The source is from the root of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, family Umbelliferae. The medicinal material is mainly produced in the areas of Gansu, Shaanxi, etc., and that produced in Min County of Gansu is the best in quality. The root is dug at the end of autumn, whose fibrous root is removed, dried with mild fire, cut into pieces and used crudely or stir-baked with wine for medication.

Sweet and pungent in flavor, warm in nature and attributive to the liver, heart and spleen meridians.

Nourish the blood, promote blood circulation, relieve pain and moisten the intestine.

 

1. It is indicated for blood deficiency syndromes such as sallow complexion, pale lips, dizziness, palpitation and whitish nails, it is usually used together with Huangqi (Radix Astragali), such as Buxue Tang (Decoction).

2. It is used for irregular menstruation, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea. For those due to blood deficiency, it is used together with Shudihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata), Baishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Alba), and Ejiao ( Colla Corii Asini), etc., such as Siwu Tang (Decoction) and Jiao'ai Tang (Decoction); for those due to blood stasis, used together with Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Ligustici ), Chishaoyao ( Radix Paeoniae Rubra ), Taoren ( Semen Persicae), and Honghua ( Fructus Carthami), etc., such as Tao Hong Siwu Tang (Decoction); for those accompanied by depression of liver-qi resulting in stagnation of qi, combined with Xiangfu (Rhizoma Cyperi ), Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri ), and Yujin ( Radix Curcumae), etc., as well, such as Xuanyu Tongjing Tang (Decoction).

3. It is used for various pains due to blood stasis or Bi-syndrome with pain due to wind-damp. For pains due to blood stasis in limbs, it may be combined with Danshen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae ) , Ruxiang (Olibanum), and Moyao (Myrrha), etc., such as Huoluo Xiaoling Dan (Bolus); for swelling and pains due to trauma, usually combined with Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei ), Taoren ( Semen Persicae ), and Honghua ( Ftos Carthami), etc., such as Fuyuan Huoxue Tang (Decoction); for pains in shoulder and arms due to wind-dampness, usually combined with Qianghuo (Rhizoma et Notopterygii ), Fangfeng ( Radix Saposhnikoviae ),  and Jianghuang (Rhizoma Curcumae Longae ), etc., such as Juanbi Tang (Decoction). It is also used together with Guizhi ( Ramulus Cinnamorni ) , Baishaoyao ( Radix Paeoniae Alba ) and Shengjiang ( Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens ) in treating abdominal pain due to deficiency and cold of the middle-energizer.

4. It is used for large carbuncle and pyocutaneous disease. For the early stage of those with redness, swelling and pain, it is combined with Jinyinhua (Flos Lonicerae ) , Chishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra ) , and Tianhuafen (Radix Trichosanthis), etc., such as Xianfang Huoming Yin (Decoction) ; for the middle age of that with pus before rupture, it should be combined with Zaojiaoci ( Spina Gleditsiae ), Huangqi (Radix Astragali ), and Shudihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata ), etc., such as Tounong San (Powder); for that unhealed after rupture due to deficiency of qi and blood, and with running pus, it is usually combined with Renshen (Radix Ginseng), Huangqi (Radix Astragali ) , and Shudihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata ),  etc., such as Shiquan Dabu Tang (Decoction).

5. It is used in patients with constipation due to blood deficiency and dryness of the intestine, especially for those with weakness due to prolonged illness, the aged and women with postpartum blood deficiency and constipation due to insufficiency of the body fluids, it is usually combined with Shengheshouwu (Radix Polygoni Multiflori, unprepared), Huomaren ( Fructus Cannabis ), Roucongrong (Herba Cistanchis), etc..   

In addition, 5% of Danggui Injection is injected in the acupoints such as Feishu (BL 13) and Danzhong (CV 17) to treat chronic bronchitis.

5 -15 g is used in decoction for oral use. The crude one is generally used, but the one stir-baked with wine is used to promote blood circulation and dredge meridians.

Contraindicated in the cases with domination of dampness and fullness in the middle energizer and diarrhea.