angelica sinensis, commonly known as dong quai（traditional chinese: 當歸 simplified chinese: 当归) or "female ginseng" is a herb belonging to the family apiaceae, indigenous to china. "angelica sinensis" grows in cool high altitude mountains in china, japan, and korea. the yellowish brown root of the plant is harvested in the fall and is a well-known chinese medicine which has been used for thousands of years.