0.25 to 0.4 mcg/100 grams B12 in dried Angelica sinensis (Dong Quai)

Hi, here are some sites that write about B12 in Dong Quay (the 'female Ginseng') contains vitamin B12.


Dong quai contains vitamins E, A and B12 http://www.healthsalon.com/dong.htm

Key Compononents -Chinese Angelica:
beta-sitosterol
coumarins
vitamin B12
volatile oil [butylidine phthalide, ligustilide, sesquiterpenes, carvacrol])
The root is a rich source of vitamin B12, folic acid, and niacin, which may explain its blood-building attributes because these B vitamins are instrumental in making blood cells.
http://www.innvista.com/health/herbs/angelica.htm

Dong quai is frequently used by the Chinese as a strengthening treatment for the heart, spleen, liver and kidneys. Both men and women use the herb as a general blood tonic.
Dong quai contains vitamins E, A and B12. Researchers have isolated at least six coumarin derivatives that exert antispasmodic and vasodilatory effects. These elements can prevent spasms, reduce blood clotting and relax peripheral blood vessels. Research has shown that don quai produces a balancing effect on estrogen activity. http://www.tripleaspectherbs.com/Bul.../dong_quai.htm


The root is an ingredient of 'Four Things Soup', the most widely used woman's tonic in China. The other species used are Rehmannia glutinosa, Ligusticum wallichii and Paeonia lactiflora.
The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use.
Known Hazards: All members of this genus contain furocoumarins, which increase skin sensitivity to sunlight and may cause dermatitis.
http://www.geocities.com/nutriflip/N...aSinensis.html

Though the vitamin B12, content is low in tang kuei, the vitamins may nevertheless be responsible for its hematinic action. http://www.newvita.com/ingredients/a1.html

As a rich source of vitamin B12, dong quai may play a role in stimulating red blood cell production. http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshel...25,774,00.html

he hemotinic, or blood tonic, effect of Dong quai is now attributed to its vitamin B12, folic acid, folinic acid, nicotinic acid and biotin contents. Dong quai is also rich in the metal cobalt, which is the major element responsible of vitamin B12's blood enriching action. Experiments have shown that once vitamin B12 loses 0.01 gram of cobalt, its blood enriching effect immediately disappears. http://www.chinese-herbs.org/dong-qu...e-effects.html

Dang Gui contains significant quantity of vitamin B12 and vitamin E, and biotin, ferulic acid, nicotinic acid, butylidenephalide, ligustilide, folinic acid, succinic acid, carotene, beta-sitosterol, sequiterpenes, and carvacrol. http://dreampharm.com/garlic/angelica.asp

CAUTIONS
Do not take Dong Quai during pregnancy; and it would be wise to avoid it when taking any other product or drug which affects the female hormone system - such as HRT or the contraceptive pill. http://www.alternative-healthzine.com/html/0800_2.html

This herb, also known as dang-gui, contains vitamins E, A and B12.
Dong quai is considered to be the ultimate, all-purpose woman's tonic herb and is mostly used for female problems.
Part used: Roots.
Don't use during the first months of your pregnancy, or if you have diarrhea, bloating or if you are taking blood thinning agents. http://www.herbsherbals.com/dongquai.html

Use: Dong Quai is an herbal that has been used to treat various gynecological disorders. Specific uses include vaginal dryness, menstrual cramps, symptoms of PMS or menopause, and infertility. Dong Quai is also thought to provide energy, vitality, and resistance to disease. It has also been promoted to help circulation and regulate menstrual cycles, particularly after a woman has been on birth control pills.
Effects: For its effects on fertility, Dong Quai is probably most beneficial to women who have irregular menstural cycles. It is thought that this herb is helpful in regulating cycles, particularly after stopping oral contraceptives. Regularity then makes ovulation more predictable. Dong Quai contains vitamin B12 and folic acid which provides beneficial effects for certain types of anemia. It is important to note that this herb contains blood-thinners, which may reduce blood clotting, and vasodilators that can relax peripheral blood vessels. Clinical studies have not yet proven these effects, so the herb should only be used under close supervision of a physician.
People who should not take this product: This drug should not be used in pregnant women, women with excessive menstrual flow, during a menstrual period, and in patients on blood thinners, such as Coumadin¬ (warfarin), or aspirin. http://www.fertilitext.org/p1-101/ma...onception.html

As a rich source of vitamin B12, dong quai may play a role in stimulating red blood cell production. It may therefore indirectly boost energy and lessen fatigue by increasing the number of red blood cells transporting oxygen throughout the body. When used in conjunction with other herbs, dong quai also mildly dilates blood vessels, facilitating the heart's pumping ability and possibly lowering blood pressure as a result. Chinese doctors have long prescribed the herb for high blood pressure and circulatory problems. http://www.healthcatalog.com/dong_quai.htm

The herb is also rich in vitamin B12, and so may help build red blood cells. http://www.herbalicious.com/herb_DONG_KUAI.html

Though the vitamin B12 content is low in tang kuei, the vitamins may nevertheless be responsible for its hematinic action. http://www.newvita.com/ingredients/a1.html

Dong quai also provides a natural source of vitamin B12, which plays an important role in healthy blood formation. Suitable for vegans. http://www.thinknatural.com/supersto...1&pf_id=501218

Dong Quai Lady's Herb Tea
Dong Quai Lady's Herb Tea (Tangui LadyÍs Herb Tea), an excellent drink flavored with jasmine flower, is made of the famous Chinese Dong Quai (Angelica chinensis) grown on the pollution-free high plateau of northwest China. Dong Quai contains fatty acids, succinic acid, various amino acids, volatile oil, B12, etc., and as a blood builder and circulator, is used in Chinese medicine for maintaining normal gynecological functions, to regulate female hormone, cycles, alleviate cramps and mid-life hot flashes, to prevent hair loss, and to maintain youthfulness. http://www.healthkingenterprise.com/...ailadystea.htm

Vitamin B12 is found in the dried root in significant amounts (0.25 to 0.4 mcg/100 grams of dried root), in addition to folic acid and nicotinic acid found in the root. This partially explains the beneficial effects of dong quai on anemia. http://www.vitaminherbuniversity.com...4&topicid=1053 (Comment - is 0.25-0.4 mcg b12/100g really 'significant'??)






Dong quai root has a broad range of nutritional activity, including action in the circulatory, nervous and immune systems. It is also known to aid muscle, joint and skin elements of the structural system. Not only is it a natural source of B12, but dong quai also contains high amounts of vitamin E. http://www.herbsnow.com/fc.htm




Phytochemicals Include: Alpha-pinene, Aluminum, Arachidonic-acid, Ascorbic-acid, Ash, Bergapten, Beta-carotene, Beta-sitosterol, Beta-sitosterol-glucoside, Biotin, Cadinene, Calcium, Carbohydrates, Carvacrol, Choline, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, EO, Falcarindiol, Falcarinol, Falcarinone, Ferulic-acid, Folacin, Folinic-acid, Fructose, Glucose, Iron, Isosafrole, Ligustilide, Linoleic-acid, Magnesium, Manganese, Myristic-acid, N-butylidenphthalide, N-butylphthalide, N-dodecanol, N-valero-phenone-o-carbonic-acid, N-valerophenone-o-carboxylic-acid, Nico-tinamide, Nicotinic-acid, Oleic-acid, P-cymene, Palmitic-acid, Pantothenic- acid, Phosphorus, Phthalides, Potassium, Protein, Riboflavin, Safrole, Scopoletin, Sedanoic-acid, Selenium, Sesquiterpene, Silicon, Sodium, Stearic-acid, Thiamin, Tin Umbelliferone, Vanilic-acid, Vit-B12, Vit-E, Zinc http://www.rain-tree.com/dongquai.htm

Dong Quai should not be used:

during first trimester of pregnancy because it may affect the muscular functioning of the uterus (however in traditional Chinese medicine Dong Quai is used routinely to calm the fetus and nowhere is it contraindicated)

during breast-feeding
with a tendency to spontaneous abortion
with a bleeding tendency
for women with very heavy periods
when suffering from abdominal bloating
when suffering from chronic diarrhea
when suffering from a cold or flu
with acute viral infections such as colds or influenza
with increased menstrual flow or hemorrhagic disease

High doses of Dong Quai can cause some fair-skinned people to become more sensitive to sunlight causing:

rashes
skin inflammation

People using it on a regular basis should limit prolonged exposure to the sun or other sources of ultraviolet radiation or use sunscreen while taking the herb. http://www.globalherbalsupplies.com/.../dong_quai.htm


According to http://www.newfoundationspubl.org/sh...e/angelica.htm , http://www.aspen-products.com/SuperK...gredients.html , and and other sites, the American sister of Dong Quai, also contains B12.

I stumbled across this little article yesterday. Anyone know anything about this herb?

:confused:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelica_sinensis


This link does not mention B12 however:

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/...rbs/cangel.htm

I must have seen at least 15-20 different claims about a given plant being the only non-animal source of B12! :) You'll find some more Dong Quai links here...

Thanks Korm, didn't realise this plant had already been discussed on the forum. The general body of opinion does seem to suggest that it DOES contain B12 though. Have you ever tried it?

Not tried it...

More here.

If you fancy growing some, there's seeds available here (listed as chinese angelica):

http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/seed...lica%20Chinese