Angelica sinensis: Botany, Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Safety, and Applications

Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (A. sinensis), a perennial herb with a medicinal history spanning over two millennia, is widely recognized for its effects in nourishing blood, promoting circulation, regulating menstruation, and alleviating pain. As demonstrated by over 1572 articles published since 2016, research in this field has advanced rapidly. However, the most recent comprehensive review dates back to 2016, and lacks systematic coverage of pharmacological mechanisms, structure-activity relationships (SARs), and modern applications. As a result, much of the relevant knowledge has been fragmented across disciplines. This review addresses these gaps by providing a systematic synthesis of the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, safety, and applications of A. sinensis. Over 290 chemical constituents, which can be broadly categorized into volatile oils, organic acids, polysaccharides, phenylpropanoids, and flavonoids, have been identified from A. sinensisto date. Representative bioactive compounds, such as Z-ligustilide (Z-lig), ferulic acid, and angelica coumarin A, contribute significantly to its diverse biological activities. This review offers an in-depth, mechanism-based summary of its pharmacological properties, and places a particular emphasis on the SARs of key bioactive constituents. The scope of the review is further expanded to include emerging applications in functional foods, skincare, agriculture, and animal husbandry industries. This review integrates multidisciplinary advances to establish a comprehensive and mechanistically grounded framework. This framework aims in turn to guide evidence-based utilization, foster innovative applications, and support the sustainable global development of A. sinensis as a medicinal and functional resource. However, several challenges remain in current research. These include insufficient standardization of cultivation practices, limited high-quality clinical evidence, and the lack of internationally recognized quality standards. Future research should prioritize multicenter clinical trials, the elucidation of biosynthetic pathways, and the establishment of international quality standards in order to promote the sustainable global development of A. sinensis.