Dang gui, a commonly used herb for gynecological problems

DANG gui (angelica) literally means "supposed to return." It is a commonly used herb for gynecological problems.

Since it is especially effective in regulating blood and energy circulation for menstruation, the name "dang gui" probably indicates its function of having energy and blood "return" to where they belong. However, a sad love story seems to be accepted more widely as the origin of its name.

According to the tale, a newly married man left his wife to go to the mountains in search of medicinal herbs. He promised to come back within three years unless he died. The wife later had a gynecological problem.

The man returned more than three years later and found his wife had married another guy since she thought he was dead. He gave her a bunch of herbs and wished her all the best.

Regretting getting remarried, the wife chewed on the herb. Surprisingly, she found her menstruation became regular again in weeks.

The herb was later studied and used to help women reinforce blood, activate circulation, regulate menstruation and relieve Painful Menstruation.