Female ginseng-Dong Quay - Extract powders
Processing
The Angelica sinensis plant is not a member from the Araliaceae family and is therefore not a real ginseng. Nevertheless is Dong Quai one of the most important strengthening herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine.Because some adaptogene actions are comparable with those from real ginseng, Dong Quai is also called Female or Women's Ginseng.
The Dong Quai roots are harvested and dried. After drying the Dong Quai roots go into a carefully controlled extraction process with the desired concentration of ligustilides as a result.
Because some active components of the Dong Quai root only dissolve in water and others only in alcohol, a particular mixture of alcohol and water is used for extraction.
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A highly controlled processing method ensures that the dry Dong Quai roots are processed into extract powders according approved standard processes. |
After extraction the alcohol is distilled from the liquid extract. Then the liquid extract is dried into an extract powder. This standard process ensures a Dong Quai extract powder with a minimum of 1% ligustilides.
Composition of extract powders
Dong Quai extract powders are only made from the dried roots of the Angelica sinensis plant.Apart from some exceptions, almost all basic Dong Quai extract powders are made without carriers or additives. At a customer's request a desired additive can still be added.
Packaging
For amounts less than 25 kg, Dong Quai extract powders are packed per 1 kg in airtight aluminum bags with PE-inner layer. Bags with 5 kg are also available.Larger bulk quantities are packed in standard plastic bags in cardboard boxes or barrels.
Properties
Standard Dong Quai extract powders dissolve not very well in water. With some adjustments in the production process it is possible to make extract powders that dissolve well in water.The color of most Dong Quai extract powders is yellow-brownish.
Dong Quai extract powders have a sharp sweet aroma which is characteristic for Dong Quai.
Compared to the absorption of the active constituents from ground root powder, the absorption of the active constituents from extract powders is about double.
A possible practical disadvantage from Dong Quai extract powders is that they are quite hygroscopic: they easy attract moisture from the air. When not preserved the right way the powder is at a high risk of clotting together. Keeping it dry in closed packaging is therefore vital.
Additives
To reduce the costs of the extract powder, adding filler is an option. The cheapest filler is ground rice flour.For other (process technological) reasons also other possible additives like: dicalcium phosphate, malto dextrin, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate or glucose powder are used. Of course other additives, carriers or fillers are possible too.
Another benefit of adding filler to the extract powder is that it can drastically decrease the hygroscopic nature of the product.
Dosage
In-vitro-tests have shown that the absorption of active constituents from Dong Quai extract powders is double the absorption of dried Dong Quai roots or root powders. Counted in milligrams, this means that in order to get the same results a double dose of ground root powders is needed in comparison to extract powders.For optimal therapeutic results of Dong Quai extract powder containing 1% ligustilides it is advised to take 500-1000 mg 3x per day, so in total 1,5-3,0 grams daily.
Practical experiences have demonstrated that activity and effects of Dong Quai do not decline proportionally as a daily dose is lowered.
There is no dangerous (damaging) maximum daily dose, but 100 mg of concentrated Dong Quai extract powder containing 1% ligustilides should be considered as a minimal dose. If you take less than 100 mg a day it will most likely not contribute anything.
When mixed with other medicinal herbs, a lower dose as advised of Dong Quai might be sufficient.
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