Dong Quai

October 3, 2020

Overview

Dong quai is a plant. The root is used to make medicine.

Dong quai is commonly taken by mouth for menopausal symptoms, menstrual cycle conditions such as migraines and many other conditions.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Plant

Primary Functions:

Menopausal symptoms

Also Known As:

Angelica China, Angelica sinensis, Angelica polymorpha var. sinensis

How Does It Work?

Dong quai root has been shown to affect estrogen and other hormones in animals. It is not known if these same effects happen in humans.

Uses

Menopausal symptoms. Various combination products that contain dong quai seem to reduce menopausal symptoms. Taking a specific product containing dong quai and chamomile (Climex) seems to reduce hot flushes in menopausal women. Taking a specific product containing American ginseng, black cohosh, dong quai, milk thistle, red clover, and vitex agnus-castus (Phyto-Female complex) seems to reduce hot flushes and night sweats and improve sleep quality in pre- and post-menopausal women. Taking a product containing burdock root, licorice root, motherwort, dong quai, and Mexican wild yam root seems to reduce menopausal symptoms as well. However, some evidence suggests that taking dong quai alone does to improve symptoms of menopause.
Premature ejaculation, when applied directly to the skin of the penis in combination with other herbs. The other herbs are Panax ginseng root, Cistanches deserticola, Zanthoxyl species, Torlidis seed, clove flower, Asiasari root, cinnamon bark, and toad venom (SS Cream).

Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

For menopausal symptoms: 15 chewable tablets of a product containing dong quai and chamomile (Climex) have been taken daily for 12 weeks. A specific product containing American ginseng, black cohosh, dong quai, milk thistle, red clover, and vitex agnus-castus (Phyto-Female Complex) has been taken twice daily for 3 months. A specific product containing burdock root, licorice root, motherwort, dong quai, and Mexican wild yam root has been taken three times daily for 3 months.

APPLIED TO THE SKIN:

For early orgasm in men (premature ejaculation): A specific cream containing Panax ginseng root, dong quai, Cistanches deserticola, Zanthoxyl species, Torlidis seed, clove flower, Asiasari root, cinnamon bark, and toad venom (SS Cream) has been applied to the glans penis 1 hour before sex and washed off immediately before sex.

Dong Quai Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of taking dong quai?

Dong quai is used for menstrual cramps, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and menopausal symptoms. It is also used orally as a "blood purifier"; to manage hypertension, infertility, joint pain, ulcers, "tired blood" (anemia), and constipation; and in the prevention and treatment of allergic attacks.

Is dong quai safe to take?

Dong quai is POSSIBLY SAFE for adults when taken by mouth or when occasionally applied to the skin as a cream. More evidence is needed to determine its safety after prolonged or repeated use. Dong quai can cause skin to become extra-sensitive to the sun.

Does dong quai balance hormones?

Dong Quai to balance female hormones

It has been used for centuries as an herb to balance female hormones and prevent symptoms of PMS. Dong quai has been shown to balance levels of estrogen, which in return alleviates common symptoms of menopause or PMS.

How many mg of dong quai should I take?

Dosing. Several forms of the plant exist and dosages vary widely: crude root extract by decoction ranges from 3 to 15 g/day; powdered root, 1 to 2 g 3 times a day; and tablets 500 mg up to 6 times a day.

Does dong quai reduce estrogen?

Menopausal symptoms

Some women say dong quai relieves symptoms such as hot flashes. Researchers are not sure whether dong quai acts like estrogen or blocks estrogen in the body. Studies are conflicting, and one study found that dong quai did not help to relieve menopausal symptoms.

How long does dong quai take to work?

Most women only start feeling some relief from perimenopausal symptoms after taking dong quai daily for two months or more, so be patient.

Can dong quai alone cause miscarriage?

DO NOT use dong quai during pregnancy. It may cause the uterus to contract and raise the risk of miscarriage. Nursing mothers should not take dong quai because no one knows if it is safe when you are breastfeeding.

Does dong quai have estrogen?

Dong quai is an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to nourish blood and to treat menstrual and menopausal symptoms. Dong quai has estrogen-like effects and it was shown to increase growth of breast cancer cells in lab experiments. It may also contain compounds that can cause cancer if taken in high doses.

How does dong quai look like?

Angelica sinensis, also known as dong quai, is a fragrant plant with a cluster of small white flowers. The flower belongs to the same botanical family as carrots and celery. People in China, Korea, and Japan dry its root for medicinal use. Dong quai has been used as an herbal medication for more than 2,000 years.

Can you take too much dong quai?

Dong quai can be harmful if you take too much. Some of its compounds can make your skin sensitive to the sun and cause a rash. Others have been shown to cause cancer and birth defects in animals. Other reports suggest that taking the root can sometimes cause fever and heavy menstrual bleeding.

What is dong quai used for abortion?

Abortifacients are those herbs that may induce miscarriage/abortion. Other herbs, such as Dong quai and peony, are considered emmenagogic, and in fact do have uterine stimulatory activity, but are nonetheless used extensively in the Chinese and Japanese formulary for the prevention of miscarriage.

How does dong quai affect estrogen?

Side effects in women

Dong quai may also act like estrogen in your body and affect hormone-sensitive conditions that worsen when exposed to estrogen, such as breast cancer. Studies show that dong quai can thicken the lining of the uterus, although this was only tested in rats.

Can you take dong quai and black cohosh together?

Interactions between your drugs

No interactions were found between black cohosh and dong quai. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Does dong quai help you sleep?

Side effects in women

The American Pregnancy Association considers dong quai unsafe because it stimulates the muscles of the uterus, which could possibly lead to miscarriage. This herb also has some sedative and sleep-inducing effects, so it's not recommended to use it during breastfeeding.

How do you take dong quai?

Dong quai is available as an oral supplement in tablets, capsules, tinctures, and tea. It's also used in some topical creams or powders. Research has not yet determined a safe or recommended dose. Talk to your doctor about the dosage you should use or follow the instructions on the product label.

Does dong quai increase fertility?

Dong quai has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a female reproductive tonic, menstrual regulator, and remedy for amenorrhea for at least 20 centuries. Dong quai is regarded as a tonic for women with fatigue and low vitality. Approximately 80% of the women regained tubal patency and 53% became pregnant.

Is Angelica the same as dong quai?

Angelica sinensis, also known as dong quai, is a fragrant plant with a cluster of small white flowers. The flower belongs to the same botanical family as carrots and celery.

Can you take dong quai while on your period?

Because dong quai dilates the blood vessels and improves circulation in the uterus, regular use can sometimes make menstrual flow heavier. Many herbalists recommend that dong quai be stopped during the actual menstrual period in individuals prone to heavy menses.

Is Dang Gui estrogenic?

Functions of Danggui Buxue Tang, a Chinese Herbal Decoction Containing Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix, in Uterus and Liver are Both Estrogen Receptor-Dependent and -Independent.

Can dong quai cause heart palpitations?

Also known as Asian or Korean ginseng, this supplement has a number of active ingredients purported to be good for angina but can also harm your cardiovascular health. It has been shown to cause both high and low blood pressure, tachycardia, arrhythmia, palpitations, and circulatory failure.

Does dong quai help endometriosis?

It is used for the treatment of the TCM diagnoses of “blood stasis” and “blood vacuity,” which are associated with the western diagnoses of amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis. Dong quai may also reduce tissue congestion through enhanced blood and lymph circulation.

Is dong quai good for fibroids?

[48] Dong Quai and Peony Powder reduce blood estrogen levels and inflammatory compounds in the uterus. Four Substance Decoction treats both fibroids and endometriosis in women who are affected by poor diet or overfatigue.