Herbs & Supplements:
Dong Quai
- Angelica Sinensis
Alternate Names
•
Dang Quai, Tang Quai, Dang Kwai, Dong Kwai
Principal Proposed Uses
•
Menstrual Disorders,
Dysmenorrhea,
PMSProbably Ineffective Uses
•
Menopausal Symptoms
One of the major herbs in the Chinese repertoire, Angelica sinensis is closely related to European Angelica archangelica, a common garden herb and the flavoring in Benedictine and Chartreuse liqueurs. The carrot-like roots of this fragrant plant are harvested in the fall after about 3 years of cultivation and stored in airtight containers prior to processing.
Traditionally, dong quai is said to be one of the most important herbs for strengthening the xue. The Chinese term xue is often translated as "blood," but it actually refers to a complex concept of which the blood itself is only a part. In the late 1800s, an extract of dong quai known as Eumenol became popular in Europe as a "female tonic," and this is how most people consider it in the West.
What Is Dong Quai Used for Today?
Dong quai is often recommended as a treatment for menstrual cramps or dysmenorrhea and PMS, as well as hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. The scientific evidence supporting these uses is very weak, consisting primarily of test tube and animal studies, as well as a few uncontrolled studies of people.1–5 Furthermore, a recent 24-week study compared the effects of dong quai against a placebo in 71 postmenopausal women and found no benefit.6
Dosage
We recommend using dong quai under the supervision of a qualified Chinese herbalist, not because the herb is dangerous, but because it is difficult to self-prescribe Chinese herbal formulas.
If you wish to self-treat with dong quai, a typical dosage is 10 to 40 drops of dong quai tincture 1 to 3 times daily, or 1 standard 00 gelatin capsule 3 times daily.
Safety Issues
Dong quai is generally believed to be nontoxic. According to Chinese studies, which may not have been up to current scientific standards, very large amounts have been given to rats without causing harm.7 Side effects are rare and primarily consist of mild gastrointestinal distress and occasional allergic reactions (such as rash).
Contrary to popular belief, dong quai does not appear to have estrogen-like actions.8,9 However, according to an article in the Singapore Medical Journal, a 35-year-old man who used a prepared herbal formula called "Dong Quai pills" developed enlargement of his breasts.10 Such enlargement would typically result if a man used estrogen. The authors of the article blamed the dong quai itself. However, a more likely explanation is that the prepared herbal formula was "spiked" with synthetic estrogen. There are numerous reports of prepackaged Asian herb products containing unlabeled constituents, including conventional medications designed to enhance their effect.11,12
Interestingly, in a test-tube study, dong quai was again found to be non-estrogenic, and yet it nonetheless stimulated the growth of breast cancer cells. 15 Although the mechanism of this effect is not known, the results suggest that women who have had breast cancer should avoid using dong quai.
Dong quai may interact with the blood-thinning drug Coumadin (warfarin), increasing the risk of bleeding, according to one case report.13 Dong quai might also conceivably interact with other blood-thinning drugs, such as heparin, aspirin, Plavix (clopidogrel), Ticlid (ticlopidine), or Trental (pentoxifylline). Additionally, dong quai could conceivably interact with natural products with blood-thinning properties, such as garlic, ginkgo, or high-dose vitamin E.
Certain constituents of dong quai can cause increased sensitivity to the sun, but this has not been observed to occur in people using the whole herb.
Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established. One case report suggests that dong quai usage by a nursing mother caused elevated blood pressure in both the mother and child.14
Interactions You Should Know About
If you are taking blood-thinning drugs such as Coumadin (warfarin), heparin, Plavix (clopidogrel), Ticlid (ticlopidine), Trental (pentoxifylline), or aspirin, dong quai might interact and increase the risk of bleeding.
View References
Last reviewed May 2002 by Medical Review Board
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