In traditional Chinese medicine, Angelica sinensis, also known as dang gui, is often referred to as the "King of Herbs" or the "Holy Medicine". What are the benefits and uses of dang gui, and who should avoid consuming it?
Brief Introduction to Dang Gui
During the Three Kingdoms period, General Zhong Hui and Deng Ai, sent by Sima Zhao, attacked Shu Han. The ruler of Shu Han, Liu Shan, was so terrified that he surrendered, leaving Jiang Wei, who had been defending Jian Ge, unwilling to surrender or fight. Sima Zhao captured Jiang Wei's mother, and upon hearing that her son had betrayed his country, she was furious and wrote a letter berating him for his disloyalty, unfilial piety, and lack of righteousness.
After reading the letter, Jiang Wei was restless. He wanted to inform his mother of the truth, but he was afraid of revealing military secrets and jeopardizing the overall situation. At the same time, he didn't want his mother to be angry and hurt herself. So he wrote a letter, enclosing two types of Chinese herbs: yuan zhi and dang gui. The letter read: "With a heroic spirit to overcome the high barrier, offering warmth and open-mindedness; only a little water and a remaining mountain bathed in the setting sun, with distant aspirations and a humble gift of dang gui." A mother knows her child best, and when Jiang's mother read the letter, she realized that her son had lofty aspirations and had temporarily surrendered with the intention of revitalizing the state. In order to let her son have no worries and focus on saving the country, sacrificing herself for the greater good, she crashed into a wall and died.
During the An Shi Rebellion in the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei were forced to hastily leave Chang'an. Before leaving, the minister Luo Gongyuan presented a sealed brocade box to the emperor, with the words "May this object protect the safety of the emperor's journey" written on it. After the rebellion was quelled, Emperor Xuanzong had the box opened, and inside were several branches of high-quality dang gui. The emperor was overjoyed and, upon returning to Chang'an, rewarded Luo Gongyuan generously.
In ancient times, herbs were often used to convey emotions: "When parting, give a spoonful of medicine; when inviting, send dang gui; when rejecting return, send yuan zhi."
Benefits of Dang Gui
Dang gui belongs to the Apiaceae family and is a perennial herb. It has a sweet and slightly spicy warm nature and belongs to the Heart, Liver, and Spleen meridians. In the "Classic of Herbal Medicine", it is classified as a middle-grade herb. It is known for its blood-tonifying and menstruation-regulating effects, as well as its ability to nourish the blood, promote tissue regeneration, activate blood circulation, relieve pain, and promote bowel movement. It is used to treat all types of blood disorders and deficiency syndromes. It is highly regarded as the "King of Herbs" and the "Holy Medicine". The best quality dang gui is produced in Min County, Gansu Province, and has a history of more than 1480 years. It is named dang gui because it can bring the qi and blood back to their proper places. Generally, dang gui can stop bleeding in the head, promote blood circulation in the lower body, nourish the blood in the torso, and stimulate meridians in the beard area. It has a comprehensive effect on the whole body by harmonizing the blood.
In the United States, dang gui liquid is injected into astronauts' bodies to ensure normal blood circulation in space. Dang gui essential oil contains 29 components, and 23 of them are water-soluble metals. When made into an injection, it can be directly injected into acupuncture points to treat headaches, irregular heartbeats, coughs, back and leg pain, liver disease, nephritis, gastrointestinal bleeding, rhinitis, sudden deafness, insomnia, skin diseases, and more.
The aqueous solution of dang gui has a strong inhibitory effect on melanin formation and can be used to treat dark spots and age spots. It is an excellent medicine for beauty and whitening. It can be made into a beauty cream or a hair care cream to make the hair soft and shiny.
Four Wonderful Uses of Dang Gui
Generally, dang gui can stop bleeding in the head, promote blood circulation in the lower body, nourish the blood in the torso, and stimulate meridians in the beard area. It has a comprehensive effect on the whole body by harmonizing the blood.
Blood Tonic: Combine dang gui with shu di huang, bai shao, and chuan xiong to make Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction).
Treatment for Blood Deficiency and Weak Qi: Boil dang gui and huang qi in a 1:2 ratio and drink the decoction.
Treatment for Spleen Deficiency and Cold, or Blood Deficiency Causing Abdominal Cold and Pain: Boil dang gui with fresh ginger, lamb, gui zhi, and shao yao to make a soup and drink it.
Beauty and Hair Care: Boil 3 liang of dang gui in 1500ml of water until it becomes 1000ml. Strain out the residue. After washing the face, use a cotton swab to apply the liquid to the face. After washing the hair, massage a small amount of the liquid into the scalp.
Precautions for Consuming Dang Gui
Dang gui can lubricate the large intestine, so it should not be used by those with weak digestive systems, loose stools, or excessive dampness in the abdomen. (Editor's note: "loose stools" refers to thin stools; "excessive dampness in the abdomen" refers to the dysfunction of the spleen and stomach, with dampness stagnating in the abdomen, causing bloating, pain, and fullness.)
