Dong Quai
Herb ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Dong quai is Angelica sinensis root, traditionally used for menstrual discomfort and menopausal symptoms. Controlled human evidence for menopausal symptom relief is weak, and a randomized trial did not show estrogen-like benefit. Safety concerns include bleeding interactions, photosensitivity, pregnancy risk, and possible hormone-sensitive condition concerns.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Dong Quai is a herb most often used for traditional support for menstrual cramps, traditional menopausal symptom support, may provide antispasmodic and circulation-related effects. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as insufficient. A typical adult dose is 500-2,000 mg/day root extract or product-specific traditional formulas, commonly taken as standardized angelica sinensis root extract from a contaminant-tested product. This profile indexes 3 sources.
- GI upset
- Photosensitivity or rash
- Headache
- Pregnancy because of uterine stimulant concern
- Use with anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy without clinician guidance
The bottom line
Evidence rating insufficient. Most-documented uses: traditional support for menstrual cramps, traditional menopausal symptom support, may provide antispasmodic and circulation-related effects. 3 sources indexed (1997–2013), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Dong quai contains ferulic acid, ligustilide, polysaccharides, coumarin-like constituents, and phthalides that may have antispasmodic, vasodilatory, and anti-inflammatory actions. Despite traditional use as a women's tonic, it has not shown consistent estrogenic effects in controlled human testing. Coumarin-like constituents and case reports support caution with anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents.1,3
Dosing & protocol.
Take with meals to reduce GI upset. Traditional formulas often combine dong quai with other herbs, making effect attribution difficult.
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Dong quai root extract capsule.
Third-party testing for contaminants and correct identity is worth prioritizing. Updated 2026-06-04.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- GI upset
- Photosensitivity or rash
- Headache
- Increased bleeding or bruising risk
- Potential uterine stimulation
Contraindications
- Pregnancy because of uterine stimulant concern
- Use with anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy without clinician guidance
- Bleeding disorders or upcoming surgery
- Hormone-sensitive cancers or endometriosis without clinician guidance
- Photosensitivity disorders or photosensitizing medications
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Randomized controlled trials
1- 1Does dong quai have estrogenic effects in postmenopausal women? A double-blind, placebo-controlled trialHirata JD et al. · Fertility and Sterility · 1997
Dong quai did not improve menopausal symptoms or show estrogenic effects compared with placebo.
Reviews & position papers
1- 2Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels: a comprehensive review of traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicologyChen XP et al. · Journal of Ethnopharmacology · 2013
Review summarized traditional uses and mechanistic data while highlighting safety and evidence limitations.
Observational studies
1- 3Potentiation of warfarin by dong quaiPage RL et al. · Pharmacotherapy · 1999
Dong quai use was associated with elevated anticoagulation effect in a warfarin-treated patient.
Common questions.
Quick answers about Dong Quai, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Dong Quai?
Dong quai is Angelica sinensis root, traditionally used for menstrual discomfort and menopausal symptoms. Controlled human evidence for menopausal symptom relief is weak, and a randomized trial did not show estrogen-like benefit. Safety concerns include bleeding interactions, photosensitivity, pregnancy risk, and possible hormone-sensitive condition concerns.
What is Dong Quai used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Dong Quai include: Traditional support for menstrual cramps; Traditional menopausal symptom support; May provide antispasmodic and circulation-related effects; Evidence for hot flashes is insufficient. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as insufficient.
What is a typical dose of Dong Quai?
A typical adult dose of Dong Quai is 500-2,000 mg/day root extract or product-specific traditional formulas. The commonly recommended form is Standardized Angelica sinensis root extract from a contaminant-tested product. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Dong Quai?
Reported side effects include gi upset, photosensitivity or rash, headache, increased bleeding or bruising risk, potential uterine stimulation. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Dong Quai?
NutriStack rates this as Insufficient, meaning the body of evidence reviewed in NutriStack's tiering framework. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Dong Quai in NutriStack.
Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.