Angelica
- A herb particularly for women, helps menstrual problems and anemia
Name: Common Name: Angelica, dang-qui, dong quai, and Danggui Botanical Name: Angelica archangelica L. --grow in Europe
Angelica atropurpurea L. -- grow in North America
Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels - grow in China
Family:Umbelliferae
Parts Used:Entire plant
Sources
Oil is extracted from the roots which containing
active ingredients similar to coumarin and its derivatives. All
of the different species, European, North American, and Chinese
Angelica, seem to contain essentially the same anti-coagulation
(prevent blood clotting) ingredients. The head part of the root
has more effect of blood nourishment while the tail part more provides
blood circulation enhancement. Generally, whole root is to be use
individually or in combinations. Whole root has both above-mentioned
actions.
Chemical Component
Essential oil (safrole, ligustilide, butylidenphalide,
valerophenone-o-carboxylic acid), falcarindio, furo-coumarin (bergapten),
vitamina B group (nicotinic acid, folic acid, vitamin B12), vitamin
A.
Use Recommendations
Angelica is recommended for the treatment of blood
deficiency, (anemia), abdominal cramping (especially menstruation
problems such as painful menstruation, amenorrhea), constipation
(due to aged and debilitated), traumatic injury, arthritis, Thromboangitis
and some cases of coronary disease
1) Angelica increases coronary artery blood flow and stimulates
red blood cell production shown by laboratory studies. Ferulic acid,
one of its ingredients, a cyclooxygenage and thromboxane A2 synthetase
inhibitor, prevents platelets from clumping. This reflected the
fact that its use may prevent the blood clot formation that leads
to heart attacks and strokes.
2) Ferulic acid also plays a role in the body's defenses
against some cancer causing agents. The Ten Significant Tonic Decoction
has been studied clinically sponsored by the Chinese government,
tend to confirm its action of immunity enhancement. Unfortunately,
none of these benefits have ever been proven, except for one study
showing positive effects in women with cervical inflammation.
3) The other actions, such as protect the liver by preventing
the decrease of liver glycogen, lower cholesterol, anti-inflammatory,
and anti-bacterial, have to confirmed by extensive trials.
4) Toxicity studies have been done in human volunteers. Forty
stroke patients were given angelica intravenously in large doses
of for up to one month, and no adverse effects were demonstrated.
However, for long-term use, have not been studied.
5) Angelica does not contain female hormone.
Concerns
Angelica plant contains coumarin, under some condition,
can be converted to dicoumarol. Dicoumarol is a compound similar
to Coumardin, the anticoagulants given to heart patients. This conversion
does not occur in the Angelica flowers. The seeds and stems do contain
another coumarin derivative named furanocoumarin, also known as
psoralen. Psoralen-containing drugs sensitize the skin to ultraviolet
light, which can be used to treat skin conditions such as vitiligo
and psoriasis. Severe sunburns can induced by taken psoralen and
then is exposed to the sun.
Precautions
Patients taking coumadin or other anticoagulants
should be careful not to take Angelica in the same time. There is
laboratory evidence showed that the coumarin contained in the herb
by which will decrease the ability of the body to metabolize prescribed
blood thinners, even though it is not an anticoagulant. This may result
in dangerous bleeding tendencies. In this particular case, it is always
good to consult your physician for a combined use. And it is not advised
to use it when you have chronic gut disease before consult your physician.
Dosage
The recommended dosage for decoction is 3-12 gm.
per day. For dried whole root is 4.5 grams per day, equivalent to
1.5 to 3.0 grams of the 1:1 fluid extract per day, or 1.5 grams
of the 1:5 tincture. If essential oil is being used, the recommended
dose is 10-20 drops of oil per day.
Summary
Angelica commonly uses for blood tonic, gynecologic
problem and constipation. The other claimed actions of Angelica,
such as treating heart disease, lower cholesterol, anti-inflammation
and even cancer prevention are still in researching pending for
positive results of data.
Interesting Facts
Angelica, a very common use herb by Chinese healers.
The name in Chinese, Dong Quai, means "return to order".
It is frequent use to treat menstrual irregularities and deficiency
of blood. It is already mentioned in the herb book "Shen-nong
Ben Cao Jing" written in 200 AD.
Angelica contains two types of oil, volatile and non-volatile. The
volatile oil has an inhibitory action on the uterus muscles that
relax the uterus. On the contrary, the non-volitle oil has an excitatory
action on the uterus muscles that contract the uterus. After procession
of the herb, by extraction or cooking, the only remained is the
non-volite oil and provides uterus contracted effect only.
In the United States, Angelica is sold as a "ginseng for women"
with claims that it can reduce premenstrual discomfort and promote
normal reproductive function.
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