Radix Angelica
The foremost herb for women's health in TCM — Angelica sinensis nourishes Blood, invigorates circulation, and regulates the menstrual cycle with warming, aromatic grace.
What Is Radix Angelica?
Radix Angelica (当归, Dāng Guī) — Angelica sinensis — is one of the most celebrated herbs in the Chinese materia medica and is often called the 'female ginseng' for its profound affinity with Blood, the menstrual cycle, and women's health. The sweet, acrid, warm root acts on the Liver, Heart, and Spleen channels, performing a rare dual function: it both nourishes (补血) and invigorates (活血) the Blood simultaneously, making it suitable for both deficiency and stagnation patterns. The whole root is used, but different parts have traditionally been considered to have somewhat different emphasis — the head (归头) stops bleeding, the body (归身) nourishes Blood, and the tail (归尾) invigorates Blood and disperses stasis.
Dāng Guī is the chief herb of the classical formula Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction), the foundational Blood-nourishing prescription that underpins hundreds of derivative formulas for gynaecological conditions. Beyond its gynaecological applications, it is used for pain from Blood stasis, traumatic injuries, carbuncles, constipation from Blood deficiency, and numbing of the extremities. Modern research has confirmed oestrogenic activity (phytoestrogens), anti-inflammatory effects, anticoagulant properties, and haematopoietic stimulation — all consistent with its classical roles.
History & Origin
Dāng Guī has been the cornerstone of women's medicine in China for over two thousand years, and its name — meaning 'return to proper place' or 'should return' — reflects its foundational role in restoring the body's Blood and reproductive balance.
Traditional Uses
Menstrual Irregularity & Dysmenorrhoea
The premier herb for regulating the menstrual cycle, relieving painful periods, and treating scanty, absent, or irregular menstruation from Blood deficiency or stasis.
Blood Deficiency Syndromes
Nourishes Liver Blood to relieve pallor, dizziness, palpitations, blurred vision, and fatigue in patterns of blood insufficiency.
Post-Partum Recovery
Replenishes Blood lost during childbirth, warms the uterus, and disperses post-partum stasis to relieve lochia retention and abdominal pain.
Pain from Blood Stasis
Invigorates Blood circulation and disperses stasis to relieve fixed, stabbing pain in the abdomen, chest, or limbs from blood stagnation.
Traumatic Injury & Carbuncles
Promotes Blood movement to support healing of traumatic injuries and resolve carbuncles or abscesses by reducing stasis and swelling.
Constipation from Blood Deficiency
Moistens the intestines with its oily nature to relieve dry, difficult bowel movements in patients with underlying Blood or Yin deficiency.
Health Benefits
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Nourishes & Invigorates BloodSimultaneously builds Blood deficiency and moves Blood stasis — a rare dual action that makes it the foundational herb for both deficiency and stagnation patterns.
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Regulates the Menstrual CycleHarmonises menstruation by addressing both Blood deficiency and stasis, relieving irregular periods, painful cramps, and scanty flow.
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Relieves Pain from StasisWarms and moves stagnant Blood to relieve fixed, stabbing pain in gynaecological, abdominal, and traumatic injury contexts.
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Moistens the IntestinesIts natural oil content lubricates the bowels to relieve constipation in Blood-deficient patients without harsh purgation.
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Phytoestrogenic SupportModern research confirms oestrogenic compounds that may support hormonal balance, menopausal comfort, and bone health in women.
The information on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products.
