Information Dong Quai

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Dong Quai Botanical Name: Angelica sinensis Common Names:

Chinese Angelica, Dang Gui, Danngui, Dong Qua, Tang Kuei, Tan Kue Bai

zhi(Note: Dong quai should not be confused with Angelica root or Angelica

seed.)

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#Overview)

_Overview_ (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#Overview)

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#Description) _Plant

Description_

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#Description)

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#Uses) _Medicinal Uses and

Indications_ (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#Uses)

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#Dosage) _Dosage and

Administration_ (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#Dosage)

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#Precautions) _Precautions_

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#Precautions)

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#InteractionsDepletions)

_Interactions

and Depletions_

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#InteractionsDepletions)

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#References) _Supporting

Research_

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#References)

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Overview

Dong quai has been used for over a thousand years as a spice, tonic, and

medicine in China, Korea and Japan. Although there have been few definitive

studies on dong quai, it is reputed to relieve constipation, increase red blood

cell count (which helps treat anemia), and to provide relief from menstrual

disorders such as cramps, irregular menstrual cycles, infrequent periods,

premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and menopausal symptoms. In Traditional Chinese

Medicine, it is used for a variety of purposes, including reproductive,

circulatory, and respiratory conditions.

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#t)

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Plant Description

Dong quai grows at high altitudes in the cold, damp, mountain regions of

China, Korea and Japan. This fragrant, perennial plant has smooth purplish

stems

and bears umbrella-shaped clusters of white flowers and winged fruits in

July and August. The yellowish-brown thick-branched roots of the dong quai

plant

have a number of medicinal uses. It takes three years for the plant to reach

maturity, after which time the root is harvested and formulated into

tablets, powders, and other medicinal forms.

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#t)

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Medicinal Uses and Indications

Dong quai contains compounds that, in laboratory tests, have demonstrated

activities that may translate into reduction of pain, dilation of blood

vessels, and stimulation as well as relaxation of uterine muscles. Animal

studies

suggest that dong quai may treat abnormal heart rhythm, prevent accumulation of

platelets in blood vessels (contributing to plaque formation or

atherosclerosis), protect the liver, promote urination, act as a mild laxative,

promote

sleep, and fight infection.

The scientific evidence regarding the use of dong quai in people is weak.

The data consist primarily of laboratory and animal studies as described above,

with a few preliminary studies in people. More studies are needed to

determine the herb's safety and effectiveness in humans.

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#t)

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Treatment

Reports and studies of possible uses of dong quai include the following:

* Menopausal symptoms—some women report relief of symptoms such as hot

flashes from this medicinal herb; however, clinical studies to date do not

support the effectiveness of dong quai for menopausal symptoms.

* PMS—studies suggest that dong quai offers some value when used in

conjunction with other Chinese herbs, particularly black cohosh, to treat PMS.

* Anemia—there are individual reports of successful treatment of

anemia using dong quai, but to date no studies verify this.

* Heart disease—when used in combination with ginseng (Asian ginseng)

and astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), dong quai decreased symptoms of

chest pain and improved exercise tolerance in a small group of people with

heart

disease.

* Stroke—a series of reports published in China indicate that the use

of dong quai just following a stroke demonstrated a decrease in the amount of

brain damage; more research is needed.

* High blood pressure—reports indicate that dong quai may lower blood

pressure in some individuals.

* Ulcers—animal studies suggest dong quai may soothe ulcers, but

studies in people are needed before a definitive conclusion can be drawn.

Other conditions for which dong quai has been used clinically, although

studies are still lacking:

* Constipation

* Migraine headache

* Pain

* Liver disorders

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#t)

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Dosage and Administration

In different parts of the world, dong quai is available in a variety of

forms including tablets, powders, and injectable solutions. The latter are used

in China and Japan in appropriate hospital or health center settings;

injectable solutions are not available commercially in the United States or

other

Western countries and homemade injectable solutions should never be used.

Dong quai should be stored in a cool, dry place and, like all herbal

products, be used prior to the expiration date.

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#t)

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Pediatric

Dong quai is not recommended for children because no information relating to

appropriate doses of the herb for children has been found in the literature

to date. (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#t)

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Adult

Dried herb (raw root) may be boiled or soaked in wine before consuming.

Powdered herb (available in capsules)—500 to 600 mg tablets or capsules up

to 6 times per day.

Tincture (1:5, 70% alcohol): 40 to 80 drops (equivalent to 2 to 4 mL; there

are 5 mL in a teaspoon) 3 times per day.

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#t)

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Precautions

Drinking the essential oil of dong quai is not recommended because it

contains a small amount of cancer-causing substances. The amount of oil in the

herb

and its extracts is not significant and is not a health concern.

Dong quai should not be used by those who have chronic diarrhea or abdominal

bloating. (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#t)

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Side Effects

Dong quai, particularly at high doses, may increase an individual's

sensitivity to sunlight and subsequently cause skin inflammation and rashes.

People

taking dong quai should minimize their exposure to sunlight or use sunscreen

while taking the herb.

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#t)

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Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Dong quai should not be used during pregnancy because it may affect the

muscular functioning of the uterus. It should also be avoided by nursing

mothers,

because there is little information about its effect on the infant through

breast milk. (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#t)

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Pediatric Use

Dong quai should not be given to children because of the lack of information

regarding its use in this age group.

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#t)

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Interactions and Depletions

Dong quai may interact with the following medications and herbs:

Warfarin

Dong quai can increase the potency and, therefore, potential risks of

blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin, so it should not be taken with

these

medicines.

Hormone medications

Although there is little research on the use of dong quai with hormone

medications such as estrogens, progesterones, oral contraceptives, tamoxifen or

raloxifene, health practitioners advise against using them together due to the

possibility of adverse effects.

Blood-thinning herbs

Although reported extremely rarely and not published in the scientific

literature, combining dong quai with other herbs that thin the blood could

possibly increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Herbs with such

potential

that should be used only with tremendous caution and supervision when combined

with dong quai include feverfew (Tanecetum parthenium), garlic (Allium

sativum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), ginseng (Asian

ginseng), licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), chinese skullcap (Scutellaria

baicalensis), and turmeric (Curcuma longa).

Herbs or medications that cause sun sensitivity

Given that dong quai may increase an individual's sensitivity to sunlight,

it should not be taken with other medications or herbs (such as St. John's

wort) that cause the same reactions.

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#t)

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Supporting Research

Bensky D, Gamble A. Tonifying herbs. In: Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia

Medica. Seattle, WA: Eastland Press; 1993:329-331.

Blumenthal M. Twenty-seven major botanicals and their uses in the United

States. In: Eskinazi D, Blumenthal M, Farnsworth N, Riggins CW. Botanical

Medicine. Larchmont, NY: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.; 1999:18-19.

Chen SG, Li CC, Zhuang XX. Protective effects of Angeical sinensis injection

on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rabbits [in Chinese]. Zhonggou

Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1995;15(8):486-488.

Cho CH, Mei QB, Shang P, et al. Study of the gastrointestinal protective

effects of polysaccharides from Angelica sinensis in rats. Planta Med.

2000;66(4):348-351.

Dai L, Hou J, Cai H. Using ligustrazini and angelica sinensis treat the

bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats [in Chinese]. Zhonghua Jie He He

Hu

Xi Za Zhi. 1996;19(1):26-28.

DerMarderosian A, ed. Dong Quai. In: Facts and Comparisons The Review of

Natural Products. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co.: 1997.

Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complementary and

Alternative Medicine. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corporation; 1999.

Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal: A Sensible Guide to the Use of

Herbs and Related Remedies. 4th ed., Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press;

1999.

Fugh-Berman A. Herb-drug interactions. Lancet. 2000; 355(9198):134-138.

Hardy ML. Herbs of special interest to women. J Am Pharm Assoc.

2000;40(2):234-242.

Hirata JD, Swiersz LM, Zell B, Small R, Ettinger B. Does dong quai have

estrogenic effects in postmenopausal women? A double-blind, placebo-controlled

trial. Fertil Steril. 1997;68(6):981-986.

Israel D, Youngkin E. Herbal therapies for perimenopausal and menopausal

complaints. Pharmacother. 1997:17(5):970-984.

Kuhn M, Winston D. Herbal Therapy and Supplements: A Scientific and

Traditional Approach. Phildelphia, Pa: Lippincott; 2001.

Liao JZ, Chen JJ, Wu ZM, Guo WQ, Zhao LY, Qin LM, et al. Clinical and

experimental studies of coronary heart disease treated with Yi-qi Huo-xue

injection. J Tradit Chin Med. 1989;9(3):193-198.

McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A. American Herbal Products

Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. New York, NY: CRC Press; 1997.

Miller LG, Murray WJ, eds. Herbal Medicinals: A Clinician Guide. New York,

NY: Pharmaceutical Products Press; 1998:287.

Page RL 2nd, Lawrence JD. Potentiation of warfarin by dong quai.

Pharmacother. 1999;19(7):870-876.

Peirce A. The American Pharmaceutical Association. Practical Guide to

Natural Medicines. New York, NY: The Stonesong Press, Inc.; 1999.

Shaw CR. The perimenopausal hot flash: epidemiology, physiology, and

treatment. Nurse Pract. 1997;22(3):55-56, 61-66.

Shi YM, Wu QZ. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in children treated with

replenishing qi and tonifying kidney and the changes in thrombocyte

aggregative function. [Article in Chinese]. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi

1991;11(1):14-16.

Smolinske A. Dietary supplement-drug interactions. J Am Med Womens Assoc.

1999;54(4):191-196.

Sun SW, Wang JF. Efficacy of danggui funing pill in treating 162 cases of

abdominal pain. [Article in Chinese]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi

1992;12(9): 517, 531-532.

Williamson JS, Wyandt CM. An herbal update. Drug Topics. 1998;142(6):66-75.

Wyandt CM, Williamson JS. For physicians and pharmacists: a comprehensive

overview of popular herbs, their pharmacologic activities and potential uses.

In: Saltmarsh N, Falcon M, Micozzi MS, Bacchus AN, eds. Physician's Guide to

Alternative Medicine. Atlanta, GA: American Health Consultants; 1999:37-38.

Yim TK, Wu WK, Pak WF, Mak DH, Liang SM, Ko KM. Myocardial protection

against ischaemia-reperfusion injury by a Polygonum multiflorum extract

supplemented 'Dang-Gui decoction for enriching blood', a compound formulation,

ex vivo.

Phytother Res. 2000;14(3):195-199.

Zhao L. Prevention of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension with " qi-xue " injection

[in Chinese]. Zhongguo Yi Xue Ke Xue Yuan Xue Bao. 1990;12(1):51-55.

Zhao L, Zhang Y, Xu ZX. Clinical effect and experimental study of Xijian

Tongshuan pill. [Article in Chinese]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi

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Zhu DPQ. Dong quai. Am J Chin Med. 1987;15(3-4):117-125.

(http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/DongQuaich.html#t)

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Review March 2001 Reviewed By: Participants in the review process

include: Jacqueline A. Hart, MD, Department of Internal Medicine,

Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Harvard University and Senior Medical Editor

Integrative

Medicine, Boston, MA; Gary Kracoff, RPh (Pediatric Dosing section February

2001),

Johnson Drugs, Natick, MA; Steven Ottariono, RPh (Pediatric Dosing section

February 2001), Veteran's Administrative Hospital, Londonderry, NH; David

Winston, Herbalist, Herbalist and Alchemist, Inc., Washington, NJ.

 

Copyright © 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc

 

 

No information in this letter should be construed as medical advice.

This information is for educational purposes only.

 

Jeff Frankel

10360 Pine Lakes Blvd

North Fort Myers, Fl 33903

239-731-2655

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