Background
- Dong quai (Angelica sinensis), also known as Chinese Angelica, has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japanese medicine. It remains one of the most popular plants in Chinese medicine, and is used primarily for health conditions in women. Dong quai has been called "female ginseng," based on its use for gynecological disorders (such as painful menstruation or pelvic pain), recovery from childbirth or illness, and fatigue/low vitality. It is also given for strengthening xue (loosely translated as "the blood"), for cardiovascular conditions/high blood pressure, inflammation, headache, infections, and nerve pain.
- In the late 1800s, an extract of Dong quai called Eumenol became popular in Europe as a treatment for gynecological complaints. Recently, interest in Dong quai has resurged due to its proposed weak estrogen-like properties. However, it remains unclear if Dong quai has the same effects on the body as estrogens, blocks the activity of estrogens, or has no significant hormonal effects. Additional research is necessary in this area before a firm conclusion can be drawn.
- In Chinese medicine, Dong quai is most often used in combination with other herbs, and is used as a component of formulas for liver qi stasis and spleen deficiency. It is believed to work best in patients with a yin profile, and is considered to be a mildly warming herb. Dong quai is thought to return the body to proper order by nourishing the blood and harmonizing vital energy. The name Dong quai translates as "return to order" based on its alleged restorative properties.
- Although Dong quai has many historical and theoretical uses based on animal studies, there is little human evidence supporting the effects of Dong quai for any condition. Most of the available clinical studies have either been poorly designed or reported insignificant results. Also, most have examined combination formulas containing multiple ingredients in addition to Dong quai, making it difficult to determine which ingredient may cause certain effects.
References
Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to . Selected references are listed below.
- 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.
View Abstract - Chen QC, Lee J, Jin W, et al. Cytotoxic constituents from angelicae sinensis radix. Arch Pharm Res 2007 May;30(5):565-9.
View Abstract - Deng S, Chen SN, Yao P, et al. Serotonergic activity-guided phytochemical investigation of the roots of Angelica sinensis. J Nat Prod 2006 Apr;69(4):536-41.
View Abstract - Friedman JA, Taylor SA, McDermott W, et al. Multifocal and recurrent subarachnoid hemorrhage due to an herbal supplement containing natural coumarins. Neurocrit Care. 2007;7(1):76-80.
View Abstract - 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.
View Abstract - Jia M, Yang TH, Yao XJ, et al.[Anti-oxidative effect of Angelica polysaccharide sulphate] [Article in Chinese] Zhong Yao Cai 2007 Feb;30(2):185-8.
View Abstract - 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.
View Abstract - 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.
View Abstract - Li KX, You ZL, Zhang H, et al. Clinical study on "Yi-Qi-Hua-Yu" method in treatment of pelvis congestion syndrome. Journal of Hunan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1997;17(2):11-13.
- Luo H, Lin S, Ren F, et al. Antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity of Chinese medicinal herb extracts in raw sheep meat. J Food Prot 2007 Jun;70(6):1440-5.
View Abstract - Page RL, Lawrence JD. Potentiation of warfarin by dong quai. Pharmacotherapy 1999;19(7):870-876.
View Abstract - Shang P, Qian AR, Yang TH, et al. Experimental study of anti-tumor effects of polysaccharides from Angelica sinensis. World J Gastroenterol 2003;9(9):1963-1967.
View Abstract - Tsai NM, Chen YL, Lee CC, et al. The natural compound n-butylidenephthalide derived from Angelica sinensis inhibits malignant brain tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. J Neurochem 2006 Nov;99(4):1251-62.
View Abstract - Xuan GC, Feng QF, Xue FM. Clinical observation on treating 400 cases of cerebral infarction with traditional Chinese herb power. Henan Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy 1997;12(4):28-29.
- 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.