Dong quai is an ancient Chinese herbal remedy that people have used as a spice, tonic as well as for medicinal purposes. It has been used for over a thousand years and is reputed to cure a wide variety of different ailments and ills. Some of its most common uses have been in relieving constipation, treating anemia by helping to raise the red blood count and has also proven to be very effective when it comes to problems associated with menstrual disorders.

The Chinese have used and relied on a system of health care called traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years; dong quai has been a part of this system when treating with herbal remedies. Treatments have been given for respiratory, reproductive and circulatory problems to name but just a few.

Dong quai is a plant widely grown in China, Korea and Japan in high altitudes and it is the yellowish brown thick roots which are commonly used for medicinal purposes. It takes three years of cultivating the plant before it can be used, after which time the plant is harvested and the root used in tablets, powders and other medicinal forms.

It is an herb that is used for a wide variety of illnesses and complaints and in laboratory tests has proven to be effective in reducing pain, dilating blood vessels and relaxing uterine contractions. Other studies have suggested that dong quai could successfully restore an abnormal heartbeat, stop the accumulation of platelets in blood vessels. It also shows that it could be used in the treatment of insomnia successfully, protects the liver from damage, act as a mild laxative and helps to fight off infections.

It is an herb that is considered to be amongst the most versatile and safe, recent studies of women who suffer from menopausal symptoms are thought to be benefiting from its use. In particular it is thought to have great results with hot flashes when associated with the menopause.

There are various methods for the use of dong quai, with dried and powdered herb being the most popular forms followed closely by liquid. When using the dried herb which is taken from the raw root it should be boiled or at the very least soaked in wine before eating. The powdered herb is found readily in capsule form here the recommended dosage is usually around 500 to 600mg and can be taken up to 6 times a day. Liquid is usually taken in the form of drops, the usual recommended dose for drops is between 40 and 80 drops per day which is equivalent to taking 2 to 4 teaspoons.

While dong quai is considered to be one of the safer herbal remedies there are still some considerations to be taken into account. While these are rare and only occur when high does are taken you should still be aware that you can develop sensitivity to sunlight, develop skin inflammation and exposure to sunlight should be avoided.