Herb Root (根 gēn)

Dang Gui

Chinese Angelica root · 当归

Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels · Radix Angelicae Sinensis

Also known as: Dong Quai, Tang Kuei, Tang Kui,

Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica root) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Often called the most important herb for women's health in Chinese medicine, Dāng Guī (Chinese Angelica root) nourishes the Blood, promotes healthy circulation, and supports regular, comfortable menstrual cycles. It is commonly used for people with a pale complexion, fatigue, irregular periods, and dry constipation. Beyond gynecology, it is one of the most frequently used herbs across all branches of Chinese medicine, appearing in hundreds of classical formulas.

Category Blood-tonifying herbs (补血药)
Therapeutic focus Menstrual Health Blood Nourishment Pain Management Digestive Regularity

TCM Properties

Temperature

Warm

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān), Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn)

Channels entered

Liver, Heart, Spleen

Parts used

Root (根 gēn)

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What This Herb Does

Every herb has a specific set of actions — here's what Dang Gui does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Dang Gui is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Menstrual Health Blood Nourishment Pain Management Digestive Regularity

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Dang Gui performs to restore balance in the body:

Nourishes Blood Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis Regulates menstruation Alleviates Pain Moistens the Intestines and Unblocks the Bowels

How these actions work

'Tonifies Blood' means Dāng Guī nourishes and replenishes the Blood, addressing conditions where the body does not have enough Blood to nourish its tissues. This is its primary action, and it is why the herb is used for a pale or sallow complexion, dizziness, palpitations, and a pale tongue. Classically described as "the holy herb within the Blood" (血中之圣药), its sweet flavor nourishes while its warm nature gently supports the production of new Blood.

'Invigorates Blood' means Dāng Guī gently moves Blood that has become stuck or stagnant. Unlike stronger Blood-breaking herbs, it moves Blood without harming it. This is due to its acrid (pungent) flavor and warm nature, which promote circulation. This action makes it useful for traumatic injuries, abscesses that are slow to heal, and various types of pain caused by poor Blood circulation. A classical teaching notes that Dāng Guī "supplements when paired with tonics, and moves when paired with dispersing agents" (佐之以补则补，佐之以攻则通).

'Regulates menstruation' is the combination of the two actions above applied specifically to the uterus and reproductive system. Because it both nourishes Blood and moves it, Dāng Guī addresses multiple menstrual problems: scanty periods from Blood Deficiency, painful periods from Blood Stasis, irregular cycles, and even absence of periods. This is why it has been called "the sacred herb of gynecology" (女科之圣药).

'Alleviates pain' reflects the principle that pain arises when Blood is either deficient (tissues are malnourished) or stagnant (circulation is blocked). Dāng Guī addresses both mechanisms. It is used for abdominal pain from Blood Deficiency or Cold, joint pain from Wind-Damp obstruction where Blood circulation is poor, and pain from traumatic injury.

'Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels' refers to its ability to relieve constipation caused by Blood Deficiency. When there is not enough Blood to moisten the intestines, the stool becomes dry and hard. Dāng Guī's oily, lubricating nature provides moisture to the intestinal tract. This action applies specifically to constipation in elderly or blood-deficient patients, not to constipation from excess Heat.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Dang Gui is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Dang Gui addresses this pattern

Dāng Guī is one of the primary herbs for Blood Deficiency. Its sweet flavor directly nourishes and tonifies Blood, while its warm nature supports the Spleen's ability to generate new Blood. It enters the Liver channel (which stores Blood) and the Heart channel (which governs Blood), making it ideally targeted for this pattern. Its gentle Blood-invigorating action also prevents Blood from stagnating during the tonification process, a key advantage over purely nourishing herbs.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Dull Pale Complexion

Sallow or yellowish face from insufficient Blood

Dizziness

Lightheadedness from Blood failing to nourish the head

Palpitations

Heart palpitations from Blood unable to anchor the Heart spirit

Insomnia

Difficulty sleeping from Blood Deficiency failing to house the spirit

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Dang Gui is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Blood Stasis Blood Deficiency

TCM Interpretation

TCM sees menstrual pain as arising primarily from two mechanisms. First, Blood Stasis in the uterus blocks the free flow of menstrual blood, and the obstruction causes pain (the principle "where there is blockage, there is pain"). Second, Blood Deficiency means the uterus and its channels are inadequately nourished, producing a dull, empty ache rather than sharp stabbing pain. Cold in the uterus can contribute to both patterns by congealing Blood flow. The Liver channel, which runs through the lower abdomen and governs the smooth flow of Blood, is the key organ system involved.

Why Dang Gui Helps

Dāng Guī is uniquely suited for menstrual pain because it simultaneously nourishes Blood and moves it. Its sweet flavor tonifies Blood to address deficiency, while its pungent flavor and warm nature invigorate circulation and disperse stasis. It enters the Liver channel, which directly governs menstrual flow. This dual action means it both relieves the immediate pain by promoting Blood movement and treats the underlying deficiency that makes the condition recur. This is why it has been called "the sacred herb of gynecology" for centuries.

Also commonly used for

Irregular Menstruation

Irregular cycle timing and flow

Palpitations

Heart palpitations from Blood Deficiency

Dizziness

Lightheadedness from insufficient Blood

Trauma

Pain and swelling from trauma with blood stasis

Moving Pain

Wind-Damp joint pain with underlying Blood Deficiency

Insomnia

Difficulty sleeping from Blood Deficiency

Postpartum Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain from retained blood stasis after delivery

Herb Properties

Every herb has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Warm

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān), Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn)

Channels Entered

Liver Heart Spleen

Parts Used

Root (根 gēn)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Dang Gui — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

6-12g

Maximum dosage

Up to 15-30g in formulas specifically targeting severe Blood deficiency or Blood stasis, under practitioner supervision. Some modern sources report use up to 30g for short courses.

Dosage notes

Use lower doses (6-9g) for gentle Blood nourishment and moistening the intestines. Higher doses (10-15g) are used for more pronounced Blood deficiency with pallor, dizziness, and palpitations, or for Blood stasis conditions with pain. The specific part of the root traditionally affects function: the root body (gui shen) is preferred for nourishing Blood, the root tail (gui wei) for activating Blood and resolving stasis, and the whole root (quan gui) for combined nourishing and moving Blood. Wine-processed Dang Gui (jiu dang gui) enhances the Blood-activating and channel-warming actions and is preferred for painful menstruation and traumatic injury. Some patients experience bloating or loose stools, which may be mitigated by reducing the dose or adding Qi-regulating herbs like Chen Pi.

Preparation

No special decoction handling required. Dang Gui is simply sliced and decocted normally with other herbs. However, it should not be decocted for excessively long periods, as prolonged boiling can degrade the volatile oil (ligustilide) that contributes to its Blood-moving and analgesic effects.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same herb can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Dang Gui does

Processing method

Clean Dāng Guī slices are sprinkled evenly with yellow rice wine (huáng jiǔ), allowed to absorb the liquid, then stir-fried over gentle heat until dry, with a deep yellow color and slight scorch marks. The standard ratio is 10 kg of wine per 100 kg of herb slices.

How it changes properties

Wine processing enhances the Blood-invigorating and channel-unblocking actions while the warming nature is slightly strengthened. The moistening, intestine-lubricating action is reduced. The herb becomes more actively circulating and less purely nourishing. Temperature remains Warm. Wine is considered to guide herbs upward and outward and to enhance Blood-moving properties.

When to use this form

Preferred when Blood Stasis is the dominant issue: painful periods from stasis, amenorrhea, Wind-Damp joint pain with poor Blood circulation, and traumatic injuries. When active Blood invigoration is more important than Blood nourishment.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Dang Gui for enhanced therapeutic effect

Huang Qi
Huang Qi 5:1 (Huáng Qí 30g : Dāng Guī 6g) in Dāng Guī Bǔ Xuè Tāng; 1:1 to 2:1 in general tonifying formulas

Huáng Qí powerfully tonifies Qi while Dāng Guī nourishes Blood, together embodying the principle that "Qi generates Blood" (气能生血). Huáng Qí provides the driving force for Blood production while Dāng Guī supplies the substance. This pairing is the foundation of Dāng Guī Bǔ Xuè Tāng, where Huáng Qí is used at five times the dose of Dāng Guī.

When to use: Blood Deficiency with concurrent Qi weakness, manifesting as fatigue, a pale face, dizziness, and a large but weak pulse. Also for slow wound healing, postpartum recovery, and chronic illness with both Qi and Blood depletion.

Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong 2:1 (Dāng Guī 10g : Chuān Xiōng 5g)

Chuān Xiōng is the premier Qi-within-Blood herb, powerfully moving Qi and Blood upward and outward. Combined with Dāng Guī's Blood-nourishing and Blood-moving actions, this pair invigorates Blood circulation while preventing stagnation. Chuān Xiōng's ascending, dispersing nature complements Dāng Guī's warmer, more nourishing quality.

When to use: Menstrual irregularities with pain, headaches from Blood Stasis or Blood Deficiency, traumatic injuries, and any condition requiring both Blood nourishment and active circulation.

Bai Shao
Bai Shao 1:1 (Dāng Guī 10g : Bái Sháo 10g)

Bái Sháo nourishes Blood and restrains Liver Yin with its sour, astringent nature, while Dāng Guī nourishes and moves Blood with its sweet, pungent nature. Together, they tonify Blood from complementary angles: Bái Sháo collects and preserves Blood while Dāng Guī generates and circulates it. One gathers, the other moves.

When to use: Blood Deficiency with Liver disharmony, manifesting as menstrual pain, abdominal cramping, muscle tension, or irritability. Also used for the Liver failing to store Blood properly.

Shu Di Huang
Shu Di Huang 1:1.2 (Dāng Guī 10g : Shú Dì Huáng 12g)

Shú Dì Huáng is the most powerful Blood and Yin tonic, deeply nourishing Kidney essence and Liver Blood. Combined with Dāng Guī, it creates the strongest Blood-tonifying pairing in Chinese medicine. Dāng Guī adds a mobile, circulating quality that prevents the heavy, sticky Shú Dì Huáng from causing stagnation.

When to use: Severe or chronic Blood Deficiency with Yin Deficiency, such as persistent anemia, chronic illness-related pallor, or Liver-Kidney depletion with dry skin and hair, dizziness, and tinnitus.

Tao Ren
Tao Ren 1:1 (Dāng Guī 10g : Táo Rén 10g)

Táo Rén (Peach kernel) is a strong Blood-breaking herb that targets fixed Blood Stasis. Paired with Dāng Guī, which nourishes Blood while moving it, the combination breaks up stasis without exhausting the Blood. Dāng Guī softens Táo Rén's harsh dispersing action while Táo Rén strengthens Dāng Guī's otherwise gentle circulation-promoting effect.

When to use: Fixed Blood Stasis patterns with pain: postpartum retention of lochia with abdominal pain, traumatic injuries with swelling, or amenorrhea from Blood Stasis.

Key Formulas

These well-known formulas feature Dang Gui in a prominent role

Si Wu Tang 四物湯 King

Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) is the foundational Blood-tonifying and Blood-regulating formula in all of Chinese medicine, from which countless derivative formulas evolved. Dāng Guī serves as King, showcasing its core dual action of nourishing Blood while moving it. It is paired with Shú Dì Huáng, Bái Sháo, and Chuān Xiōng in equal parts. This formula perfectly illustrates why Dāng Guī is called the "essential herb for Blood diseases."

Sheng Hua Tang 生化湯 King

Shēng Huà Tāng (Generating and Transforming Decoction) is the most important postpartum formula in Chinese medicine, designed to invigorate Blood and expel retained lochia after childbirth. Dāng Guī serves as King at a large dose, showcasing its Blood-invigorating action while also nourishing the Blood that was lost during delivery. The formula highlights Dāng Guī's ability to simultaneously move and tonify Blood.

Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang 當歸補血湯 Deputy

Dāng Guī Bǔ Xuè Tāng (Angelica Blood-Tonifying Decoction) is one of the most elegant two-herb formulas in Chinese medicine, composed only of Huáng Qí and Dāng Guī in a 5:1 ratio. Despite being named after Dāng Guī, it uses Huáng Qí as King to powerfully tonify Qi and generate Blood. Dāng Guī serves as Deputy, providing the Blood-nourishing substance that Qi then activates. This formula embodies the principle that "Qi generates Blood."

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang 補中益氣湯 Deputy

Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) is Li Dongyuan's famous Qi-raising formula. Dāng Guī serves as Deputy, nourishing the Blood to support the Qi-tonifying action of the main herbs. Its inclusion demonstrates the classical principle that Blood and Qi are interdependent: when tonifying Qi, one must also nourish Blood to give Qi a material foundation.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Shu Di Huang
Dang Gui vs Shu Di Huang

Both are primary Blood-tonifying herbs, but they work differently. Shú Dì Huáng is heavier, more nourishing, and also replenishes Kidney Yin and essence. It is the stronger Blood tonic but has no Blood-moving ability and can cause stagnation and digestive issues. Dāng Guī is lighter and more mobile: it tonifies Blood while simultaneously invigorating its circulation, and it also relieves pain and moistens the bowels. Choose Shú Dì Huáng when deep Yin and essence depletion is the priority; choose Dāng Guī when Blood needs both nourishing and moving, especially for menstrual or pain-related conditions.

Bai Shao
Dang Gui vs Bai Shao

Both nourish Liver Blood and are frequently used together. However, Bái Sháo is cool, sour, and astringent: it preserves Yin, softens the Liver, and restrains excessive Liver Yang. It is the better choice when Liver Yin Deficiency leads to pain, spasm, or irritability. Dāng Guī is warm, sweet, and pungent: it both nourishes and moves Blood, making it superior for Blood Stasis with Deficiency, menstrual irregularity, and constipation from Blood Deficiency. Where Bái Sháo collects, Dāng Guī circulates.

Ji Xue Teng
Dang Gui vs Ji Xue Teng

Both tonify Blood and invigorate Blood circulation, and both are used for menstrual irregularities and numbness from Blood Deficiency. However, Jī Xuè Téng (Spatholobus stem) has stronger channel-unblocking ability and is particularly suited for numbness, tingling, and joint pain from Blood Deficiency with channel obstruction. Dāng Guī is the stronger Blood tonic overall and has broader applications across gynecology, pain management, and constipation. Jī Xuè Téng is often chosen when the primary complaint is limb numbness or Bi syndrome.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Dang Gui

Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) is sometimes confused with or substituted by Du Huo (Angelica pubescens), which belongs to a closely related species in the same Apiaceae family. Du Huo has a different therapeutic profile (it dispels Wind-Dampness and treats joint pain) and can be distinguished by its weaker fragrance, lighter colour, and different cross-section pattern. European Angelica (Angelica archangelica) and Japanese To-ki (Angelica acutiloba) are sometimes marketed as equivalents in Western herbal commerce, but they have different chemical profiles and should not be considered interchangeable. Within the trade, lower-grade Dang Gui from non-dao-di regions (where the root is shorter, thinner, with less oil and weaker aroma) may be sold as premium Min Gui. The root tails and small fragments ("mao gui") may meet chemical assay standards but lack the full-spectrum quality of intact whole roots.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any herb.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Dang Gui

Non-toxic

Dang Gui is classified as non-toxic in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and classical sources. The Wu Pu Ben Cao records that early authorities including Shennong, Huangdi, and Bian Que all considered it sweet and non-toxic. At standard doses it is very safe. However, some individuals may experience gastrointestinal effects such as bloating, increased flatulence, or loose stools due to its oily, moistening nature. Excessive doses can aggravate internal Heat or worsen bleeding conditions. The herb contains coumarin derivatives (such as osthole and psoralen) and ferulic acid, which have antiplatelet and mild anticoagulant properties. These are safe at normal doses but become clinically relevant when combined with anticoagulant drugs. Proper storage is important as Dang Gui is prone to insect damage and oil oxidation; herb that is dried out, woody, or shows a green-brown cross-section should not be used.

Contraindications

Situations where Dang Gui should not be used or requires extra caution

Avoid

Excessive menstrual bleeding or any active hemorrhagic condition. Dang Gui activates Blood circulation and can worsen bleeding.

Caution

Diarrhea or loose stools due to Spleen deficiency. Classical sources note that those with weak digestion, poor appetite, or watery stools should avoid Dang Gui, as its oily, moistening nature can aggravate these symptoms.

Caution

Yin deficiency with internal Heat or vigorous Fire. Dang Gui is warm in nature and can worsen symptoms of Heat, such as hot flashes, night sweats, or feverishness.

Caution

Exterior Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat patterns with fever and chills that have not yet resolved. Classical texts caution against using Blood-tonifying herbs before the exterior pathogen is cleared.

Caution

Dampness or phlegm accumulation in the middle burner (bloating, nausea, heavy sensation). Dang Gui's rich, oily quality can worsen Dampness obstruction.

Caution

Concurrent use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications without medical supervision. Dang Gui contains coumarin-like compounds and can potentiate anticoagulant effects.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Use with caution during pregnancy. Dang Gui is a Blood-activating herb with mild uterine-stimulating properties. Its ability to invigorate Blood circulation could theoretically promote uterine contractions or increase the risk of bleeding. Classical sources are divided: the Ben Cao Jing Shu explicitly warns against use during pregnancy and postpartum when the situation is not appropriate, while other traditions include it in pregnancy formulas (such as Dang Gui San) specifically for Blood deficiency in pregnancy. In modern practice, Dang Gui is generally avoided in the first trimester and used only under qualified practitioner supervision at any stage of pregnancy, at reduced doses, and only when there is a clear indication of Blood deficiency. Women with a history of miscarriage should exercise particular caution.

Breastfeeding

Generally considered compatible with breastfeeding at standard doses. Dang Gui is traditionally used in postpartum recovery formulas (such as Sheng Hua Tang) to help restore Blood and support recovery after childbirth. There is no specific evidence that standard doses cause adverse effects in nursing infants. However, because of its Blood-activating properties and potential to increase lochia or postpartum bleeding if used excessively, it should only be taken under practitioner guidance during the postpartum period. If the mother notices any unusual bleeding or the infant shows signs of digestive upset, the herb should be discontinued and medical advice sought.

Children

Dang Gui can be used in children when indicated for Blood deficiency, typically at reduced doses proportional to the child's age and weight (roughly one-third to one-half of the adult dose for school-age children). It is most commonly given as part of a balanced formula rather than alone. Because of its oily, moistening nature and tendency to loosen stools, it should be used cautiously in children with weak digestion or a tendency toward diarrhea. Not typically given to infants or toddlers unless specifically prescribed by a qualified practitioner.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Dang Gui

Anticoagulants (warfarin, heparin): Dang Gui contains coumarin-like compounds and ferulic acid, which have antiplatelet and mild anticoagulant activity. Research has shown that Dang Gui can potentiate the pharmacodynamic effects of warfarin, increasing the risk of bleeding. Patients on warfarin or other anticoagulants should inform their prescribing physician before taking Dang Gui, and INR should be monitored closely if concurrent use is necessary.

Antiplatelet drugs (aspirin, clopidogrel): Due to Dang Gui's own antiplatelet properties (through inhibition of thromboxane synthesis), concurrent use may increase bleeding risk. Caution is advised.

Hormone-sensitive medications: Some studies suggest Dang Gui may have mild estrogenic activity. Patients on hormone replacement therapy, oral contraceptives, or tamoxifen should consult their doctor, although clinical evidence for significant interaction is limited.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Dang Gui

When taking Dang Gui for Blood nourishment, warm, cooked foods that support the Spleen and Blood are beneficial, such as red dates, dark leafy greens, bone broth, and moderate amounts of red meat. Avoid excessive cold, raw foods and iced drinks, which can impair digestion and counteract the herb's warming nature. Dang Gui pairs well with lamb in the classical Dang Gui Sheng Jiang Yang Rou Tang recipe from the Jin Gui Yao Lue. Those using Dang Gui for moistening the intestines should ensure adequate fluid intake.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Dang Gui source plant

Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels is a perennial herb in the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family, growing 40–100 cm tall. The stem is erect, purplish-green, and branched near the top. The leaves are compound, two to three times pinnately divided, with toothed leaflets that are broadly ovate to lanceolate. Small white or greenish-white flowers are borne in compound umbels during summer. The fruit is an oblong, winged achene.

The plant grows natively in cool, moist mountain environments at elevations of 2000–3000 metres, preferring deep, fertile, well-drained humus-rich soil. It is cultivated primarily in the high-altitude regions of Gansu, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Qinghai provinces in China. The medicinal root is harvested after 2–3 years of growth and consists of a stout rootstock (the "head"), a thick main root (the "body"), and several branching lateral roots (the "tails"). The fresh root has a strong, distinctive aromatic fragrance.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Dang Gui is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Late autumn (typically October to November), after the plant has been growing for 2-3 years.

Primary growing regions

The premier source (dao di yao cai) is Gansu Province, especially Min County (岷县) and surrounding areas including Dangchang, Zhangxian, Weiyuan, Zhuoni, and Lintan. Herb from this region is known as "Min Gui" (岷归) or "Qin Gui" (秦归), prized for its thick flesh, rich oil content, strong aroma, and superior quality. Min County alone accounts for over 85% of China's total production. Secondary production areas include Yunnan Province (especially Heqing and surroundings, where the product is called "Yun Gui"), Sichuan (Aba and Ya'an regions), and Qinghai (Haidong region). The best quality herb comes from high-altitude areas (2000-3000m) with cool, humid climates and deep humus-rich soil.

Quality indicators

Good quality Dang Gui root should have a thick, fleshy main root that is long and relatively straight, with few but robust branch roots. The surface is yellowish-brown to brown, with visible longitudinal wrinkles and transverse lenticel-like bumps. The texture should be soft and flexible (not hard, woody, or brittle). The cross-section should be yellowish-white to pale yellowish-brown, with a thick bark layer showing visible cracks and numerous brown oil dots (secretory cavities), a yellowish-brown cambium ring, and paler wood. Most importantly, good Dang Gui has a rich, distinctive, penetrating aromatic fragrance and a sweet, slightly pungent, faintly bitter taste. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020) requires ferulic acid content of no less than 0.050% and volatile oil content of no less than 0.4%. Herb that is dry, woody ("chai xing" in Chinese), devoid of oil, or has a green-brown cross-section is considered unfit for medicinal use.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Dang Gui and its therapeutic uses

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (《神农本草经》):
Original: 主咳逆上气……妇人漏下，绝子，诸恶疮疡、金疮。煮饮之。一名干归。
Translation: "Governs cough with counterflow Qi rising upward... women's uterine bleeding and infertility, all malignant sores and wounds. Decoct and drink. Also called Gan Gui."

Ben Cao Gang Mu (《本草纲目》), Li Shizhen:
Original: 治头痛，心腹诸痛，润肠胃、筋骨、皮肤，治痈疽，排脓止痛，和血补血。
Translation: "Treats headache, various pains of the chest and abdomen, moistens the intestines, stomach, sinews, bones, and skin, treats abscesses, expels pus, stops pain, harmonises and nourishes Blood."

Ben Cao Zheng (《本草正》), Zhang Jiebin:
Original: 当归，其味甘而重，故专能补血，其气轻而辛，故又能行血，补中有动，行中有补，诚血中之气药，亦血中之圣药也。
Translation: "Dang Gui: its flavour is sweet and substantial, so it excels at nourishing Blood; its Qi is light and pungent, so it also moves Blood. Within its tonifying there is movement; within its movement there is tonification. It is truly a Qi-moving herb within the Blood category, and a sage herb among Blood medicines."

Li Dongyuan (Li Gao):
Original: 当归头，止血而上行；身养血而中守；梢破血而下流；全活血而不走。
Translation: "The head of Dang Gui stops bleeding and directs upward; the body nourishes Blood and guards the centre; the tail breaks Blood stasis and moves downward; the whole root vitalises Blood without causing it to scatter."

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Dang Gui's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Dang Gui was first recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, the earliest Chinese materia medica, where it was classified as a middle-grade herb. The name "Dang Gui" (当归, literally "should return") has several folk etymologies. Li Shizhen's Ben Cao Gang Mu offers a poetic explanation: it was considered the essential herb for women who missed their husbands, and its name evokes the idea that a loved one "should come home." Another interpretation from the Ben Cao Tu Shuo holds that the name means the herb helps Qi and Blood "return to where they should be" (使气血各有所归).

Dang Gui has been central to Chinese medicine for over 1,700 years and is so commonly prescribed that it earned the saying "ten formulas, nine contain Dang Gui" (十方九归). The tradition of using different parts of the root for different purposes was elaborated by the Jin-Yuan era physician Li Dongyuan (Li Gao), who distinguished the head (止血, stops bleeding), body (养血, nourishes Blood), tail (破血, breaks stasis), and whole root (活血, vitalises Blood). This concept of part-specific function is unusual in Chinese herbalism and speaks to how deeply Dang Gui was studied.

Throughout the dynasties, Dang Gui has appeared in some of the most famous formulas in Chinese medicine, including Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction), Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang, Dang Gui Shao Yao San, and the Sheng Hua Tang for postpartum recovery. Zhang Zhongjing used it extensively in the Jin Gui Yao Lue, notably in the Dang Gui Sheng Jiang Yang Rou Tang (Dang Gui, Fresh Ginger, and Lamb Soup) for postpartum abdominal pain and Blood deficiency with cold. Min County in Gansu, the primary production area, has been cultivating Dang Gui for over a thousand years, and its traditional processing techniques are now listed as national intangible cultural heritage in China.

Modern Research

4 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Dang Gui

1

Pharmacodynamic interaction between Dang Gui and warfarin in rabbits (Animal study, 1995)

Lo ACT, Chan K, Yeung JHK, Woo KS. European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, 1995, 20: 55-60.

This study in rabbits found that Dang Gui extract affected the blood-thinning action of warfarin (prolonging prothrombin time at steady state) without changing warfarin blood levels. This suggests a pharmacodynamic interaction through coumarin-like compounds in Dang Gui, supporting the clinical caution about combining it with anticoagulant drugs.

Link
2

Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis in the Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (2020)

Li LC, Kan LD. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2020, 10: 1511.

This systematic review and meta-analysis of 17 randomised controlled trials found that formulas containing Dang Gui (often combined with Huang Qi) were effective and safe in treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, improving lung function, exercise tolerance, and reducing adverse reactions compared to conventional treatment alone.

PubMed
3

Ferulic acid displaces warfarin from human serum albumin binding, increasing free warfarin concentration (In vitro study, 2014)

Li X, et al. Journal of Spectroscopy, 2014, Article 834501.

This laboratory study found that ferulic acid, one of the major active compounds in Dang Gui, can displace warfarin from its binding site on human serum albumin, increasing free warfarin concentration by at least 50% under simulated conditions. This provides a molecular mechanism for the potential bleeding risk when Dang Gui is combined with warfarin.

Link
4

Angelica sinensis in China: A review of botanical profile, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and chemical analysis (Review, 2016)

Wei WL, Zeng R, Gu CM, Qu Y, Huang LF. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2016, 190: 116-141.

A comprehensive review covering the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and analytical methods for Dang Gui. The study documented over 70 compounds including phthalides (ligustilide, butylphthalide), organic acids (ferulic acid), polysaccharides, and coumarins, and summarised their pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, haematopoietic, and cardiovascular effects.

PubMed

Research on individual TCM herbs is growing but still limited by Western clinical trial standards. These studies provide emerging evidence and should be considered alongside practitioner expertise.