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Dong Quai

supporting women's reproductive health and managing menstrual/menopausal symptoms

herb
Human trial evidenceTraditional useInteraction riskNeeds more research

TCM herb for menstrual regulation and blood tonification.

Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis), often referred to as 'female ginseng,' is a traditional Chinese herb widely used for various gynecological conditions. It is believed to support women's health, particularly in managing menstrual irregularities, menopausal symptoms, and general vitality. While it has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, scientific evidence supporting its efficacy for specific health conditions is limited and often based on traditional observations rather than rigorous clinical trials. Consumers and clinicians should be aware of the current evidence gap and potential safety considerations.

Quick answer

What it is: Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis), often referred to as 'female ginseng,' is a traditional Chinese herb widely used for various gynecological conditions.

May support:Endometriosis, Perimenopause, Menopause

Evidence Summary

The current evidence grade for Dong Quai is low due to a lack of robust, high-quality clinical trials. Most claims are based on traditional use and anecdotal reports, with limited scientific studies to substantiate efficacy or safety in humans. Further research, including randomized controlled trials, is needed.

Last reviewed · Jun 2026

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Why It Works

Phytoestrogenic coumarins; uterine effects.

How it works in more detail

Dong Quai contains various active compounds, including coumarins (e.g., ferulic acid), polysaccharides, and phthalides. Ferulic acid is thought to have antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties, potentially contributing to its traditional use for pain relief. Some compounds may also have vasodilatory effects, which could improve blood flow. Its potential influence on estrogen receptors or other hormonal pathways is an area of ongoing investigation, but specific receptor interactions are not yet well-defined.

How to use

Always consult a qualified clinician.

Editorial guidance

Suggested dosage
500–2000 mg/day
Research dosage range
Due to the lack of extensive human clinical trials, a standardized research dosage range is not well-established.
Typical onset
Traditional use suggests that effects may be gradual, potentially taking several weeks to months of consistent use to become noticeable.
Typical forms
capsule, tablet, tincture, tea, powder
Quality markers
Look for products standardized to specific active compounds like ferulic acid, though this is not always available. Choose products from reputable manufacturers that provide third-party testing for purity and absence of contaminants. The botanical name Angelica sinensis should be clearly stated.
Medication interactions
  • anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin)
  • antiplatelet drugs (e.g., aspirin, clopidogrel)
Avoid if
  • pregnant
  • breastfeeding
  • bleeding disorders
  • taking anticoagulant medications
  • hormone-sensitive conditions (e.g., breast cancer, uterine fibroids)
  • prior allergic reaction to Angelica species

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Suggested dosage

500–2000 mg/day

General guidance — discuss specifics with a clinician.

Active medicinal compounds

Key active compounds in Dong Quai include coumarins (e.g., ferulic acid, ligustilide), polysaccharides, and phthalides.

Traditional use

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Dong Quai is highly valued for 'nourishing the blood,' 'invigorating blood circulation,' and 'regulating menstruation.' It is commonly used for conditions such as irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. It is also used to address general fatigue and weakness associated with blood deficiency.

Safety

Safety warnings

Avoid in pregnancy and with anticoagulants.

Avoid if

  • pregnant
  • breastfeeding
  • bleeding disorders
  • taking anticoagulant medications
  • hormone-sensitive conditions (e.g., breast cancer, uterine fibroids)
  • prior allergic reaction to Angelica species

Medication interactions

  • anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin)
  • antiplatelet drugs (e.g., aspirin, clopidogrel)

Reported side effects

  • photosensitivity/sunburn
  • gastrointestinal upset
  • bloating
  • diarrhea

General guidance — discuss specifics with a clinician.

Evidence ecosystem

Scientific literature, clinical guidance, government sources, ongoing research, traditional use, and lived experience — grouped by source type and quality.

Overall grade

The current evidence grade for Dong Quai is low due to a lack of robust, high-quality clinical trials. Most claims are based on traditional use and anecdotal reports, with limited scientific studies to substantiate efficacy or safety in humans. Further research, including randomized controlled trials, is needed.

Filter by source type

Observational Studies(1)

Cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional human studies.

Moderate Quality

  • Current alternative and complementary therapies used in menopause.

    Wong VC, Lim CE, Luo X, Wong WS · Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology · 2009

    To determine the efficacy and safety of common complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies used to relieve the menopausal symptoms. Comprehensive literature search was conducted through the databases Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane, AMED (Allied and Complementary Medicine), NCCAM (The National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) to identify relevant monographs in English language. Studies have shown that some therapies such as clonidine, selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs) and gabapentin are effective in decreasing the degree and frequency of somatic symptoms in menopause, while phytooestrogens and black cohosh have shown mixed results. Use of Ginseng, evening primrose, Dong Quai or vitamin E appears not to be efficacious for the relieving hot flushes. Other effects of these therapies including possible improvements in mood are yet to be substantiated. All available human complementary medicine studies on menopausal women with regard to the relief of

    Observational StudyPubMedLow Quality

Clinical Trial Registries(3)

Registered ongoing or completed trials (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Moderate Quality

  • Establishing Biobank in a Cohort Study for Hypertensive Patients in Guangdong Province(GDP Study)

    n=50000 · NCT04212455 · RECRUITING · RECRUITING

    Hypertension is the most common chronic diseases and a most important risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and also a substantial public health problem. The purpose of the study is to investigate the association between biomarkers and adverse outcomes in patients with hypertension.

    Clinical TrialClinicalTrials.govModerate Quality

  • Investigation on Diagnosis and Treatment of Helicobacter Pylori Infection by Gastroenterologists in Shandong Province

    n=100 · NCT04918134 · COMPLETED · COMPLETED

    Helicobacter pylori can lead to a variety of digestive system diseases.The eradication of Helicobacter pylori plays an importment role for the treatment of gastrointestinal ulcer and prevention of gastric cancer .Compared with other countries and regions in the world, the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori in China can reach more than 50%. The non-standard diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori greatly reduces its eradication rate and increases its drug resistance.Therefore, it is very important to strengthen the standardization of diagnosis and treatment to improve the eradication rate. The purpose of this study is to investigate the diagnosis and treatment status of Helicobacter pylori among gastroenterologists in general hospitals in Shandong Province.It can help us to understand the actual situation of diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori in hospitals at all levels, and to provide targeted diagnosis and treatment training for doctors.

    Clinical TrialClinicalTrials.govModerate Quality

  • Registry for the Management of Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Shandong Province

    n=10000 · NCT07335406 · RECRUITING · RECRUITING

    Helicobacter pylori infection is a common global gastrointestinal infectious disease, affecting approximately 43.1% of the world's population. Eradicating H. pylori is crucial for reducing the risk of developing conditions such as gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer. Currently, 14-day high-dose dual therapy containing amoxicillin and bismuth-containing quadruple therapy are the guideline-recommended first-line treatment regimens for H. pylori eradication. Treatment options for H. pylori vary considerably, with differing efficacy outcomes largely attributable to increasing bacterial antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, multiple factors influence the efficacy of H. pylori eradication, including smoking, body surface area, CYP2C19 gene polymorphisms, patient compliance, and regional variations. Therefore, to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of different treatment regimens alongside the cost-effectiveness of various therapeutic strategies, and to conduct ongoing critical analysis of clinical practice, this study proposes a long-term investigation of real-world clinical practice through a non-interventional cohort study registry. This will assess the effectiveness, safety, and temporal trends of different H. pylori infection treatment regimens, providing real-time evidence to support clinical practice.

    Clinical TrialClinicalTrials.govModerate Quality

Limitations: A significant limitation is the absence of well-designed human clinical trials. Many studies, if they exist, are often small, lack proper controls, or are in vitro/animal studies, which may not translate to human effects. Standardization of Dong Quai extracts also varies, making comparisons across studies difficult.

This page is educational. Statements use phrases like "may support" and "has been studied for"because no remedy here is approved to cure, treat, or reverse any condition. Discussion happens on the ailment pages — community statistics here are derived from those reports. Always consult a qualified clinician.

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