Dong Quai, referred to as the 'female ginseng', is rich in vitamins and minerals and is one of the most widely used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. It is effective for female disorders such as menstrual disturbances, PMS and hot flashes due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic, bactericidal and vasodilative effects. The herb is also used to regulate menstrual cycles, relieve menstrual cramps and alleviate symptoms related to PMS.

'Herbal Tonic Therapies,' Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D:

'Next to Panax ginseng, the root of dong quai is undoubtedly the most honored and respected herb in China, and is quickly gaining an equal reputation among users in the rest of the world.. Dong quai is used medicinally as a tonic, cardiotonic, respiratory tonic and liver tonic. It is used to promote circulation, to regulate the menstrual cycle and stop discomforts of menstruation. That means it's good for PMS. In Western herbal terms, it is used for dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), metrorrhagia (too much menstruation) and amenorrhea (too little, or no, menstruation). Dong quai is also often recommended during pregnancy to ease delivery, reduce pain and discomfort and eliminate complications as much as possible. Most of the actions of dong quai depend on the presence of coumarins, phytosterols, polysaccharides, and flavonoids.'

'Dong quai contains estrogenic substances that may exert some regulating effect on estrogen levels and on estrogenic biological mechanisms. They seem to enhance estrogenic effects when estrogen levels are too low, and compete when levels are too high. This would be in keeping with the idea of a menstrual tonic. It is doubtful if dong quai has any direct estrogenic effects.'

'Substantial pharmacological research has validated these properties in dong quai. Anticramping, hypotensive, tonic, antiasthmatic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic properties in the root have all been demonstrated by basic research. It has also been shown to be effective against several strains of microorganisms, especially fungi such as Candida albicans, the primary causative agent in vaginal yeast infections. This constellation of properties would help explain the plant's sometimes dramatic effect on the PMS symptoms.'

This is a potent 5 to 1 powdered extract, meaning that one gram of extract is equal in potency to 5 grams of herb.

This extract is packed in Plum Flower Brand's nitrogen-flushed, safety-sealed dispenser bottle, a sample of which is pictured above. Plum Flower is one of the most distinguished herb houses in the world.

This is a pure herbal product with no additives. Extracted from sulfur-free and chlorine-free herbs for superior quality.

Manufactured in a low-temperature water extraction process to preserve herb integrity.

Extracted essential oils are replenished for proper potency.

Strict quality control testing to ensure microbiological and heavy metal safety.

Only powdered herb added to maintain purity (no artificial fillers such as lactose, cellulose or starch used).

TLC (Thin-layer Chromatography) tested to guarantee product quality.

Plum Flower takes great care to preserve delicate herbal oils, which are first evaporated using either a water or water-alcohol base in a process that never exceeds 100° centigrade.

Sealed vacuum chargers precisely control the temperature, ensuring that none of the oils are lost. Cheaper, high-temperature methods are common industry practice, but these tend to burn off the vital oils.

The facilities in Lanzhou and Guang Zhou, China, scientifically test each batch of herbs before, during and after the processing to make sure that all the active ingredients are present. Herbs are also tested to ensure that the formulas surpass all FDA guidelines regarding heavy metals. Those herbs exported to the U.S. are voluntarily submitted to the FDA for approval.

Finally, batches are regularly sent out for quality control testing in third-party labs to double-ensure that Plum Flower products are 100% free of pharmaceuticals, preservatives and dyes.

The Lanzhou and Guang Zhou factories are so clean, they are certified by the Australian Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (GMP). These standards surpass any of the FDA, and are considered the highest for any government agency in the world.