Gayle Licari wrote in a message to Alex Vasauskas:
 GL> I have been on Dong Quai for 3 months now.  You did not mention it 
 GL> helps with the eyes too.
It does not seem to be known as an herb having a particular benefit
for the eyes.  In what way has it benefited your eyes?  Maybe this
effect is an ancillary benefit of something else that the herb is
doing for you.
 GL> Do you know if there could be an interaction with Dong Quai and St.
 GL> John's Wort?
I haven't heard or read of this one way or the other.
 GL> I can't tolerate Ginseng.  It causes pain in my left shoulder but I
 GL> have not experience this with Dong Quai.
Maybe ginseng is too stimulating for you, or it may be the species.
According to the Chinese approach, Chinese and Korean ginsengs are
relatively "warm" while American ginseng is relatively cool.  These
may be things to consider if you are still interested in experimenting
with ginseng.  Interestingly, dong quai (archangelica sinensis) is
also called "ginseng for women", although its use is not limited to
women.
 GL>   Although I have to watch
 GL> the brand I buy because I can tell a differenc.
The difference between brands is not surprising.  They probably
have different sources for the herb and the potency and mix of
constituents of the herb could be affected by different growing
and/or harvesting and/or processing conditions at the different
sources.  My first preference is home grown herbs for the ones
it is practical to grow -- this way I can be assured at least of
consistent conditions, standardized and optimum processing, and
freshness.  If you find that you are using alot of a particular
herb, you might consider planting a plot of it.
--- 
---------------