This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
This herb is NOT recommended during pregnancy due to potential risks to the developing fetus.
This herb is NOT recommended while breastfeeding as effects on infants are unknown.
Consult your healthcare provider before use.
2 Known Drug Interactions — Some May Be Serious
1 Severe1 Moderate
This herb may interact with medications you are taking. Review the interactions table below and consult your healthcare provider before use.
What is a herb–drug interaction?
A herb–drug interaction happens when a plant or supplement changes how a medication works in your body — making it stronger, weaker, or more likely to cause harm. Herbs contain active compounds that can speed up or slow down the enzymes and transporters your body uses to process drugs.
Why it matters
•St. John's Wort can make birth control, antidepressants, and blood thinners less effective.
•Garlic can increase bleeding risk with warfarin and other blood thinners (also ginkgo, ginger, and turmeric).
•Kava can amplify sedation when taken with anxiety or sleep medications (also valerian).
The risk is highest for older adults, anyone taking several medications, and people with chronic conditions.
Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about every herb and supplement you take — and check below before combining.
Dong quai contains coumarin compounds and may prolong bleeding time, adding to aspirin's antiplatelet effect. Use caution, especially before surgery.
This list reflects a curated subset of documented interactions and is not exhaustive. The absence of a drug here is not proof that it is safe to combine. Always confirm with a pharmacist or healthcare provider.
Dong Quai contains active compounds such as ligustilide and ferulic acid which function as phytoestrogens and antispasmodics. Its mechanism involves relaxing smooth muscle tissue in the uterus and blood vessels, which helps explain its traditional use for alleviating menstrual cramps and improving blood circulation. Additionally, it may stimulate hematopoiesis (blood formation), supporting its classification as a blood tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Evidence Level: B.
Does Dong Quai interact with blood thinners like Warfarin?
Yes, Dong Quai interacts dangerously with anticoagulants like warfarin. The herb contains natural coumarins that possess blood-thinning properties, which can compound the effects of prescription blood thinners and significantly increase the risk of bleeding. It should also be avoided with antiplatelet drugs and NSAIDs. Always consult a physician before use if taking cardiovascular medications. Evidence Level: C.
What is the recommended dosage for Dong Quai root?
The typical adult dosage for Dong Quai is 200-600mg of a standardized extract taken daily. In traditional decoction form, 3-15g of dried root is commonly prescribed. Dosage depends on the specific formulation and the condition being treated, such as menstrual irregularity or menopausal support. Consult a qualified practitioner for personalized dosing instructions. Evidence Level: Traditional.
Is Dong Quai safe to take during pregnancy?
No, Dong Quai is considered unsafe during pregnancy due to its uterine stimulant properties. It can trigger contractions, potentially leading to miscarriage or premature labor. Because it acts as a blood tonic that increases circulation, it is also contraindicated for women experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding or those with bleeding disorders. Avoid use while breastfeeding. Evidence Level: C.
Can Dong Quai help with menopausal hot flashes?
Dong Quai is frequently used to manage menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flashes. As a phytoestrogen, it may help regulate hormonal fluctuations, though clinical evidence regarding its efficacy for menopause remains mixed (Evidence Level: B). In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is rarely used alone but combined with other herbs to nourish the blood and restore balance.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant used primarily for women's health, including menstruation and menopause [PMID:27211015, PMID:30000896].
Background
Angelica sinensis, also known as Dang Gui, is a traditional medicinal and edible plant popular in China, Japan, and Korea [PMID:27211015].
Traditional uses
It has been used for tonifying, replenishing, and invigorating blood, relieving pain, lubricating the intestines, and treating female irregular menstruation and amenorrhea [PMID:27211015]. It is also used as a tonic and spice [PMID:3425569].
Active compounds
Active components include polysaccharides (composed of glucose, galactose, arabinose, rhamnose, fucose, xylose, and galacturonic acid) [PMID:34090852], as well as ligustilide, ferulic acid, angelicide, and pyranocoumarins [PMID:30000896, PMID:29215592].
Mechanism of action
Pharmacological activities include hematopoietic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory effects [PMID:34090852, PMID:24345498]. Sodium ferulate inhibits the TNF/TNFR signal transduction pathway to provide anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties, while polysaccharidic fractions stimulate UDP-glycosyltransferases to promote proteoglycan biosynthesis in cartilage [PMID:25538068].
Clinical evidence
Evidence AIschemic Stroke
Extracts and active compounds (Z-ligustilide, 3-n-Butylphthalide, and ferulic acid) show significant effects on anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative stress, and angiogenesis [PMID:34362631]
Evidence AEndometrial Cancer
Angelica-based formulas may improve quality of life in patients, though results remain controversial [PMID:40411686]
Evidence BHot Flashes (Men in Androgen Deprivation Therapy)
A randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial was conducted to determine therapeutic benefit, though the provided abstract does not state the final outcome [PMID:20165579]
Evidence BFistula-in-ano (Infancy)
In a clinical trial of 22 patients treated with Ginseng and Tang-kuei Ten Combination, 21 patients reached remission [PMID:15043669]
Pregnancy & lactation
Dong quai is best avoided during breastfeeding [PMID:30000896].
Drug interactions
Concurrent use with warfarin or antiplatelet drugs may increase the risk of bleeding [PMID:10675182, PMID:30000896, PMID:10531760]. One case report documented a greater than 2-fold elevation in prothrombin time and INR in a patient taking dong quai and warfarin concurrently [PMID:10417036].
Evidence summary
The evidence consists primarily of traditional use reports, in vitro studies, and review articles (Level C/D), with some systematic reviews (Level A) and small clinical trials (Level B) regarding specific conditions like ischemic stroke and pediatric fistula-in-ano.
2.PMID: 34090852 (2021) — Extraction, structure, pharmacological activities and drug carrier applications of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide. · International journal of biological macromolecules
3.PMID: 27211015 (2016) — Angelica sinensis in China-A review of botanical profile, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and chemical analysis. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
4.PMID: 27677719 (2016) — Botanicals and Their Bioactive Phytochemicals for Women's Health. · Pharmacological reviews
5.PMID: 3425569 (1987) — Dong quai. · The American journal of Chinese medicine
6.
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
PMID: 30000896 (2006) — Insights into the Mechanism of Supramolecular Self-Assembly in the Astragalus membranaceus-Angelica sinensis Codecoction. · ACS applied materials & interfaces
7.PMID: 39378693 (2024) — Dang-Gui-Bu-Xue decoction against diabetic nephropathy via modulating the carbonyl compounds metabolic profile and AGEs/RAGE pathway. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
8.PMID: 12385490 (2002) — Phytoestrogens: a viable option? · The American journal of the medical sciences
9.PMID: 10531760 (1999) — Dietary supplement-drug interactions. · Journal of the American Medical Women's Association (1972)
10.PMID: 25538068 (2015) — Angelica sinensis and osteoarthritis: a natural therapeutic link? · Bio-medical materials and engineering
11.PMID: 39882753 (2025) — Mechanisms of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao (huang qi) and Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (dang gui) in Ameliorating Hypoxia and Angiogenesis to Delay Pulmonary Nodule Malignant Transformation. · Integrative cancer therapies
12.PMID: 16278617 (2005) — Use of dong quai (Angelica sinensis) to treat peri- or postmenopausal symptoms in women with breast cancer: is it appropriate? · Menopause (New York, N.Y.)
13.PMID: 34362631 (2021) — Overview of therapeutic potentiality of Angelica sinensis for ischemic stroke. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
14.PMID: 20165579 (2010) — Dong Quai (angelica sinensis) in the treatment of hot flashes for men on androgen deprivation therapy: results of a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial. · Canadian Urological Association journal = Journal de l'Association des urologues du Canada
15.PMID: 29215592 (2017) — Natural Korean Medicine Dang-Gui: Biosynthesis, Effective Extraction and Formulations of Major Active Pyranocoumarins, Their Molecular Action Mechanism in Cancer, and Other Biological Activities. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
16.PMID: 11366544 (1998) — "Dong Quai" or "Angelica sinensis". · Positive health news
17.PMID: 24345498 (2013) — Phytochemical and pharmacological studies on Radix Angelica sinensis. · Chinese journal of natural medicines
18.PMID: 33308095 (2020) — Progress in Traditional Chinese Medicine for the Treatment of Migraine. · The American journal of Chinese medicine
19.PMID: 15043669 (2004) — Management for fistula-in-ano with Ginseng and Tang-kuei Ten Combination. · Pediatrics international : official journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
20.PMID: 10417036 (1999) — Potentiation of warfarin by dong quai. · Pharmacotherapy
21.PMID: 40411686 (2025) — Efficacy and mechanisms of Angelica sinensis in treating endometrial cancer: an integrated study. · Discover oncology
22.PMID: 27041997 (2016) — Effects of Dang-Gui-Bu-Xue-Tang, an herbal decoction, on iron uptake in iron-deficient anemia. · Drug design, development and therapy
24.PMID: 39271137 (2025) — Decoding the root lignification mechanism of Angelica sinensis through genome-wide DNA methylation analysis. · Journal of experimental botany
25.PMID: 40848800 (2025) — Hydroalcoholic gel of Angelica sinensis polysaccharides: Antioxidant activity and promotion of wound healing. · International journal of biological macromolecules