Angelica Root

Angelica Root

Angelica Root

Ingredient Name:

Chinese angelica root, dang quai, female ginseng

Traditional Chinese Name:

當歸 (dāng guī)

Nature:  Warm

Taste:  Sweet, bitter

Here’s how to build your “Basic Chinese Soup Pantry

This unique Chinese herbal (and fragrant or smelly, depending on how you look at it) is also known as “female ginseng”  and is a popular herb used in Chinese medicine.  It’s a highly revered root, second to the ginseng root.  This herb is indigenous to China and can be found in various forms, such as long dried roots, smaller chips, or powdered.  It’s actually got a very distinct smell when dried and carries that flavour into the soup slightly. 

This ingredient is considered warming and sweet and often used to support blood and qi deficiency, targeting the heart, liver, and spleen.  It’s used to tonify blood, improve circulation, and welcome in tonics and soups for women and menstruation, but is also a very healing herb.

 

How do I prepare it?

    Not much preparation is needed other than rinsing in warm water before usage.   You can also drop it in directly into your soup as well.  

Where can I buy it and cost?

      • You can purchase these from most Asian supermarkets prepackaged
      • You can also purchase this in bulk from specialty stores (online herbal shops)
      • Be sure that you’re buying from a reputable source
      • Angelica root comes in various forms, including in thinly sliced, chopped (or chip form), powdered, or in teas (as natural herbs)
      • I’ve seen the range of these vary as well, depending on the quality and size of the product

Any benefits?

      • This is an amazing warming herb that can help warm the body
      • It increases blood circulation in the body
      • It also helps with tonifying and replenishing blood
      • This herb is amazing for supporting pre and post menstruation and reducing pain
      • It is also often found in healing tonics

Any precautions?

      • Be sure you are buying these from a reputable source 

      • Also to check that this is angelica root (or dang quai), there are so many herbs that look like this (small and brown) that it’s sometimes hard to tell, but you can definitely identify this from its smell.

Looking to build your basic Chinese Soup Pantry?

Check it out in my video to learn more!

 

EXPLORE MORE

Hong Kong Styled Russian Borscht Soup

Soup Name: Hong Kong Styled Russian Borscht (with oxtail) Traditional Chinese Name: 羅宋湯 (luó sòng tāng) Nature:  Warming Taste: Savory, sweet, and slightly sour For more videos, you can follow us on YouTube.  Did you know the secret ingredient to an HK-styled...

What are good replacement ingredients for peanut allergies in Chinese Soups?

Here are suggestions for replacement ingredients for peanuts in Chinese soupsOne guiding principle in Traditional Chinese Medicine is the yin yang theory.  In the natural world, there exists a balance between 2 opposing and co-existing forces and yet, they also exist...

Healing Chinese Chicken Herbal Soup with Fish Maw

Soup Name: Healing Chinese Chicken Herbal Soup with Fish Maw Traditional Chinese Name: 花膠雞湯 (huā jiāo jī tāng) Nature:  Warming Taste: Sweet and savory For more videos, you can follow us on YouTube.  The star of this soup is FISH MAW.  This takes collagen to the...

Delicious One Pot Vegetable Vermicelli Soup for Dinner

Soup Name: Delicious One Pot Vegetable Vermicelli Soup for Dinner.  Literal translation from Chinese is "Mixed vegetables vermicelli pot soup". Traditional Chinese Name: 雜菜粉絲鍋湯 (zá cài fěnsī guō tāng) Nature:  Neutral Taste: Sweet and savory For more videos, you...

ABC Soup in a Collagen Rich Salmon Head and Chicken Feet Broth

Soup Name: ABC Chinese Soup in a collagen rich Salmon Broth (with Chicken Feet) Traditional Chinese Name: 雜菜蕃茄三文魚湯 (zá cài fānjiā sānwènyú tāng) Nature:  Slightly cooling Taste: Sweet and savory For more videos, you can follow us on YouTube.  Taking collagen to...

Hong Kong Styled Russian Borscht Soup

Soup Name: Hong Kong Styled Russian Borscht (with oxtail) Traditional Chinese Name: 羅宋湯 (luó sòng tāng) Nature:  Warming Taste: Savory, sweet, and slightly sour For more videos, you can follow us on YouTube.  Did you know the secret ingredient to an HK-styled...

ABC Soup in a Collagen Rich Salmon Head and Chicken Feet Broth

Soup Name: ABC Chinese Soup in a collagen rich Salmon Broth (with Chicken Feet) Traditional Chinese Name: 雜菜蕃茄三文魚湯 (zá cài fānjiā sānwènyú tāng) Nature:  Slightly cooling Taste: Sweet and savory For more videos, you can follow us on YouTube.  Taking collagen to...

5 Tips for Exercising in the Cold (from a Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective)

5 Tips for Exercising in the Cold (from a Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective)One guiding principle in Traditional Chinese Medicine is the yin yang theory.  In the natural world, there exists a balance between 2 opposing and co-existing forces and yet, they also...

Turn leftover rice into a delicious, warming congee with shrimp and yams

Soup Name: Shrimp Congee with Fresh Yams and Lettuce Traditional Chinese Name: 蝦粥 (xiā zhōu) Nature: Neutral Taste: Sweet  For more videos, you can follow us on YouTube. Want something easy?  Want something delicious? This is the perfect lunch to make in 30 minutes...

Making a Delicious Lotus Root with Vegetables in Pork Broth Chinese Soup (with Roasted Fresh Peanuts!)

Soup Name: Making a Delicious Lotus Root with Vegetables in Pork Broth Chinese Soup (with Roasted Fresh Peanuts!) Traditional Chinese Name: 蓮藕豬骨湯 (Lián'ǒu zhū gǔ tāng) Nature: Neutral Taste: Sweet  For more videos, you can follow us on YouTube. For this post, I made 6...

GIVE YOUR LOVE OF SOUP.

FOLLOW US AND SHARE.