Apiaceae · root
Dong quai
Angelica sinensis
Root mapped as Dang Gui: nourishes and moves blood in gynecologic and constraint-with-blood-vacuity pictures.
Safety first
Pregnancy avoid (moving-blood language). Bleeding and photosensitivity cautions. Apiaceae phototoxic furanocoumarins possible. Not a hormone.
Tradition vs trials
Traditional record. Bensky: Dang Gui is the chief blood-nourishing herb of many gynecologic formulas including Xiao Yao San.
Trial literature. Menopausal monotherapy trials are mixed-to-negative. Traditional pattern mapping is the honest tag.
Practical ranges
Educational ranges — not a prescription. Culinary use is not an extract.
root in formulas
Pharmacopoeia decoction ranges of several grams in formulas
Chinese Pharmacopoeia / Bensky — Educational range only — not a prescription. A licensed clinician individualizes product, dose, and duration.
Pregnancy, nursing, children
- Pregnancy. Avoid.
- Nursing. Avoid unsupervised.
- Children. Insufficient reliable data; avoid unless a clinician directs otherwise.
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- heavy bleeding as sole care
- known photosensitivity plus large doses
Key interactions
- anticoagulants / antiplatelets · caution
Bleeding caution.
- hormonal therapies · note
Not HRT; still a clinician conversation.