Dong quai tea is commonly known as a woman’s tonic for all her hormonal problems. This article discusses the benefits and side effects of the same.
Dong quai, also known as Angelica sinensis, is a plant with pale green flowers, and it is commonly grown in countries like China, Korea, and Japan. This tea is made from the roots of this plant and it is said to be the best medicine for many serious hormonal problems that women suffer from. About thousands of years earlier, this herb was used by Chinese women for hormonal issues, and when it was tested to give positive results, women all around the world started using it.
Benefits
The main use of the dong quai tea is to stabilize and improve many gynecological conditions which can be serious at times. It has a number of benefits for the female reproductive organ, such as:
- It has active constituents like sequiterpenes, beta-sitosterol, ligustilide, and dihyrophthalic anhydride.
- It is very rich in vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, cobalt, potassium, iron, and magnesium. This helps in the formation of blood, coagulation, and development of the immune system.
- It is considered as an analgesic and a sedative, with anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-coagulant, anti-bacterial, and antifungal properties.
- It may be of great help in reducing the chances of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), and it also helps to reduce the menstrual pains.
- It may also reduce the difficulties related with menopausal symptoms like, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, insomnia, and mood swings.
- It complements the treatment of ovarian cancer and helps in reducing the pain to quite an extent.
- Similarly, fatigue, anemia, and high blood pressure in both the sexes, can also be treated using dong quai tea.
- It relieves the pain caused by poor circulation, neuralgia, and arthritis as these are very painful diseases. But the doses are needed to be prescribed by the doctor.
- This tea stimulates the production of red blood corpuscles in the body, which have an important function of carrying oxygen throughout the body.
- It can even help in calming the brain and keeping you away from distress and irritation.
Side Effects
Along with its multiple benefits, dong quai tea may also have the following side effects:
- Excess use of this tea may lead to the onset of breast cancer at any age after puberty. The phytoestrogens which have the capability to maintain hormonal balances in the female reproductive system, can sometimes backfire and lead to a cancerous growth.
- It can cause photo-sensitivity in the skin, which can cause skin rashes and inflammation. If the skin is subjected to too much light, it can swell or turn red.
- Pregnant woman should not consume this tea, as it can cause miscarriages. This is due to its hormonal and anti-coagulant properties.
- It also causes excessive blood thinning due to a component called coumarin derivative, which is present in the roots of this herb.
- Gynecomastia, circulatory and respiratory disorders, and many abdominal disorders can be caused as a result of over use of this tea.
With so many benefits and side effects, you must have realized that dong quai tea is only beneficial if used correctly. Before you start, make sure you consult a doctor and follow proper dosage.
