Dong Quai: The New Ginseng
During menopause, women may experience a number of uncomfortable menopause symptoms caused by hormone fluctuations in the body. Symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, night sweats, loss of libido and mood swings. Such physical and emotional effects are caused by fluctuations in the female hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, which instigate the bodily changes that take place at this time in a woman's life.
There are a number of different natural and herbal ways to deal with these uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. Ginseng has been a popular herbal treatment for menopause symptoms. Ginseng is an herbal supplement native to China, Korea and Siberia, which has been traditionally used for female reproductive health.
However, ginseng is having to step aside for a new social climber…Introducing: Dong Quai.
Read on to find out about dong quai, what it is, how to take it and how it can help with your menopause symptoms.
1. What is Dong Quai?
Dong quai is an herb native to China, Japan and Korea. It is known as the "female ginseng", as it is used to balance female hormone during the menstrual cycle. It has traditionally been used in Asian medicine, and was used widely in Europe in the late 1800s to remedy gynecological problems. It can also be found under the following names:
Angelic sinensis
Chinese Angelica
Female ginseng
Dang gui (Chinese)
Toki (Japanese)
Tanggwi (Korean)
2. Where can I find Dong Quai?
While native to Asia, dong quai can be found all over the world. It is available in a variety of forms including pills, powder, dried roots, fluid extracts, tinctures, decoctions and dried leaf preparations. Its versatility means that it is easy to incorporate into any daily routine.
3. How Can Dong Quai Help my Menopause Symptoms?
Dong quai is a phytoestrogenic herb, which means that it contains a substance called phytoestrogen. Phytoestrogen is a chemical, naturally produced in the plant, which has a similar molecular make up to the estrogen that is found in the human body. When ingested and absorbed into the bloodstream, phytoestrogen mimics the role of natural estrogen. It balances the fluctuating levels of estrogen in a woman's body during menopause, and lessens some of the symptoms that occur as a result. By balancing estrogen levels, dong quai can therefore help ease symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, loss of libido and mood swings.
Ginseng, step aside.
Dong quai is an increasingly popular, readily available, natural remedy that can help alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. Click here for more information on how to use dong quai to treat menopause.
