Dong quai is one of the most famous herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. Sometimes called “female ginseng,” its thick, brown roots are best known for treating PMS, painful periods, and other issues exclusive to women. But men can use it too for other health complaints.
This plant is found at high altitudes throughout the Far East. At first glance, dong quai’s white umbrella-shaped flowers look like Queen Anne’s lace. The plants are related, both belonging to a family that includes fennel, carrots, and celery.
It has been shown to stimulate the uterus, but it has also been shown to relax it, depending on how it's prepared.