Dong Quai

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Used for over 2,000 years to nourish the blood, balance hormones, and treat menstrual irregularities.
• Women’s Health: Known as the "female ginseng," it is used to alleviate menopausal symptoms, regulate menstruation, and enhance fertility.
• Other Uses: Applied as a general tonic to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and combat fatigue.

• Coumarins: Umbelliferone, psoralen (anticoagulant and vascular health properties).
• Phthalides: Ligustilide, butylidenephthalide (relieves smooth muscle spasms and improves blood flow).
• Polysaccharides: Enhance immune function.
• Essential Oils: Beta-caryophyllene, ferulic acid (anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties).
• Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamin B12, iron, folic acid (support blood health).

• Hormonal Balancer: Regulates estrogen levels by acting as a phytoestrogen.
• Blood Circulation Enhancer: Improves microcirculation and prevents clot formation.
• Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation and oxidative stress in tissues.
• Smooth Muscle Relaxant: Relieves uterine cramps and gastrointestinal spasms.
• Immune Modulator: Supports immune system function.
• Cardioprotective: Improves cardiovascular health by promoting healthy blood flow.

1. Relieves Menstrual Disorders:

• Effect: Alleviates cramps, irregular periods, and heavy bleeding.
• Key Study: Clinical trials show that Dong Quai is effective in reducing dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)

2. Supports Menopause Management:

• Use: Reduces symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings.
• Evidence: Works synergistically with other herbs like black cohosh and red clover for menopausal support.

3. Improves Circulation:

• Mechanism: Enhances blood flow, reducing symptoms of anemia and cold extremities.

4. Boosts Fertility:

• Effect: Nourishes the blood and regulates hormones, improving reproductive health.

5. Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant:

• Use: Reduces chronic inflammation, particularly in conditions like arthritis.

6. Supports Cardiovascular Health:

• Mechanism: Prevents blood clot formation and reduces hypertension.

• Pregnancy: Avoid due to potential uterine-stimulating effects, which could lead to miscarriage.
• Bleeding Disorders: Dong Quai may increase bleeding risk.
• Hormone-Sensitive Conditions: Avoid if you have estrogen-dependent cancers, such as breast or uterine cancer.

• Mild gastrointestinal discomfort, including bloating or nausea.
• Photosensitivity, causing skin reactions in sunlight.
• Rare cases of headaches or dizziness.

• Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Drugs: May increase bleeding risk (e.g., warfarin, aspirin).
• Hormonal Therapies: May interact with estrogen replacement therapy.
• Blood Pressure Medications: May enhance the effects of antihypertensive drugs.
• Herbs: Synergizes well with black cohosh and red clover for hormonal support.

• A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Effect of a Chinese Herbal Medicine Preparation (Dang Gui Buxue Tang) on Menopause Symptoms in Hong Kong Chinese Women
• Analytical comparison of different parts of Radix Angelicae Sinensis by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry
• Estrogen Bioactivity in Fo-Ti and Other Herbs Used for Their Estrogen-Like Effects as Determined by a Recombinant Cell Bioassay
• Phyto-female Complex for the Relief of Hot Flushes, Night Sweats and Quality of Sleep: Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Pilot Study

Dong Quai is a versatile herb with significant benefits for women’s health, cardiovascular support, and inflammation management. Its phytoestrogenic and blood-enhancing properties make it a valuable tool for managing menstrual disorders, menopause symptoms, and poor circulation. However, it should be used cautiously in individuals with bleeding disorders or hormone-sensitive conditions.