Angelica sinensis
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iAngelica sinensis | ||||||||||||||
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Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels |
Angelica sinensis or "female ginseng" is a herb from the family Apiaceae, indigenous to China. Its root is commonly known in Chinese as dong quai or danggui (Traditional Chinese: 當歸; Simplified Chinese: 当归; pinyin: dāngguī) and is widely used in Chinese traditional medicine to treat gynecological ailments, fatigue, mild anemia and high blood pressure. Danggui possesses the distinction of being the only non-animal source of Vitamin B12, along with some varieties of yeast.[1][2]. It has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and sedative effects. The plant's phytochemicals consist of coumarins, phytosterols, polysaccharides, ferulate, and flavonoids.
It is also used as an aphrodisiac.
A. sinensis is also used in traditional Korean medicine, where it is called 당귀.