Roots and rhizomesHemostaticAngelicae Sinensis Radix (carbonized)

Dang Gui Tan (Carbonized Chinese Angelica Root)

A practical guide to Dang Gui Tan: what it is, how Traditional Chinese Medicine uses it, the classical formulas it appears in, and who should be careful with it.

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Last reviewed Oct 28, 2026

Quick Facts

Latin Name	Angelicae Sinensis Radix (carbonized)
Chinese Name & Pinyin	當歸炭 · Dang Gui Tan
Medicinal Part	Roots and rhizomes
The item	Dang Gui Tan is the charred root of the angelica plant. Chao Bai Shao (stir-fried white peony) and the raw root are not this drug.
Nature and channels	Warm, sweet, acrid, astringent. Enters the Liver, Heart, and Spleen. Warm sweet-acrid-astringent stops bleeding by astringing, and harmonizes the blood and regulates qi.
Pharmacopoeia line	Astringes and stops bleeding; harmonizes the blood and regulates qi. Used for light qi-blood disharmony bleeding — prolonged periods, light blood in stools — and their accompanying discomfort.
Pattern cues	Prolonged scanty period. Heavy flow with a dragging belly. Light blood in stools. Lower-belly dragging. Pre-period irritability. Fatigue with a pale face.
In this article	Dang Gui Tan versus Chao Bai Shao. Astringing the bleed and warming the blood versus nourishing the liver-yin. Why marked heat and heavy bleeding should skip it. Home tea and porridge.

What Is Dang Gui Tan?

Dang Gui Tan (当归炭; Dāng Guī Tàn; Latin: Angelicae Sinensis Radix; English: charred angelica root) is the dried root of the angelica plant — the famous qi-and-blood herb of the carrot family — sliced and charred over a medium fire until the surface turns scorched brown, the darker, gathered version that apothecary shops reach for when the blood needs holding. It is warm, sweet, acrid, and astringent, enters the Liver, Heart, and Spleen channels, and its core actions are to astringe and stop bleeding, and to harmonize the blood and regulate qi. It is the gentle stopper for qi-blood disharmony with light bleeding. The usual amount is 3–10 g in a decoction. It does not need special decoction handling, and it steeps well.

It is not Chao Bai Shao. Stir-fried white peony is slightly cold, bitter, and sour — it nourishes the blood, softens the liver, and eases pain, leaning to the yin; this charred root is warm and astringent — it holds the bleed while gently harmonizing the blood. It is not the raw root either; the raw form moves blood and supplements, and the charred form gathers it. In a marked heat pattern — a dry mouth and bitter taste, a red tongue with a yellow coat — or with heavy bleeding and sharp fixed pain, using it on your own is a poor match. Heavy bleeding needs a clinic first. Do not take it yourself for a long time.

It is used most often for three patterns:

A prolonged scanty period, heavy flow with a dragging lower belly, or a little blood in stools with a sinking anus — qi-blood disharmony with light bleeding
Lower-belly dragging, pre-period irritability, fatigue and a pale face with light bleeding — qi and blood not harmonious
Marked heat — dry mouth, bitter taste, red tongue with a yellow coat — or heavy bleeding with sharp fixed pain — seek care / skip it

Warm, sweet, acrid, and astringent, it is not a daily "blood-harmony tea" to keep drinking. Astringing and warming when there is no disharmony, or in a marked heat pattern, adds to the heat instead of helping.

When irregular routines and a one-sided diet disturb the qi and blood, the menses linger, the lower belly drags, and light bleeding appears with fatigue; when the blood slips, astringent charcoal gathers it back. Dang Gui Tan is warm, sweet, acrid, and astringent. It holds the bleed and sorts the qi-blood, which is why it appears in Jiao Ai Tang (Ass-Hide Glue and Mugwort Decoction)–type formulas. It gathers more than it scatters. In marked heat, or with heavy bleeding and stasis, more makes it worse.

Dang Gui Tan is not a catch-all bleeding or blood herb. In a marked heat pattern, with heavy bleeding and stasis, in pregnancy, or with no disharmony, using it alone is a poor match. Whether it belongs in a formula, and at what dose, should be decided by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner after pattern diagnosis.

Dang Gui Tan: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Angelicae Sinensis Radix (carbonized)

Botanical Origin

The dried root of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (Apiaceae).

Production Regions

Primarily produced in Gansu (Minxian area), and also in Yunnan, Sichuan, Hubei, Shaanxi.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material is charred black externally, brown internally, with retained character.

Macroscopic Features

Round or irregular thin slices; surface is charred black, cut surface is brownish, with charred aroma. Easily broken, loose texture.

Main Regions and Quality Identification

Classic texts and trade experience favor roots from a traditional producing area, but quality still depends on variety, harvest time, processing, and storage. Dang Gui Tan is irregular thin slices, scorched brown on the surface with a faint toasted smell and a slightly bitter, acrid, astringent taste, brittle, with obvious scorch spots on the break. The common look-alikes are other carrot-family roots passed off as angelica, or over-charred black pieces — check the look and smell before buying.

Traditional Properties & Historical Lineage

Nature, Flavour & Channel Tropism

Sweet, Acrid; WarmLiverHeartSpleen

1. Records in Classic Materia Medica

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing: lists angelica in the middle class — "is used for women's uterine bleeding and wounds."
Ming Yi Bie Lu: adds it "warms the middle and eases pain."
Ben Cao Gang Mu: notes angelica "harmonizes the blood and supplements the blood."
De Pei Ben Cao: records the charred form — "charred black, it can stop bleeding" — the reading behind the processed form's astringent stop.

2. How Views of Its Nature Changed

Some doctors leaned on the blood-harmonizing, qi-regulating side — for pain from qi-blood disharmony; others stressed the charred form's astringent stop — for bleeding. The difference keeps its use precise: not a universal supplement or stop-all, but chosen by the processed character for the fitting scene.

Core Efficacies & Traditional Applications

Traditional Functions

Astringes and stops bleeding, harmonizes blood; carbonized form is used for metrorrhagia and bleeding.

1. Main Use 1: Astringing and Stopping Bleeding

(1) Traditional action: astringing the bleed — the charring gathers the action and reduces the scattering side, centering on the stop. (2) Typical patterns: qi-blood disharmony bleeding — a prolonged period, heavy flow with a dragging lower belly, or a little blood in stools with a sinking anus. (3) Usual pairings: Bai Shao (white peony) and E Jiao (ass-hide glue) for period bleeding; Di Yu (burnet) and Huai Hua (pagoda-tree flower) for blood in stools. (4) Not for self-use: heavy bleeding with sharp pain, or a marked heat pattern — a dry mouth and bitter taste, a red tongue with a yellow coat — consult a practitioner first.

2. Main Use 2: Harmonizing the Blood and Regulating Qi

(1) Traditional action: gently sorting the qi and blood — moving and astringing at once — easing the discomfort of disharmony. (2) Typical patterns: lower-belly dragging, pre-period irritability, or fatigue and a pale face with light bleeding. (3) Usual pairings: Xiang Fu (nutgrass rhizome) and Wu Yao (lindera root) to sort the qi; Huang Qi (astragalus) and Bai Zhu (atractylodes) for the fatigue. (4) Not for self-use: severe blood stasis — fixed stabbing pain, a dark purple tongue — or deficiency heat — hot flushes, night sweats, a red tongue without a coat — clarify the pattern first.

3. A Classic Pairing

Dang Gui Tan pairs classically with Bai Shao: the charred root astringes the bleed and harmonizes the blood-qi; the white peony nourishes the blood, softens the liver, and eases pain. Together they strengthen the harmonizing and the easing — for period bleeding with a dragging belly and fatigue. This pair belongs to a practitioner's pattern diagnosis — no self-pairing.

Modern Research

Modern research offers useful context, but Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribes on whole-pattern diagnosis rather than isolated compounds.

1. Main Chemical Constituents

Detected in angelica are volatile oil (ligustilide, butylidenephthalide), polysaccharides, organic acids (ferulic acid), and flavonoids. In vitro, some components show anti-inflammatory activity — laboratory results only; in animals, angelica polysaccharides affect hematopoiesis to a degree — not directly transferable. No sufficient human clinical conclusion exists yet.

2. Current Research Directions

Current work centers on the components' potential effects on the blood-forming system and inflammation, and on how processing changes the components. The charred form has less volatile oil than the raw root and relatively more astringent components — possibly tied to its traditional astringent stop — human verification of the link is still needed.

3. Limitations of Current Research

Lab results are not clinical efficacy — component effects need human study before daily use.
Extracts are not decoction pieces — single-component doses cannot be converted to piece doses.
Processing and extraction differ between studies — results are hard to unify.
One component does not define the whole herb — the root acts as a team of constituents.

Comparing Similar Herbs

1. What They Share

Both harmonize the blood and qi.
Both are used for lower-belly discomfort from qi-blood disharmony.
Both appear in period formulas and gentle blood care — and both need constitution and dose care.

2. Key Differences

Nature and flavor: Dang Gui Tan is warm, sweet, acrid, and astringent; Chao Bai Shao is slightly cold, bitter, and sour — the charred root's warmth is more marked with an astringent edge, while the peony's cold is gentler, softening the liver and holding the yin. Focus: Dang Gui Tan astringes the bleed and harmonizes the blood-qi; Chao Bai Shao nourishes the blood, softens the liver, and eases pain — and holds the yin to stop sweating. Tendency: Dang Gui Tan gathers — checking the scattering of the blood and easing light qi stagnation; Chao Bai Shao holds the yin — checking the overactive liver and the insufficiency of fluids. Best fit: Dang Gui Tan for bleeding signs — a prolonged period, light blood in stools — with a dragging belly; Chao Bai Shao for no bleeding — a tight dragging belly and irritability. Who should avoid: Dang Gui Tan is wrong alone for marked heat — dry mouth, a red tongue with a yellow coat; Chao Bai Shao is wrong for a cold weak spleen-stomach — belly pain that likes warmth, loose stools. Where you meet them: Dang Gui Tan in bleeding-foreground formulas and astringing daily care; Chao Bai Shao in liver-spleen formulas and liver-softening, pain-easing care.

3. One-Line Takeaway

In short, Dang Gui Tan astringes the bleed and warmly harmonizes the blood; Chao Bai Shao nourishes the blood and softens the liver-yin. Both can appear in lower-belly care — but they are not stand-ins for each other.

Classical Formulas Containing Dang Gui Tan

Classic Formula 1: Jiao Ai Tang

Role of this herb: in Jiao Ai Tang (Ass-Hide Glue and Mugwort Decoction), Dang Gui Tan is a supporting herb — strengthening the astringent stop and harmonizing the blood-qi — beside the leads E Jiao nourishing and stopping the blood, and Ai Ye (mugwort leaf) warming the channels. The target is deficiency-cold uterine bleeding with belly pain; alone, the charred root cannot cover the nourishing and warming. Traditional focus: deficiency with cold — heavy periods, uterine bleeding, post-partum bleeding with belly pain. Modern note: professional diagnosis first — never self-apply by name.

Classic Formula 2: Dang Gui Tan San

Role of this herb: in Dang Gui Tan San (Charred Angelica Powder), Dang Gui Tan is the main herb — its astringent stop at the core — with Di Yu and Huai Hua strengthening the stop, and a little Chen Pi (tangerine peel) sorting the qi. The target is lower bleeding with a dragging belly from bowel qi-blood disharmony; alone, the charred root cannot cover the full powder's effect. Traditional focus: blood in stools and urine — lower bleeding with lower-belly dragging and fatigue. Modern note: professional diagnosis first — never self-apply to bleeding symptoms directly.

Formula vs. Single Herb

A formula is a coordinated team — doses and pairings designed as a whole; a single herb cannot copy a full formula's effect. Dang Gui Tan is one member — it cannot carry the whole formula's work. Do not self-formulate from web articles — web information cannot replace a practitioner's pattern judgment.

Diet & Daily Home Use

1. Home Tea and Porridge

Example 1 — Dang Gui Tan red date tea: Dang Gui Tan 3 g, red dates 2 (stoned), fresh ginger 1 slice — steep in boiling water 10 minutes. Fit: lower-belly dragging around periods, light bleeding with fatigue. Not for: marked heat — a dry mouth and bitter taste. Frequency: 2–3 times a week, one cup. Example 2 — Dang Gui Tan millet porridge: Dang Gui Tan 2 g, millet 50 g, a little brown sugar — cook the millet, add the charred root and sugar near the end, simmer 5 minutes. Fit: gentle daily blood care for a slightly weak spleen-stomach with mild qi-blood disharmony. Not for: stomach-intestine heat — constipation, bad breath. Frequency: once every 2–3 weeks, one small bowl. Dang Gui Tan is a medicinal piece — not ordinary food; no large casual addition.

2. Decoction and Processing Differences

The raw root moves blood and supplements the blood; Dang Gui Tan astringes and stops bleeding — the actions differ clearly, no casual swapping. At home, no special handling — decoct with the other herbs, boil on high then simmer 20–30 minutes; as a food remedy, keep the dose small. Different forms cannot be converted directly — prescription piece doses and food-remedy amounts differ.

3. Dosage and How Long to Use

The classic range is 3–10 g, adjusted to the pattern; food-use amounts are 2–3 g for gentle care. Not for long continuous use — as daily care, use intermittently, no more than 1 week per stretch. Pregnant women and children consult a practitioner first.

Contraindications & Safety Warnings

1. Who Should Avoid It

Marked heat — dry mouth, bitter taste, a red tongue with a thick yellow coat — the warmth and astringency can add to the heat; pregnancy and nursing — consult a practitioner; children and the elderly — adjust the dose; liver or kidney impairment — consult a doctor first; allergy to carrot-family plants (angelica, carrot) — be cautious; people on anticoagulant or blood-pressure medicines — consult a doctor first.

2. Interactions and Diet Notes

No blanket "food clash" with ordinary foods is established, but herbs can interact with specific medicines — anyone on medication should consult a doctor or pharmacist first. Dang Gui Tan may interact with anticoagulants; on blood-pressure medicines, watch the readings; with sedatives, consult a practitioner. Avoid large amounts of spicy, greasy food alongside, to protect the qi-blood care.

3. Side Effects and Overuse

Overuse can bring bloating and a dry mouth; the warmth and astringency may also slow the stools. Stop and seek care at once for marked discomfort, an allergic reaction, persistent vomiting, trouble breathing, confusion, or a rapid worsening of symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dang Gui Tan

What is Danggui Tan? Is it the same as raw Danggui or Jiu Danggui?

Danggui Tan is the carbonized dried root of Angelica sinensis, Latin name Angelicae Sinensis Radix Carbonisata. It is a common Chinese medicine centered on tonifying blood and activating blood, and stopping bleeding. Raw Danggui tonifies blood and activates blood while moistening the intestines. Jiu Danggui tonifies blood and activates blood while regulating menstruation. They cannot be used interchangeably in equal amounts. Prescribe as Danggui Tan. Caution in deficiency cold without stasis.

What are the composition and effects of Danggui Tan?

Pharmacopoeial name Danggui Tan, Latin Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. Sweet and pungent in taste, warm in nature, enters the Liver, Heart and Spleen meridians. Functions to tonify blood and activate blood, and stop bleeding. Used for blood deficiency with sallow complexion, irregular menstruation, flooding and spotting, and amenorrhea. Tonifies blood and stops bleeding.

How to choose between raw and processed? Can raw Danggui replace it?

Root is carbonized. Raw product emphasizes moistening the intestines; carbonizing enhances stopping bleeding, and cannot replace it in equal amounts. Commercial products are standardized; do not adjust arbitrarily.

What is the dosage of Danggui Tan? Can it be used daily as a bleeding-stopping tea?

Decoction, 6-12g. Modern use requires physician-determined dosage. It is not a year-round "Danggui Tan tea." Deficiency cold without stasis will be further stagnated by prolonged use. Flooding and spotting requires short-term, physician-determined dosage and cannot replace evaluation.

What are the contraindications of Danggui Tan? Can pregnant women use it?

Not suitable for deficiency cold without stasis. Pregnant women require physician evaluation. Stop if abdominal pain or loose stools occur. Seek immediate medical care for severe flooding and spotting or high fever.

Can Danggui Tan tonify blood, activate blood, and stop bleeding?

It can assist blood deficiency with sallow complexion, irregular menstruation, flooding and spotting, and amenorrhea. It tonifies blood and activates blood, and stops bleeding, but is not a specific remedy for all blood deficiency or all flooding and spotting.

Can Danggui Tan be taken daily as a bleeding-stopping or blood-tonifying tea?

Blood deficiency flooding and spotting can be used short-term in formulas; deficiency cold without stasis will be further stagnated. The idea that "Danggui Tan must stop bleeding" cannot replace evaluation. Tonifying blood and stopping bleeding requires physician-determined formulation and dosage.

How to choose between Danggui Tan, raw Danggui, Jiu Danggui, Cebaitan, and Aiye?

Danggui Tan tonifies blood and stops bleeding, suited to flooding and spotting. Raw Danggui tonifies blood and moistens the intestines. Jiu Danggui tonifies blood and regulates menstruation. Cebaitan cools the blood and stops bleeding. Aiye warms the channels and stops bleeding while calming the fetus. Choose Danggui Tan for stopping bleeding; raw Danggui for moistening the intestines; Jiu Danggui for regulating menstruation; Cebaitan for cooling the blood; Aiye for warming the channels. Pattern differentiation applies, but large doses of Danggui Tan are contraindicated in deficiency cold without stasis.

How is Danggui Tan commonly modified? What is a representative usage?

Modifications depend on the pattern. Add Aiye for flooding and spotting; add Shudihuang for blood deficiency. Specify Danggui Tan; do not substitute raw Danggui in equal amounts for carbonizing.

How to select and store Danggui Tan?

Choose regular Chinese medicinal materials with intact carbonized roots. Discard if moldy, damp, or abnormal in odor. Store in a dry place. Purchase "Danggui Tan"; do not substitute raw Danggui or Jiu Danggui in equal amounts for tonifying blood, activating blood, and stopping bleeding.

Related Products

Nong's Dang Gui Tan Concentrated Granules

Nong's Dang Gui Tan (Charred Angelica Root) Single Herb 5:1 Concentrated Granules $71.57

Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.