Dong Quai Constituents

The image above is from the class lesson I attended.

On to dong quai constituents.

Angelol (Coumarin):

Bergapten (also known as 5-methoxypsoralen) (Coumarin) has been used to treat vitiligio and psoriasis and is phototoxic in lime peel extracts and essential oils. Petersen adds it can cause photosentization and is carcinogenic (Hoffman, 2003, p. 95, 210; Petersen, 2018).

Carvacrol (Volatile Oil): is in many plants of the Lamiaceae family. It is a strong antiseptic and has anti-fungal and anthelmintic properties as well (Hoffman, 2003, p. 65; Ganora, 2009, p. 135).

Coumarins inhibit aggression but are considered weak.  They are phytoestrogenic.

Essential Oils are steam soluble. These are often the active compounds in the plant but even more so, they are often needed to activate the other constituents of the plant for a synergistic effect (Ganora, 2009, p. 19, 43, 45, 46, 51, 68 ,109, 134, 137, 139).

Ferulic Acid (Polyphenolic Acid) increases phagocytosis (Hoffman, 2003, p. 152).

Isosafrole is carcinogenic (Petersen, 2018).

Ligustilide (Essential Oil):

N-butylidene phthalide (Essential Oil):

Osthol (Coumarin) may inhibit platelet aggregation and smooth muscle contraction. May also cause hypotension (Petersen, 2018).

Phytosterols: mean there is a hydroxyl group attached to the C3 and an extra methyl or ethyl in the side chain. This is what differentiates it from an animal sterol (phyto meaning plant). Ganora says these are soluble in oil. She says these are good for cholesterol, blood lipids, and reduce blood-soluble vitamins in the blood. These are good for enlarged prostates and some are anti-carcinogenic.  These also are believed to be responsible for sexual and hormonal toning activities. The major phytosterols which may come up later are beta-sitosterol, campestrerol, and stigmasterol (Hoffman, 2003, p. 83, 143; Ganora, 2009, 44, 46, 64, 69, 91, 92, 134, 145).

Polyacetylenes (Sesquiterpese lactone glycosides) are alcohol-solvent between 40-60% (Ganora, 2009, p. 44, 64, 85, 97, 98). Petersen (2018) adds they are anti-microbial (p. 169).

Polysaccharides (Mucilage) activate the macrophages which initiates the body’s defenses against pathogens and cancer cells (Hoffman, 2003, p. 544).

Psoralen (Coumarin):

Safrole (Phenylpropanoid, Essential Oil, Terpenes) is found in the essential oil. Some science claims this is carginogenic but when a sassafras tea with the constituent is consumed, it's not. The amount of the constituent probably plays a role here (Ganora, 2009, p. 109).

Sesquiterpenes (in volatile oil): Constituents are often classified based on structure and this particular one makes that hard...  There are over 200 structure types. The 3 main structures are acyclic, monocytclic, and bicyclic. Some of these act as pheromones for communication between plants. Some provide a defensive role (Hoffman, 2003, p. 67).

Volatile oil: Volatile just means they evaporate more quickly than other substances. If it says "volatile", you want to use the plant as fresh as possible and try not to warm it up in any way (Ganora, 2009, p. 52, 57, 61, 134, 139). Chevallier (2016) says volatile oils are what is extracted from the plant to make essential oils and are made of a lot of compounds, sometimes as much as 100 (p. 14).

Have a Great Day!