Angelica grows plentifully where I live - I've been gathering it for more than half my life now. Dong Quai is a cured, prepared angelica root that is very different from angelica. Angelica is diaphoretic, good for digestive cramps and gas pain. We use it for asthma and colds in the Appalachians. The seed is better than the root for the gut. Root may work for menstrual cramps. Seeds are sedative. Parsnip seeds are also good for stomach upset. Don't use during pregnancy or nursing. Some of the old mountain folks still make candy from the stems. It is tasty stuff - kind of licorice/celery/rhubarb flavor. But, I'm weird - I like honest fruit cake... a lot! MM likens the leaves to cilantro, chervil and celery.
Angelica has a long folk-history of use as a medicinal herb, in particular for the treatment of digestive disorders and problems with blood circulation. The root is the most active medicinally, it should be harvested in the autumn of its first year of growth, sliced longitudinally if necessary and dried quickly. If well stored, the root retains its medicinal virtues for many years. The leaves and seeds can also be used. The leaves are harvested and dried in late spring before the plant comes into flower. The plant is antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic, tonic. An infusion is used to ease flatulence, indigestion, chronic bronchitis and typhus. It stimulates blood flow to the peripheral parts of the body and so is of value in treating poor circulation - it is considered a specific treatment for Buerger's disease, a condition that narrows the arteries of the hands and feet. Angelica is contra-indicated for people with a tendency towards diabetes since its use can increase sugar levels in the urine. This plant should not be prescribed for pregnant women, nor should the juice be allowed to come into contact with the eyes. An essential oil from the seeds is sometimes used as a rub to relieve rheumatic conditions. http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/a/angelica-archangelica=angelica.php
Dong Quai, the cured root, is different and is usually used in formulas, not on its own. Root is heated, soaked in slat water, dried, re soaked and re-heat dried... vinegar, ash, several steps. Dong Quai effects binding of estrogen. Increases binding in target tissue in cases of low estrogen. It is an estrogen facilitator. Good for pelvic congestion and impaired estrogen uptake.
Well, at least he states decisively that cotton root bark is not an abortifacient... which, I knew. Cotton root bark increases uptake of oxytocin... so, it has the opposite effect.... helps people make more babies.
Angelica, Dong Quai, etc.
ANGELICA ROOT. Tincture [Fresh Root, 1:2, Dry Root, 1:5, 65% alcohol) 30-60 drops, to 4X a day. Strong Decoction, 1-2 ounces similarly. SEED: Tincture (as previous), 10-30 drops, or several seeds chewed. STATUS : W/C
*ANGELICA SINENSIS (Dong Quai, Tang Kwei) CURED CHINESE OR KOREAN ROOT. Large slices, 1/16 to 1/8 a day, chewed and swallowed. Tincture [1:5, 70% alcohol] 5-20 drops Capsules, #0, 1 to 3 a day. STATUS : W/C
From SPECIFIC INDICATIONS FOR HERBS IN GENERAL USE Third edition Michael Moore:
ANGELICA Psychogenic asthma. Flatulent colic. Gastric colic with flatulence. Flatulence with inflammation.
ANGELICA DAWSONII see THASPIUM AUREUM.
ANGELICA SINENSIS (DONG QUAI) Asthenic hypotension with dry skin and frequent blushing. Multiple sclerosis in young women. Poor availability or hyposecretion of primary hormones in either sex. Incontinence from recent sexual activity in sedentary, previous abstentious males. Eczema, with chronic poor fat digestion, dry skin. Amenorrhea with mood swings and simple hypofunction in asthenic women. Cervicitis with congestion and poor venous circulation. Dysmenorrhea, with congestion, lengthy cycles (30 days or more). Endometritis/metritis, in general. Hydrocele (with Ceanothus). Leukorrhea, viscous, fetid. Menarche delay (primary amenorrhea), in general. Menopause, basic initial treatment. Menopause, with early osteoporosis symptoms (as a tea with Equisetum and Medicago sativa). "Surgical menopause" after 35 years of age, as a possible alternative to hormone replacement therapy (with Glycyrrhiza). Menorrhagia, as a general preventative. Orchitis/epididymitis, chronic in aged. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), initial approach; or chronic, but with complete cycle always more than 28 days long. Subacute/chronic prostatitis, enlarged with dull ache in older males. Infertility (taken for 4-5 consecutive days a month, starting just before ovulation). Infertility, with depressed testosterone, low sperm count. Uterus, atony. Malnutrition w/anemia, dyspepsia, anorexia, poor assimilation, functional pelvic irritability.
Here is the link to the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine Course
https://www.swsbm.com/school/
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