Dong
quai is a member of the celery family.
Greenish-white flowers bloom from May to August,
and the plant is typically found growing in damp
mountain ravines, meadows, river banks, and
coastal areas. The root is used in herbal
medicine.
Dong quai has been used in
connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health
concern for complete
information):
Health
Concerns
Anemia (due to dialysis)
Dysmenorrhea (painful
menstruation)
Menopause
Premenstrual
syndrome
Historical or
traditional use (may or
may not be supported by scientific
studies)
Also
known as dang-gui in Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM), dong quai is sometimes referred
to as the female ginseng. In Traditional Chinese
Medicine, dong quai is often included in herbal
combinations for abnormal menstruation,
suppressed menstrual flow, dysmenorrhea (painful
menstruation), and uterine bleeding. It is not
used in TCM for treating symptoms associated
with menopause, such as hot flashes. It is also
used in TCM for both men and women with
cardiovascular disease, including high blood
pressure and problems with peripheral
circulation.
Active
constituents
Traditionally, dong quai is believed to
have a balancing or “adaptogenic” effect on the
female hormonal system. Contrary to the opinion
of some authors, dong quai does not qualify as a
phytoestrogen and does not appear to have any
hormone-like actions in the body. This is
partially supported by a double-blind trial with
menopausal women that found no estrogenic
activity for the herb.In Traditional
Chinese Medicine, dong quai is rarely used alone
and is typically used in combination with herbs
such as peony and ligusticum for conditions such
as menstrual cramps.
Dong
quai has been traditionally used as a way to
promote formation of red blood cells, an effect
partially supported in a case study of a man
with kidney failure who had a significant
improvement in anemia due to dialysis while
drinking a tea composed of dong quai and peony.
No clinical trials have examined dong quai alone
for this purpose, or for the treatment of other
forms of anemia.
How much is usually
taken?
The
powdered root can be used in capsules or
tablets. Women may take 3–4 grams daily in three
divided applications. Alternatively, 3–5 ml of
tincture may be taken three times per
day.
Are there any side
effects or interactions?
Dong
quai may cause some fair-skinned people to
become more sensitive to sunlight. People using
it on a regular basis should limit prolonged
exposure to the sun or other sources of
ultraviolet radiation. Dong quai is not
recommended for pregnant or breast-feeding
women.
