Dong quai and TheraTears Nutrition

• Generic Name: dong quai
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names:

Dong quai is a plant also known as Angelica China, Angelica sinensis, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Angélique Chinoise, Angélique de Chine, Chinese Angelica, Dang Gui, Danggui, Danguia, Kinesisk Kvan, Ligustilides, Radix Angelicae Gigantis, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Tang Kuei, Tan Kue Bai Zhi, Tanggwi, or Toki.

Dong quai has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating premature ejaculation, when it is combined with other ingredients and applied to the outer skin of the penis before sexual intercourse. Dong quai may have been combined with other plants or extracts in a specific preparation to treat this condition.

Dong quai has also been used to treat menopause symptoms. However, research has shown that dong quai may not be effective in treating this condition.

Other uses not proven with research have included constipation, psoriasis, anemia, ulcers, joint pain, and high blood pressure.

It is not certain whether dong quai is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Dong quai should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Dong quai is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Dong quai may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

• Generic Name: omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Baciguent, Probiotic Formula, Proferrin-ES

TheraTears Nutrition is an oral omega 3 supplement that supports eye comfort and healthy tears. The ingredients in TheraTears Nutrition include fish oil and organic flaxseed oil for their omega 3 content, and vitamin E which acts as an antioxidant.

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are lipids that cannot be made by our body and have to be obtained from our diet and include fats such as omega 3. EFAs are used by the oil glands in our eyelids to make the oily layer of tear film. TheraTears Nutrition provides omega 3 EFAs that may be used by our oil glands to make good quality tears.

Tear film is made up of three layers – an oil layer, a water layer and a mucin layer (helps the tears to stick to the surface of the eye and provides the underlying cornea with nourishment). Tears are vital for the health of our eye and our vision, without sufficient good quality tears, our eyes are at increased risk for infection and damage from foreign particles. Dry eye is a condition that results from poor quality tears. TheraTears Nutrition is recommended for eye conditions such as dry eye.

TheraTears Nutrition also supports oral health, because the salivary gland and tear glands work in a similar way. The omega 3’s in TheraTears Nutrition help with the production of healthy saliva and help with the maintenance of good oral health.