Dong Quai Info

Dong Quai is part of a small, perennial plant that is endemic to Asian areas, specifically China, Japan, and Korea. In Chinese medicine, root of DongQuai has actually been used for literally thousands of years as a tonic for the female reproductive system. Its popularity in Asia is second only to that of Ginseng, something we can personally testify to as we lived in Korea for over two years.

Dong-Quai is taken from the gnarled brownish root of a umbrella-like, clustered white flowered plant that grows year round in Asia (hence the term "perennial"). It has among its names angelica, Chinese angelica, dang gui, and tang kuie.

It is used in Asia, and now more and more in the West to promote female uterine health as well as to help regulate menstrual flow. Studies show the active ingredients are called coumarins are responsible for root of Dong Quai's effectiveness, but many researchers say it is the phytoestrogens that have a significant role as well.

Benefits of Dong-Quai

As mentioned, the benefits of root of Dong-Quai are most for females as dong quai can dilate blood vessels thus stimulating the central nervous system and blood flow throughout the body. It also helps relax the body and not surprisingly helps minimize menstrual cramps; it also helps soothe muscles of the uterus. It has also been used as an herbal aid for sinus problems but mostly it's used for PMS and uterine health issues. Specifically, it helps reduce pain of endometriosis in restoring hormonal imbalances due to this problem.

Generally, it helps improve body fluids and it even plays a role in red blood cell production as it is abundant in vitamin B12-- a key vitamin for women especially as B12 contributes does just that -- it generates red blood cells. It also helps with high blood pressure and circulatory problems. It also helps minimize menopausal symptoms such as vaginal drying and hot flashes.

Dong-Quai Side Effects: Dong-Quai Precautions

What is a Dong Quai side effect that may be necessary for you to know? Overall, Dong Quai is a very safe herb. Still, be mindful that you should always consult with your doctor if you're pregnant and/or nursing. Or, if you are on prescribed medications. If treating with PMS, use dong quai on the days you're not actually menstruating.

If you have hot flashes, take it daily for at least two months. It will take this long before you see any noticeable changes. Lastly, those with fair skin be advised dong quai can make you become overly sensitive to sunlight. This is a temporary condition and will abate once you stop taking it.

How To Choose a Quality Dong-Quai Supplement

In order to make as informed a decision as possible, I recommend the following criteria that can help you save money as well as get the best supplement possible. Here's what to look for:

1. The supplements should be produced at pharmaceutical standard GMP registered facilities. Facilities that are GMP registered comply with the most rigid standards so as to minimize the possibility of product contaminants. (These are the same standards pharmaceutical companies in the United States are required to operate under as mandated by the FDA.) Nutritional supplements are not regulated by FDA and as such fraud is rampant with many so-called supplements containing contaminants with 1 in 5 not having the ingredients as proclaimed on the label!

2. If you take Donq-Quai in tablet form, look for tablets with enteric coating as this inert substance protects the vitamins from being lost in the gastric acids. Enteric coating protects the vitamins until they can dissolve in the upper intestine where they are then assimilated into the blood stream.

3. If getting dong quai in pill form, look for standardized extracts that have liguistillide.

4. Take dong quai with other female specific herbs like Black Cohosh and Wild Yam as this will heighten its efficacy. Black Cohosh appears to be more effective overall than Dong Quai, but its presence with Dong Quai can only help amplify its desired results.

Quality Dong Quai Supplement

A company in New Zealand offers GMP compliant products, and meets all the above criteria. Their multivitamin for women product not only has Dong Quai, but Wild Yam and Black Cohosh as well.

This multivitamin for women is a scientifically formulated for women containing a full spectrum of vitamins, minerals, trace and specialty minerals, and nutrient-rich enzymes.

(They have a multivitamin for men as well.) I've been using this multivitamin supplement for over four years and am very pleased with the results.

I hope this web page has been useful to you.

Yours in health, hope, and harmony,
Nutritional-Supplement-Bible.com

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