The name dong quai translates as “return to order,” based on its restorative properties.
One of the most popular plants in traditional Chinese medicine, dong quai is often used in combination with other herbs primarily for health conditions in women, especially painful menstruation, anemia associated with menstruation, pregnancy, premenstrual syndrome, pelvic pain, recovery from childbirth or illness, and fatigue or low vitality.
In both sexes, it is used for strengthening xue, or blood, for heart conditions, high blood pressure, inflammation, headache, infections, and nerve pain.
Herbal combinations of dong quai are used as a part of formulas for liver and spleen problems. Dong quai is thought to return the body to proper order by nourishing the blood and harmonizing vital energy.
