Dong Quai

Common Name(s)

Dong Quai, Chinese Angelica, Dang gui, Kinesisk kvan, Tanggwi, Tang kuei, Toki, Angelica polymorpha var. sinensis

Scientific Name(s)

Angelica sinensis

General Information

Dong quai is native to China, Japan, and Korea. It is a member of the Apiaceae family (the same family as celery and carrots) and is a very popular plant used in traditional Chinese medicine.

How is this product usually used?

The root of the dong quai plant is used to make supplements taken orally as tablets, capsules, teas, and tinctures. It can also be prepared for topical application as creams or powders.

Dong quai is often used in combination with other herbs in traditional Chinese medicine to strengthen or energize blood.

4.5 g to 15 g per day of dong quai is used as a prepared root.

Your health care provider may have recommended using this product in other ways. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

What is this product used for?

Dong quai has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. People have used dong quai for:

• premature ejaculation
• infertility
• problems associated with menstruation, including premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstrual migraine headaches, menstrual cramps, menopausal symptoms, and amenorrhea (absence of menstrual periods)
• gastrointestinal complaints, such as loss of appetite, ulcer or constipation
• recovery from childbirth or illness
• fatigue or low vitality
• cardiovascular conditions such as angina, coronary artery disease, and high blood pressure
• inflammation, headache, infections, arthritis, and nerve pain

In traditional Chinese medicine, dong quai has also been used as a blood supplement for anemia.

Your health care provider may have recommended this product for other conditions. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

What else should I be aware of?

It is not clear if dong quai would be useful on its own in the treatment of any of the conditions listed above. Further research is required to fully determine dong quai's effectiveness on these conditions.

Dong quai should not be used by children or women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.

If you are experiencing increased menstrual bleeding time, or any changes in menstrual cycle, stop using dong quai and consult a health care provider.

Dong quai is usually well tolerated. There have been some reports of burping, gas, and increased blood pressure. Stop using dong quai if you experience pain, discomfort, or tenderness in your breasts. Dong quai can cause allergic reactions and should be avoided by people with a history of allergic reactions to anise, caraway, carrot, celery, dill, or parsley. It should also be avoided if you have diarrhea, a bleeding disorder, or heavy periods.

There is an increased risk of bruising and bleeding when dong quai is taken with certain medications and other natural health products or by people with bleeding disorders. This interaction may occur between dong quai and any of the following:

• anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin, heparin)
• antiplatelets (e.g., acetylsalicylic acid [ASA], clopidogrel)
• garlic
• ginger
• ginkgo
• panax ginseng

Because dong quai can increase the risk of bleeding, if you are scheduled for surgery, you should ask your doctor when to stop taking dong quai to reduce the risk of bleeding.

Dong quai can increase your sensitivity to light or the sun. Avoid excessive sun exposure and follow sun safety practices. Ask your pharmacist whether other medications or herbal products you are taking can further increase your sensitivity to light or sun, such as St. John's wort, some antidepressants, and antipsychotics.

Because dong quai may have properties similar to that of the female hormone estrogen, it should not be used by people with estrogen-related conditions such as cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovaries; endometriosis; or uterine fibroids. In addition, consult a health care practitioner before starting dong quai if you are taking birth control pills or if you are on hormone replacement therapy.

The safety of dong quai in large doses or for longer than 6 months is not clear. Discuss the benefits and risks of long-term use with your doctor.

Before taking any new medications, including natural health products, speak to your physician, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Tell your health care provider about any natural health products you may be taking.

Source(s)

1. Health Canada Drug and Health Productions. Natural Health Products Ingredients Database – Monograph: Dong quai. Available at: http://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/monoReq.do?id=842&lang=eng.
2. Natural Standard Professional Monograph. Dong Quai Monograph.