Dong Quai - What is it & How to use

Dong quai root has been shown to affect estrogen and other hormones in animals. It is not known if these same effects happen in humans.

Effectiveness

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

The effectiveness ratings for DONG QUAI are as follows:

Insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for…

  • Heart disease. Some early research shows that a natural medicine containing dong quai and other herbs given by injection might reduce chest pain, and improve heart function in people with heart disease.
  • High blood pressure in arteries carrying blood from the heart to the lungs (pulmonary hypertension). Some early research shows that dong quai given by injection might reduce blood pressure and improve blood flow in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and pulmonary hypertension.
  • Menopausal symptoms. Some early research shows that taking dong quai does not reduce hot flashes.
  • Stroke. Some rarly research shows that dong quai given by injection for 20 days does not improve brain function in people who had a stroke.
  • Allergies.
  • Anemia.
  • Constipation.
  • Early orgasm in men (premature ejaculation).
  • High blood pressure.
  • Joint aches and pains.
  • Migraine headache.
  • Painful menstrual periods.
  • Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
  • Problems during pregnancy..
  • Skin discoloration and psoriasis.
  • Ulcers.
  • Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of dong quai for these uses.

Dose

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

  • For menopausal symptoms: 15 chewable tablets of a product containing dong quai and chamomile (Climex) have been taken daily for 12 weeks. A specific product containing American ginseng, black cohosh, dong quai, milk thistle, red clover, and vitex agnus-castus (Phyto-Female Complex) has been taken twice daily for 3 months. A specific product containing burdock root, licorice root, motherwort, dong quai, and Mexican wild yam root has been taken three times daily for 3 months.

APPLIED TO THE SKIN:

  • For early orgasm in men (premature ejaculation): A specific cream containing Panax ginseng root, dong quai, Cistanches deserticola, Zanthoxyl species, Torlidis seed, clove flower, Asiasari root, cinnamon bark, and toad venom (SS Cream) has been applied to the glans penis 1 hour before sex and washed off immediately before sex.

Safety Concerns

Dong quai is POSSIBLY SAFE for adults when taken by mouth or when occasionally applied to the skin as a cream. More evidence is needed to determine its safety after prolonged or repeated use.

Dong quai can cause skin to become extra-sensitive to the sun. This might put you at greater risk for sunburn and skin cancer. Wear sun block outside, especially if you are light-skinned.

Taking dong quai in large amounts for a long period of time is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Dong quai contains chemicals that may cause cancer.

Special precautions & warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Taking dong quai by mouth during pregnancy is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for the baby. Dong quai seems to affect the muscles of the uterus. There is one report of a baby born with birth defects to a mother who took a product containing dong quai and other herbs during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Do not use dong quai if you are pregnant.

There is not enough information about the safety of using dong quai during breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and don’t use it.

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.

Protein S deficiency: People with protein S deficiency have an increased risk of blood clots. Dong quai might increase the risk of blood clots in people with protein S deficiency. Don’t use dong quai if you have protein S deficiency.

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

Interaction with medication

Major
Do not take this combination.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Warfarin (Coumadin) is used to slow blood clotting. Dong quai can also slow blood clotting. Taking dong quai along with warfarin (Coumadin) might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin (Coumadin) might need to be changed.
Moderate
Be cautious with this combination.
Estrogens
Dong quai might act like the hormone estrogen. When taken together, dong quai might increase the risk for estrogen side effects.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)
Dong quai might slow blood clotting. Taking dong quai along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, apixaban (Eliquis), rivaroxaban (Xarelto) and others.

* The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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