Why Is Dong Quai Called the ‘Female Ginseng’?

Increasing research shows that there may be scientific connections between dong quai’s uses and its claims. But there aren’t many well-designed Western-style trials to form a clinical conclusion. The proposed effects may be due to dong quai’s trans-ferulic acid and ability to dissolve in fats and oils as an essential oil. These components may have anti-inflammatory effects and decrease blood clotting.

People who may find benefits in dong quai are people with:

• heart conditions
• high blood pressure
• inflammation
• headaches
• infections
• nerve pain
• liver or kidney problems

In Chinese medicine theory, different parts of the root may have different effects.

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As the “female ginseng,” dong quai is popular for many women who have:

• pale and dull complexion
• dry skin and eyes
• blurry vision
• ridges in their nail beds
• frail body
• rapid heart beat

Soothing menstrual cramps

Women who experience abdominal cramps due to their period may find dong quai soothing. Ligustilide, a component of dong quai, is shown to promote nonspecific antispasmodic activity, especially for uterine muscles. Dong quai may also help regulate your menstrual cycle, although there’s little evidence for this.

A 2004 study showed that 39 percent of the women who took a concentrated dose of dong quai twice daily reported an improvement in their abdominal pain (such that they didn’t need painkillers) and a normalizing of their menstrual cycle. The majority (54 percent) thought that the pain was less severe but still needed painkillers to do day-to-day tasks.

Home remedies for menstrual cramps »

But the study wasn’t balanced, and the results were too similar to the control group to conclude that dong quai directly affects menstrual pain. It’s possible that dong quai simply has a placebo effect.

Menopause

Some people take dong quai to treat hot flashes. However, a 2006 study published in the journal American Family Physician also concludes that more research needs to be done on dong quai’s effectiveness in treating hot flashes. In one randomized controlled trial, which lasted for over a year, there was no significant difference in women who took a hot flash management product with dong quai as an ingredient.

Side effects in women

The American Pregnancy Association considers dong quai unsafe because it stimulates the muscles of the uterus, which could possibly lead to miscarriage. This herb also has some sedative and sleep-inducing effects, so it’s not recommended to use it during breastfeeding. Not using it during pregnancy and breastfeeding is the safest way to know it won’t affect your baby.

Dong quai may also act like estrogen in your body and affect hormone-sensitive conditions that worsen when exposed to estrogen, such as breast cancer.

There’s also no scientific evidence about dong quai’s potential to boost your fertility. Studies show that dong quai can thicken the lining of the uterus, although this was only tested in rats.

Because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate dong quai, its side effects aren’t as well known as those of prescription medicines. However, there are some confirmed side effects and interactions based on its 2,000-year history as a supplement. These include:

• difficulty breathing
• drop in blood pressure
• drowsiness
• fever
• headaches
• increased bleeding risk
• low blood sugar
• stomach upset
• sweating
• trouble sleeping
• vision loss

People who are allergic to plants in the carrot family, which includes anise, caraway, celery, dill, and parsley, shouldn’t take dong quai. Dong quai is in the same family as these plants and could cause a reaction.

Other medications dong quai may potentially react with include:

• birth control pills
• disulfiram, or Antabuse
• hormone replacement therapy
• ibuprofen, or Motrin and Advil
• lorazepam, or Ativan
• naproxen, or Naprosyn and Aleve
• topical tretinoin

Blood thinners like warfarin, or Coumadin in particular, can be dangerous with dong quai.

This list isn’t comprehensive. Always talk to your doctor before starting to take it, and read the manufacturer’s recommendations carefully about how much to take.

You can find most Chinese herbs in:

• bulk or raw form, including roots, twigs, leaves, and berries
• granular forms, which can be mixed with boiling water
• pill form, to be mixed with other herbs or sold solely as dong quai
• injection form, typically in China and Japan
• dried form, to be boiled and strained as tea or soup

Dong quai is rarely taken on its own. The idea behind traditional Chinese herbal medicine is that herbs work together, as one herb can counteract the side effects of the other. As such, herbalists usually prescribe a combination of herbs to target unique and individualized health needs. Buy from a trustworthy source. The FDA doesn’t monitor quality and some herbs can be impure or contaminated.

An herb commonly utilized with dong quai is black cohosh. This herb is also used to reduce symptoms associated with menstruation and menopause.

A trained practitioner can monitor your signs and symptoms and tell you if dong quai is right for you. Read labels carefully as this could impact the dosage you commonly take.

Dong quai is a supplement that has proposed benefits for blood health and may have an effect on slowing cancer growth. While it’s been used in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years, there aren’t many scientific studies to show that dong quai can significantly improve your blood health. Talk to your doctor before taking dong quai, especially if you’re taking other medications. Discontinue dong quai and visit a doctor if you experience any type of easy bleeding, such as bleeding gums or blood in your urine or stool. Avoid using dong quai if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive.