Dong Quai

Last Updated: September 28 2022

Angelica gigas is an herb used in traditional Korean medicine, usually by women. It is being studied for its potential anti-cancer and immune-boosting properties.

Dong Quai is most often used for

Summary

Angelica gigas, also called Dang Gui, is an herb traditionally used in Korean medicine. The plants of the angelica family are used to improve gynecological health.

Though Angelica gigas is often seen as a female supplement, it is also used to improve cardiovascular and immune system health for both men and women.

Preliminary evidence suggests Angelica gigas supplementation may be able to affect hormone levels in a potent way. The herb is also being investigated for its anti-cancer effects, since it may be able to suppress the proliferation and migration of cancer cells. Further research is needed to confirm these effects.

Angelica gigas supplementation increases the level at which B cells reproduce. B cells produce antibodies, so this effect strengthens the immune system.

Angelica gigas is still being researched. It has promise for being used alongside chemotherapy, but more evidence is needed before it can be specifically recommended.

What else is Dong Quai known as?
Note that Dong Quai is also known as:
  • Dang Gui
  • Korean Dang Gui
  • Cham-Dang-Gui
  • Angelica Gigas
Dong Quai should not be confused with:
  • Angelica sinensis (Chinese Dang Gui)
  • Angelica acutiloba (Japanese Dang Gui)

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References
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2.^Zhang J, Li L, Jiang C, Xing C, Kim SH, Lü JAnti-cancer and other bioactivities of Korean Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) and its major pyranocoumarin compoundsAnticancer Agents Med Chem.(2012 Dec)
3.^Joo SS, Park D, Shin S, Jeon JH, Kim TK, Choi YJ, Lee SH, Kim JS, Park SK, Hwang BY, Lee do I, Kim YBAnti-allergic effects and mechanisms of action of the ethanolic extract of Angelica gigas in dinitrofluorobenzene-induced inflammation modelsEnviron Toxicol Pharmacol.(2010 Sep)
4.^Zhao RJ, Koo BS, Kim GW, Jang EY, Lee JR, Kim MR, Kim SC, Kwon YK, Kim KJ, Huh TL, Kim DH, Shim I, Yang CHThe essential oil from Angelica gigas NAKAI suppresses nicotine sensitizationBiol Pharm Bull.(2005 Dec)
5.^Konoshima M, Chi HJ, Hata KCoumarins from the root of Angelica gigas NakaiChem Pharm Bull (Tokyo).(1968 Jun)
6.^Lee HJ, Lee HJ, Lee EO, Lee JH, Lee KS, Kim KH, Kim SH, Lü JIn vivo anti-cancer activity of Korean Angelica gigas and its major pyranocoumarin decursinAm J Chin Med.(2009)
8.^Shin S, Joo SS, Park D, Jeon JH, Kim TK, Kim JS, Park SK, Hwang BY, Kim YBEthanol extract of Angelica gigas inhibits croton oil-induced inflammation by suppressing the cyclooxygenase - prostaglandin pathwayJ Vet Sci.(2010 Mar)
9.^Kim EJ, Kwon J, Park SH, Park C, Seo YB, Shin HK, Kim HK, Lee KS, Choi SY, Ryu do H, Hwang GSMetabolite profiling of Angelica gigas from different geographical origins using 1H NMR and UPLC-MS analysesJ Agric Food Chem.(2011 Aug 24)
15.^Kim HM, Kang JS, Park SK, Lee K, Kim JY, Kim YJ, Hong JT, Kim Y, Han SBAntidiabetic activity of angelan isolated from Angelica gigas NakaiArch Pharm Res.(2008 Nov)
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29.^Abd El-Aty AM, Shah SS, Kim BM, Choi JH, Cho HJ, Hee-Yi, Chang BJ, Shin HC, Lee KB, Shimoda M, Shim JHIn vitro inhibitory potential of decursin and decursinol angelate on the catalytic activity of cytochrome P-450 1A1/2, 2D15, and 3A12 isoforms in canine hepatic microsomesArch Pharm Res.(2008 Nov)
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35.^Choi SS, Han KJ, Lee JK, Lee HK, Han EJ, Kim DH, Suh HWAntinociceptive mechanisms of orally administered decursinol in the mouseLife Sci.(2003 Jun 13)
36.^Seo YJ, Kwon MS, Park SH, Sim YB, Choi SM, Huh GH, Lee JK, Suh HWThe analgesic effect of decursinolArch Pharm Res.(2009 Jun)
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40.^Han SB, Kim YH, Lee CW, Park SM, Lee HY, Ahn KS, Kim IH, Kim HMCharacteristic immunostimulation by angelan isolated from Angelica gigas NakaiImmunopharmacology.(1998 Jul)
41.^Jeon YJ, Han SB, Ahn KS, Kim HMDifferential activation of murine macrophages by angelan and LPSImmunopharmacology.(2000 Sep)
42.^Jeon YJ, Han SB, Ahn KS, Kim HMActivation of NF-kappaB/Rel in angelan-stimulated macrophagesImmunopharmacology.(1999 Jun)
44.^Jeon YJ, Han SB, Lee SH, Kim HC, Ahn KS, Kim HMActivation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways by angelan in murine macrophagesInt Immunopharmacol.(2001 Feb)
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