Dong quai.

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
Subject: Re: Dong Quai info??
From: hrbmoore.rt66.com (Michael Moore)
Date: 3 Oct 1995 19:09:39 GMT

> Can anyone tell me about Dong Quai, or tell me where to find info on it? I saw a posting recommending Pau D'arco & Dong Quai on this board for uterine fibroids and want to try it. My MD's only solution is a hysterectomy. I like the parts I was born with and want to hang on to them, but the pain was so bad last week that I passed out for a few minutes, then woke up and threw up. It's time to do *something*!
> Any sources of info would be greatly appreciated

In my opinion, Dong Quai is SELDOM indicated for use with fibroids. Dong Quai is an estrogen synergist; many (if not most) fibroids contain estrogen-binding cells and in fact may be stimulated by Dong Quai. (I believe that this assessment holds up in the TCM energetic model of its use as well)

My suggestions would be the use of 20 drops of FRESH Trillium tincture (whole plant or even the foliage is fine...it saves the plants from being harvested only for their bulbs/tubers) with 60-90 drops of fresh or recently dried Shepherd's Purse tincture (Capsella bursa-pastoris), or 2-4 oz. of a 1:32 tea of the recent herb (1:32 means a ratio of 1 ounce of dried herb in a quart of tea, or, more loosely, 2-4 grams of the herb in tea). This should be taken 3 times a day when the symptoms are acute.

This helps to heal the tissues. Fibroids are an organic condition, that is, they are impairments of tissue function and structure. They have a CAUSE, although it seems ill understood. Sometimes this treatment holds. Sometimes the fibroids return to a symptomatic state and regrow...much depends on where they are found within the layers of the uterine tissues.

I would also suggest attempting to go onto an "estrogen diminishing" diet, and think about moving towards more soy beans and other legumes, as well as the consuption of more Brassicas, such as broccoli and the like. There are many books on this subject, bearing more sophisticated information (I'm an herb guy). I would be careful, living in Alaska and all, about cutting down TOO much on your protein and fat consumption...just IMPROVE it.

I, frankly, have no idea why you would want to use Pau D'Arco (Tabebuia spp.). It is a useful anti-oxidant and anti-fungal. I fail to see its implication with fibroids. Besides, it is a pocket-change byproduct of rain-forest timbering...don't let anyone fool you otherwise.

From: p_iannone.pop.com (Paul Iannone)

: In my opinion, Dong Quai is SELDOM indicated for use with fibroids. (I believe that this assessment holds up in the TCM energetic model of its use as well)

Not really. Fibroids due to Heat, yes. But fibroids due to Blood Stagnation, no. Dang gui, in formula, would certainly be used in such a case.