain Release sheet.
- Ferulic acid gives weak phytoestrogen activity (gently modulates estrogen receptors). Noa’s notes
- Antispasmodic on uterine smooth muscle; studied for menstrual cramps. Noa’s notes
- Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant; inhibits platelet aggregation. Noa’s notes
- Improves circulation and is described as anti-thrombotic (discouraging clot formation). Noa’s notes
- Hormonal regulation for menstrual health. Noa’s notes
- Mild laxative effect. Noa’s notes
What the research says
- Ligustilide and other Dang Gui components were studied for relaxing vessels and improving blood flow (Chen et al., Am J Chin Med 2011; Wei et al., Phytother Res 2016).
- Angelica showed hormone-regulating, antispasmodic and uterine microcirculation effects in reviewed studies (Dietz et al., Pharmacol Rev 2016).
- Research shows protective effects against myocardial infarction (heart attack), fibrosis and arteriosclerosis, plus improved cardiac function (Chen et al., Molecules 2024).
- Angelica also shows a positive impact on blood pressure and blood lipid levels (Chen et al., Molecules 2024).
Safety, interactions and cautions
- Every Zoi fact sheet: do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding unless directed by your health care practitioner.
- The Pain Release fact sheet cautions using it with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines (such as warfarin, aspirin or clopidogrel), because several of its herbs promote circulation and may add to their effect.
- The Pain Release fact sheet notes the formula contains several blood-invigorating herbs (circulation-moving herbs).
- MAJOR interaction: contraindicated with warfarin. Noa’s notes
- Potentiates (adds to) antiplatelet drugs; caution with bleeding disorders or anticoagulants. Noa’s notes
- Avoid in early pregnancy (first trimester case by case). Noa’s notes
- Use with caution in heavy menstrual bleeding. Noa’s notes
- Caution with diarrhea or abdominal distention. Noa’s notes
In these Zoi formulas
- ★ Women’s Health | Ríza (#3 on the fact sheet)
- Pain Release (#6 on the fact sheet)
- Heart Meridian (#8 on the fact sheet)
