Dang Gui Chinese Angelica Root - Chinese Herbal Medicine

• Clearing damp heat in the lower warmer, particularly with underlying blood deficiency - vaginal disharge, vaginal itching, vaginal inflammation along with constipation, possibly anemia, low back pain, and/or abdominal pain.  Leukorrhea may be yellow, white or red.
• Gonorrhea, syphilis.

• For recovery of qi and blood after acute trauma or accident
• For frequent heavy menstrual cycles
• Pale complexion, fatigue, dizziness from qi deficiency
• Vertigo, palpitations, anxiety from blood deficiency

• Do not confuse with Ba Zheng Wan - which is a clearing formula.

• General yin deficiency signs may present as night sweats, heat in the soles and palms, and flusing.
• Cough/wheezing, possible blood in the sputum, dry and sore throat may present from lung yin and qi deficiency.
• Useful for treating people who quit smoking or those with acute smoke exposure.

• Fatigue, weakness, with pale complexion due to chronic qi and blood deficiency.
• Hemiplegia, slurred speech or involuntary muscle control due to blockage of the channels and collaterals.

Do not use for patients with liver wind or severe yin deficiency.

• Coldness of the limbs, borborygmus with loose stools or diarrhea due to spleen yang deficiency.
• Spontaneous or easy sweating, general fatigue, changes in appetite due to spleen qi deficiency.
• Pale complexion and preference for warm food or drinks due to spleen yang and qi deficiency.
• Shortness of breath and noticable lack of desire to speak may present if both spleen and stomach qi are weak.
• This formula is also commonly used for prolasped organs.

• Use with caution for yin deficient patients.

• Acid reflux and/or burning sensation in the epigastrium, throat, or mouth from stomach fire.
• Ulcers, sores, or other types of abcess in the mouth due to persistent stomach heat.
• Constant sense of hunger or noticable increse in appetite.
• Commonly used to treat bad breath (halitosis).

• Brittle nails, yellowing of the skin (jaundice).
• Abdominal cramping, distension or pain in the hypochrondia due to liver qi stangation
• Fatty liver, hepatitis and other liver diseases. 

Useful for many types of traumatic injuries, broken bones, sprains, fractures, etc. anywhere in the body.  Also useful for fixed abdominal masses, ulcerations, sciatica, arthritis, pelvic inflammatory disease and angina among others.

In the case of traumatic injury the tongue and pulse may hold less clinical significance, for other conditions the Pulse may be wiry and the Tongue may be darker or show darkness in specific areas.

• For chronic pain due to obstruction (bi zheng) with liver and kidney deficiency.
• For lower back pain often with weakness and/or pain in the knees.
• For arthritis, especially the type affected by cold/damp weather.

• Use with caution during pregnancy.
• Do not use with patients that present with damp heat or excess heat.

Coming Soon...

• High fever with aversion to cold.
• Thick phlemg that may be both in sinus and chest.
• Vertigo or dizziness that is caused by excess heat.
• Rashes, carbuncles, and other types of skin disorders that are caused by heat.
• Constipation and scanty or dark urine.

• Contraindicated for pregnancy.
• Use with caution for patients presenting with loose stools or diarrhea.

• For blood stasis below the diaphgram - abdominal masses, liver and spleen masses/swelling, colitis.
• A range of liver disorders are possibly applicable - cirrhosis, hepatic hemangioma, hepatitis, jaundice.
• Spleen disorders - splenomegaly.
• Pleural adhesions.
• A range of menstrual disorders - fibroids, endometriosis, dysmenorrhea (although Shao Fu Zhu Yu Wan may be more appropriate as that targets more the lower jiao).
• Pelvic inflammatory disease.
• May be used to help expel ectopic pregnancy.

• Avoid during pregnancy.
• Use only under direction during menstruation.
• Use only under direction if you are taking blood thinners.
• Generally not for long term use.

• The formula is used to tonify both the spleen and heart which can be damaged from excessive overthinking, compulsions, etc. along with poor dietary habits and stressful lifestyle.  
• Anxiety, phobias, palpitations, insomnia, dream disturbed sleep, poor appetite, pallid complexion.
• In women spleen and heart deficiencies may lead to prolonged periods with little flow or early periods, heavier with pale blood.

Coming Soon...

• A combination of jia wei xiao yao wan and gui pi wan - similar effects but with more spleen qi and blood tonification.
• A range of stress related issues - essentially mixes of stagnation with underlying deficiencies.
• Potential uses with immune / idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and other bruising/bleeding issues with appropriate diagnostic factors.

• Derived from the base formula, xiao yao wan, an important formula for liver qi stagnation with herbs added to clear heat.
• Liver qi stagnation - menstrual issues, painful cycles, irregular cycles, breast distention, PMS, acne.
• A range of mild to moderate psychological issues arising from liver qi stagnation such as anxiety, depression, panic disorder, insomnia, anger issues, etc.
• Physical symptoms from liver qi stagnation such as headaches, tightness in the chest, cold hands and feet, various eye issues.

• Uterine bleeding/spotting.
• Abdominal/Uterine/Ovarian cramping.
• Irregular menstruation, history of miscarriage - due to spleen failing to regulate the blood.

• Avoid in cases of beng lou (flooding and spotting) when caused by heat or accompanied with strong heat signs.

• Bruising, sprains, swelling from soft tissue injuries.
• Broken or bruised bones.
• For post surgery recovery.
• For any other type of acute trauma to the body.

• Use with caution in pregnancy.
• Not for long term use.

• Wind-cold-damp bi syndromes in qi deficient patients - joint pain possibly with heaviness of the limbs that generally improves with movement.  Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis.  With wind-cold-damp patterns other inflammatory conditions such as fibromyalgia.
• Atrophy from qi and blood stagnation - stroke recovery.

• Hypochondriac pain, bitter taste in the mouth, irritability, easily angered, headache, dizziness, red, and possibly sore, eyes resulting from liver fire rising.
• Urinary symptoms such as painful, hot urination perhaps with swollen genitalia, dark and/or turbid urine from damp heat accumulation in the lower jiao.
• Leukorrhea of yellow color with a strong odor.

• Not for long term use.
• Not for patients who present with yin, yang, and/or blood deficiency.
• Use with caution with patients that present with spleen qi deficiency.

• Blurry vision, floaters, possibly with dryness of the eyes as a result of the liver yin failing to nourish the eyes and kidney yin failing to brighten the vision.

• Infertility, history of miscarriage due to blood deficiency and/or cold in the lower jiao from kidney yang deficiency.
• Irregular menstruation.
• Lower abdominal pain, lower back pain, uterine and/or ovarian pain.

• Use with caution for pregnancy.

• Headaches and/or migraines caused by liver yang or liver fire rising.

• Fatigue, lethargy, sensation of feeling heavy or cold.
• Low appetite, bloating, borborygmus, loose bowels.
• Impotence, infertility, low libedo.
• Insomnia, night sweats, vivid dreams, nightmares.

• Please note that there are two formulas with the same name but slightly different compositions.  One is from Wang's Wen Re Jing Wei and tonifies the yin more strongly, the other (which is the one discussed here) is from Li's Pi Wei Lun (Discussion of the Spleen and Stomach) and tonifies the spleen more strongly.  Both have similar usages but are not directly interchangeable.  
• Clears summerheat and dries dampness - summer colds and flus, heatstroke - fever, fatigue, excessive sweating with loose stools and heaviness in the body.
• Along with respiratory infections in the right cases certain types of asthma may be appropriate for this formula.
• Dampheat related inflammatory condtions such as Colitis are approprirate with the right underlying factors.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome with symptoms of spleen deficiency and heat.
• Wtih the right underlying factors the range of perimenopausal symptoms may be appropriate - low libido, fatigue, water retention, fibroids, heavy cycles.  Where this appear with spleen qi deficiency signs and kidney weakness, this formula may be appropriate.

• Hair loss, dry hair, greying hair as a result of dimished jing/essence.
• Low sperm count, low libedo, and infertility.

• Tonifies both qi and blood and nourishes the heart and calms the spirit - generally used for weakness from longer term or deep diseases such as cancer and for a host of other conditions affecting a broad range of the body and psyche such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and autoimmune conditions such as Lupus, Scleroderma, MCTD.
• Anemia.
• May be used alone or in conjunction with a formula such as yu ping feng wan to enhance immunity - particularly in patients with frequent colds and flus.
• Raynaud's condition in addition to the other connective tissue issues listed above.
• Micturition syncope, nephritis, cancers of the genitourinary tract.
• Male infertility, possibly with Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan, for sperm volume and motility issues.
• Along with other immune benefits, hepatitis C.
• Lung cancer.

• Use with caution or seek an alternative in deficiency cases with very pronounced sensations of coldness.  Part of this is due to the relatively neutral (i.e. non warming) aspects of this formula.

• Constipation primarily from blood and/or yin deficiency patterns.  
• Dryness of the skin, nails, and/or hair.

• Avoid during pregnancy.
• Use with caution if at all when breastfeeding as rhubarb may contribute to colic and/or diarrhea in infants.

• Qi and blood stagnation in the lower jiao - lower abdominal masses, fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis.
• Fertility issues in both men and women with the right underlying signs - amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, irregular cycles, uterine bleeding.
• Can be used to dispel ectopic pregnancy.
• Ulcerative colitis, urinary stones.

• Avoid during pregnancy.
• Not generally applicable to heavy menstrual bleeding coming from deficiency.

• Qi and Blood stagnation blocking the channels and collaterals - pain in the extremities, shoulder pain, elbow pain, leg pain.
• With the right underlying patterns - possibly useful for fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, etc.
• Arthritic conditions - rheumatoid, neuralgia.

• Avoid during pregnancy.

Coming Soon...

• Primarily used for blood stasis with wind-damp in the channels and collaterals characterized by internal deficiency with external excesses - joint pain, muscle aches, numbness and/or pain in the lower extremities (may be severe).
• Wind-cold damp bi-syndrome (i.e. arthritis) - particularly in the lower part of the body, hips, knees, lower back.
• Sciatic pain with the correct underlying pattern.
• Neck pain with the correct underling pattern.
• Fractures that are reluctant to heal, particularly in the lower body.

• Avoid during pregnancy.
• Generally not for long term use and use with caution if at all in deficient patients.

• The primary base formula for tonifying the blood and regulating menstruation in Chinese Medicine terms - irregular cycles, amenorrhea or long cycles.
• Postpartum issues such as uterine bleeding when arising from blood deficiency.
• General blood deficiency symptoms - dry skin, dry eyes, dry hair, anemia, calf cramping.  Certain version of dermatitis, psoriasis and other skin conditions - diabetic ulcers, etc.
• With the right underlying factors threatened miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy.
• Fertility issues, endometriosis.

• Avoid during the early phases of a cold or flu.

Cough with watery, copious sputum, breathing issues such as wheezing, asthma, shortness of breath (particularly difficulty inhaling), chest oppression.  Possibly signs of kidney qi/yang deficiency such as edema, weak low back and/or legs, fatigue.

The Tongue will have a white coating that can be either greasy or slippery.

• Stiffness, pain, and/or tightness of the neck.

• Anxiety, insomnia, irritability, night sweats, hot flashes, flushing or sensation of heat in the palms due to deficiency heat.
• Insomnia, poor memory, poor focus and concentration due to yin deficiency.

• Constipation, hard stools, dark urine from dryness.
• Feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen due to sluggish bowels.

• Use with caution during pregnancy.

• Irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, excessive uterine bleeding or spotting between cycles. 
• Infertility, history of miscarriage. 

• Use with caution with patients that present with heat signs.

Coming Soon...

• Painful urination with cloudy or dark urine due to heat.
• Possibly blood in the urine -bright red blood not occult.

• Use with caution during pregnancy.

• Generally used with roundworms - abdominal pain, irritability, stifled chest w/heat, vomiting after eating, cold hands and/or feet.  
• Chronic diarrhea, IBS, or other digestive disorders characterized by both heat and cold.

• Arthritis from damp heat in Chinese Medicine terms.
• Knee issues with kidney and liver systems involvement.
• Lower body pain and/or inflammation - hips, knees, ankles, toes especially when the pain moves around due to interior wind.
• Connective tissue disorders.

• Generally for short-term use with early stage heat toxins - sores, carbuncles, boils, styes, acne.  Swollen and painful skin lesions with other heat signs (chills/fever). 
• Breast abscesses, mastitis.
• Uses for rheumatoid arthritis and/or psoriasis with the right underlying diagnosis.
• Internal abscesses from blood stasis.

• Generally not for long-term use.
• Use with caution with spleen qi deficiency.
• Avoid with yin fire.

• Itchy and red skin lesions, possibly with weeping -psoriasis, eczema, acne, etc.
• Topical allergic response, dermatitis -poison ivy, oak, sumac.
• Acute [allergic] edema in the limbs.

• Use with caution with patients that present with yin and or blood deficiency.

Coming Soon...

• Depression, anxiety, loss of motivation - resulting from liver qi stagnation.
• Fatigue, bloating, changes in appetite from the combination of spleen qi deficiency with liver qi stagnation.
• PMS, breast distention, irregular menstruation and in some cases infertility.

• Use with caution during pregnancy.

• Qi and Blood stagnation - pain, cardiovascular issues, physical organ issues.
• Coronary artery disease, angina and other cardiovascular issues.
• Hepatitis and other liver function issues.
• Migraines, headaches, neuralgia from most causes.
• A range of menstrual issues including dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids - particularly with pain and/or bleeding.
• Certain diagnostic types of psychological illness, schizophrenia, bipolar, chronic depression, etc.

• Avoid during pregnancy.
• Avoid with heavy menstrual bleeding.
• Use only under direction if you are taking blood thinners.
• Generally not for long term use.

• GI issues from yin deficiency (liver and kidney) with liver qi stagnation leading to stomach yin issues - gastritis, ulcers, reflux, bloating.
• The underlying factors lead to dryness of the blood, that coupled with liver qi stagnation and yin deficiency may lead to PMS, inosmnia, etc.
• With the right underlying factors useful for a range of liver conditions - hepatitis, fatty liver.
• Essential hypertension, preeclampsia.

• Hemorrhoids and/or constipation from an accumulation of damp-heat and toxins in the lower jiao - possibly bleeding hemorrhoids, pain, rectal prolapse, anal itching.
• With the right underlying factors may also be useful for vaginal bleeding with abdominal pain, possibly with dark clots.

• Cold extremities, fatigue, weak/aching low back, knees, waist, aversion to cold, loose stools - due to kindney yang deficiency.
• Impotence, infertility, low libedo, low sperm count, abnormal sperm morphology.
• Incontinence or other urinary issues (frequent, difficult to restrain), enlarged prostate.

• Use with caution with patients that present with damp signs.

• Abnormal vaginal discharge - yellow or green colour, cottage-cheese like texture and foul smelling.
• Painful urination, burning, increased urgency/frequency. 
• Yeast infection.

• Bell's Palsy, facial paralysis, slurry of speech, difficulty swallowing.
• Stroke, Transient Ischemic Attack.