DONG QUAI

Uses & Effectiveness

Overview

Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) is a plant that has been used for a variety of conditions, with little evidence. It may be unsafe when too much is consumed.

Dong quai is a member of the same plant family as parsley, celery, and carrots. It's popular in Chinese medicine for female health concerns. The root might affect estrogen and other hormones.

People commonly use dong quai for menopausal symptoms, menstrual cramps, migraine, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Vitamin DONG QUAI: Dong Quai, also known as female ginseng, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to help regulate menstrual cycles and relieve menopausal symptoms due to its phytoestrogenic properties. However, unlike other vitamins, Dong Quai is actually classified as a herb rather than a traditional vitamin.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Dong quai is possibly safe when taken for up to 6 months. It's been safely used in combination with other ingredients in doses up to 150 mg daily. It might make the skin extra sensitive to sunlight. Common side effects include burping, gas, and high blood pressure.

Taking dong quai in higher doses for more than 6 months is possibly unsafe. Dong quai contains chemicals that might cause cancer.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if dong quai is safe or what the side effects might be.

Interactions

Major Interaction

Do not take this combination

• Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with DONG QUAI

  Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. Dong quai might also slow blood clotting. Taking dong quai along with warfarin might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

• Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with DONG QUAI

  Dong quai might slow blood clotting. Taking dong quai along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

• Estrogens interacts with DONG QUAI

  Dong quai might act like the hormone estrogen. When taken together, dong quai might increase the risk of estrogen side effects.

Special Precautionsand Warnings

When taken by mouth: Dong quai is possibly safe when taken for up to 6 months. It's been safely used in combination with other ingredients in doses up to 150 mg daily. It might make the skin extra sensitive to sunlight. Common side effects include burping, gas, and high blood pressure.

Taking dong quai in higher doses for more than 6 months is possibly unsafe. Dong quai contains chemicals that might cause cancer.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if dong quai is safe or what the side effects might be. Pregnancy: Taking dong quai by mouth during pregnancy is possibly unsafe for the baby. Dong quai seems to affect the uterus. Some research suggests that taking dong quai with other herbs during the first 3 months of pregnancy can increase the risk of birth defects. Do not use dong quai if you are pregnant.

Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if dong quai is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Bleeding disorders. Dong quai might slow blood clotting and increase the chance of bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Dong quai might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by estrogen, don't use dong quai.

Surgery: Dong quai might slow blood clotting. It might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop taking dong quai at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Dosing

Dong quai is most often used in combination products. There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of dong quai might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.