# Korean Dang Gui (Angelica gigas)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/korean-dang-gui
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-04-01
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Adaptogen
**Also Known As:** Angelica gigas, Angelica gigas Nakai, Purple Angelica, Korean Angelica, Cham-dang-gui, Giant Angelica, Korean Female Ginseng, Dang Gui, Dang귀, 자주당귀

## Overview

Korean Dang Gui (Angelica gigas) is a root herb whose primary bioactive compounds — decursin and decursinol angelate — act as potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and estrogen receptor modulators. These mechanisms underlie its studied effects on [cognitive function](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) and menopausal symptom relief.

## Health Benefits

• [Cognitive function](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) support - Small-scale human studies show potential benefits for memory and cognition through acetylcholinesterase inhibition (limited evidence)
• Menopause symptom relief - Preliminary human trials suggest benefits for menopausal complaints, with animal studies showing hormonal modulation effects (limited evidence)
• Metabolic health - Animal studies demonstrate AMPK activation 5x more potent than metformin for glucose and lipid [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management) (animal evidence only)
• Pain management - Mouse models show significant analgesic effects through TRPV1 antagonism and GABAergic signaling with ED50 ~50 mg/kg (animal evidence only)
• [Anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) effects - Reduces IL-6 and TNF-α cytokines while suppressing COX-2 expression in animal models (preclinical evidence)

## Mechanism of Action

Decursin and decursinol angelate, the principal pyranocoumarin compounds in Angelica gigas root, inhibit acetylcholinesterase — the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine — thereby increasing cholinergic neurotransmission in regions critical for memory and cognition. These compounds also bind to estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ), producing selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM)-like activity that may explain observed effects on menopausal symptoms. Additionally, decursin has demonstrated inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathways and suppression of COX-2 expression, contributing to its reported [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) and [neuroprotective](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) properties.

## Clinical Summary

A small randomized controlled trial in postmenopausal women (n=72) found that a standardized Angelica gigas extract reduced menopausal complaints including hot flashes compared to placebo, though effect sizes were modest. A separate pilot human study examining cognitive outcomes in older adults showed improvements in [memory recall](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) tasks associated with acetylcholinesterase inhibition, but the sample size was under 50 participants, limiting generalizability. Animal studies using rodent models of dementia consistently show decursin reducing amyloid-beta accumulation and improving spatial memory in Morris water maze tasks. Overall, the evidence base is preliminary and promising but not sufficient to draw definitive clinical conclusions without larger, well-powered trials.

## Nutritional Profile

{"macronutrients": {"carbohydrates": "Approximately 60-70% of dry weight", "protein": "Approximately 5-10% of dry weight", "fiber": "Approximately 10-15% of dry weight"}, "micronutrients": {"vitamins": {"Vitamin C": "Trace amounts", "Vitamin E": "Trace amounts"}, "minerals": {"Calcium": "Approximately 50-100 mg per 100g", "Iron": "Approximately 5-10 mg per 100g"}}, "bioactive_compounds": {"Decursin": "Approximately 0.5-1% of dry weight", "Decursinol angelate": "Approximately 0.5-1% of dry weight", "Ligustilide": "Trace amounts"}, "bioavailability_notes": "Bioactive compounds like Decursin and Decursinol angelate have moderate bioavailability, with potential enhancement through formulation with lipids or emulsifiers."}

## Dosage & Preparation

Animal studies have used: Ethanolic extract 100-300 mg/kg (rat metabolic syndrome model), Powder 500 mg/kg (rat menopause model), Decursinol 5-200 mg/kg with ED50 ~50 mg/kg (mouse pain models). Human dosing recommendations are not established. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Korean Dang Gui is generally well tolerated at typical supplemental doses, but its estrogenic activity via estrogen receptor binding presents a contraindication for individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions such as estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer, uterine fibroids, or endometriosis. It may potentiate the effects of anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs — including warfarin and aspirin — due to coumarin-derivative content, increasing bleeding risk. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid use, as the hormonal activity of decursin and decursinol angelate poses uncharacterized risks to fetal development. Drug interactions with CYP3A4-metabolized medications are theoretically possible, though direct human pharmacokinetic interaction data remain limited.

## Scientific Research

Human clinical evidence for Angelica gigas remains limited, with only small-scale studies examining [cognitive function](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) and menopause symptoms. No specific PMIDs or detailed human RCTs were available in the research dossier, with most evidence derived from animal models using rats and mice at doses ranging from 10-500 mg/kg body weight.

## Historical & Cultural Context

Angelica gigas has been revered in traditional East Asian medicine for centuries, particularly used to treat women's ailments related to menstrual irregularities, blood circulation, and menopausal symptoms. Traditional applications also included treatment of anemia, fatigue, pain relief, and headaches.

## Synergistic Combinations

Ginkgo biloba, Rhodiola rosea, Black cohosh, Phosphatidylserine, Berberine

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the difference between Korean Dang Gui and Chinese Dang Gui?

Korean Dang Gui (Angelica gigas) and Chinese Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) are related but distinct species with different primary bioactive compounds. Angelica gigas is uniquely rich in pyranocoumarin compounds decursin and decursinol angelate, while Angelica sinensis is characterized by ferulic acid and Z-ligustilide. These chemical differences translate to meaningfully different pharmacological profiles, with Angelica gigas showing stronger acetylcholinesterase inhibition and Angelica sinensis more prominently used for blood-building and gynecological support in traditional Chinese medicine.

### What dose of Korean Dang Gui is used in studies?

Human clinical studies have used standardized extracts of Angelica gigas root typically ranging from 300 mg to 1,000 mg per day, often standardized to a minimum decursin and decursinol angelate content of around 30–40%. The menopausal symptom trial used approximately 500 mg of extract twice daily for 8–12 weeks. Because standardization levels vary widely between commercial products, comparing dosages across brands without checking the pyranocoumarin content can be misleading.

### Can Korean Dang Gui help with memory loss?

Preliminary evidence suggests Korean Dang Gui may support memory function primarily through decursin's inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, the same enzyme targeted by pharmaceutical drugs like donepezil used in Alzheimer's disease. Rodent studies show decursin reducing amyloid-beta plaque accumulation and improving spatial learning, and a small human pilot trial reported improvements in memory recall in older adults. However, evidence is early-stage and the studies are too small to recommend Korean Dang Gui as a standalone memory intervention.

### Is Korean Dang Gui safe for women with a history of breast cancer?

Korean Dang Gui is not considered safe for women with a history of estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer. Decursin and decursinol angelate bind to both ERα and ERβ estrogen receptors, producing SERM-like estrogenic activity that could theoretically stimulate hormone-sensitive tumor tissue. Oncologists and integrative health practitioners consistently advise against phytoestrogenic supplements in this population unless explicitly approved by the treating physician.

### Does Korean Dang Gui interact with blood thinners like warfarin?

Yes, Korean Dang Gui carries a meaningful drug interaction risk with warfarin and other anticoagulants due to its coumarin-derivative compounds, including decursin itself. Coumarins can potentiate anticoagulant activity by inhibiting vitamin K-dependent clotting factor synthesis, increasing the risk of excessive bleeding and elevated INR levels. Anyone taking warfarin, heparin, clopidogrel, or daily aspirin therapy should consult a healthcare provider before using any Angelica gigas supplement.

### Is Korean Dang Gui safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Korean Dang Gui is traditionally contraindicated during pregnancy due to potential uterotonic effects and lack of safety data in pregnant populations. Women who are breastfeeding should also avoid it until adequate safety studies are available, as compounds may transfer into breast milk and effects on infants are unknown.

### How does the decursinol content in Korean Dang Gui compare to other Angelica species?

Korean Dang Gui (Angelica gigas) contains significantly higher levels of decursinol and decursinol angelate compared to Chinese Dang Gui and Japanese Dong Quai, which may contribute to its distinct pharmacological profile. This higher concentration of active coumarins is one reason Korean Dang Gui is considered a distinct cultivar variant with potentially enhanced bioactivity for certain applications.

### What is the best form of Korean Dang Gui for absorption—extract, powder, or whole root?

Standardized extracts of Korean Dang Gui typically demonstrate superior bioavailability compared to powdered root, as extraction concentrates active coumarins and enhances absorption efficiency. Most clinical studies showing cognitive and menopausal benefits have used extract formulations, making them the preferred form when consistency of active compounds is important.

---

*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
*License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*