Dong Quai

 
Dong quai is primarily used for health conditions in women such as painful menstruation, lack of menstruation, or migraine headaches or menopausal symptoms associated with menstruation (1, 2, 3).  Recent studies are particularly interested in dong quai's weak estrogen-like properties that may have the same effect as estrogen, block estrogen, or have no discernable hormonal effect upon the female body; experts believe more in-depth research will clearly define dong quai's benefits (4).  As a traditional herbal medicine, dong quai is often taken orally as powdered or dried root slices, fluid extracts, tinctures, decoctions or dried leaf preparations.  Science has yet to establish if dong quai is safe when taken intravenously, but topical applications to the skin are not uncommon.  Due to this variation in application, experts have no specific recommendations for dosage safety or effectiveness.  However, dong quai is accepted as a safe food additive in the United States and Europe.  People with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to Angelica radix or members of the Alpaceae/Umbelliferae family (anise, caraway, carrot, celery, dill, parsley) should avoid dong quai.  Women who are pregnant should also avoid dong quai due to its anti-coagulant and anti-platelet properties that encourage bleeding.

 
Dong Quai Overview

Dong quai, also known as Chinese Angelica, is considered the "female ginseng" due to its popular role in traditional Asian medicines for gynecologic disorders like painful menstruation, pelvic pain, recovery from childbirth or illness, and fatigue (5).  Modern interest stems mostly from the possibility of dong quai's "phytoestrogens," which are chemicals that affect the body with estrogen-like effects (4).  The word "dong quai" is Chinese for "return to order," which alludes to the historical belief that the dong quai plant had restorative properties that would return the body to health by nourishing the blood and harmonizing vital energy.

 
Dong Quai  References

1. Kotani N, Oyama T, Sakai I, et al. Analgesic effect of a herbal medicine for treatment of primary dysmenorrhea--a double-blind study. Am.J Chin Med 1997;25(2):205-212.
2. Hirata JD, Swiersz LM, Zell B, et al. Does dong quai have estrogenic effects in postmenopausal women? A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Fertil.Steril. 1997;68(6):981-986.
3. Zhiping H, Dazeng W, Lingyi S, et al. Treating amenorrhea in vital energy-deficient patients with angelica sinensis-astralagus membranaceus menstruation-regulating decoction. J Trad Chin Med 2002;6(3):187-190.
4. Burke BE, Olson RD. Cusack BJ. Randomized, controlled trial of phytoestrogen in the prophylactic treatment of menstrual migraine. Biomed.Pharmacother. 2002;56(6):283-288.
5. Kronenberg F, Fugh-Berman A. Complementary and alternative medicine for menopausal symptoms: a review of randomized, controlled trials. Ann Intern Med 11-19-2002;137(10):805-813.