Dong Quai: Information, Benefits and Side Effects
Dong quai is a traditional herbal remedy derived from Angelica sinensis, a plant with pale green flowers that grows in China, Korea and Japan. Known as "female ginseng," the herb is widely used in Chinese medicine as a tonic for women. Herbalists have long used a tea made from dong quai to treat menstrual disorders, cramps and other gynecological conditions.
It also has a history of use in China as a heart, spleen, liver, kidney and general blood tonic. In more recent times, interest in herbal and alternative medicine has made dong quai a popular alternative to pharmaceutical hormone replacement therapy for treating symptoms of menopause.
A wide range of pharmacologically-active compounds have been identified in dong quai, including ligustilide, butylidenephthalide and butylphthalide. Animal experiments have shown that these agents can relax smooth muscle and reduce uterine contractions. Thus, they may be responisble for dong quai's reputed ability to relieve menstrual cramps, but direct proof is lacking.
As noted above, dong quai is also a popular treatment for menopausal symptoms, although the few studies that exist are either equivocal or negative.
For example, one study on 71 post-menopausal women with hot flashes found dong quai was...
"...no more helpful than placebo in relieving menopausal symptoms."
A more recent Chinese study on "Dang Gui Buxue Tang" (a Chinese herbal preparation consisting of dong quai and astragalus) also concluded that there was "...overall no significant difference between Dang Gui Buxue Tang and placebo in the
treatment of vasomotor symptoms in Hong Kong Chinese women."
This is par for the course. Unfortunately, there are very few human studies on dong quai, period. Anecdotal reports indicate it may have therapeutic value, but there's little hard data that can either affirm or deny these reports.
On the plus side, there are a number of in-vitro and animal experiments that demonstrate dong quai has anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, antioxidant, immune-enhancing and anti-tumor activities, although far more study is needed to determine its true value for treating human disease.
Dong quai supplements are made from the whole root of the angelica sinesis plant. It is available in capsules, tablets, liquid extracts, and teas. If you're interested in experimenting with it, check out Xtend Life's Total Balance for Women (or the Total Balance for Women Premium formula) as both contain dong quai as part of a more extensive formula.
The herb is not recommended for long-term use, and it should not be used during pregnancy. Women with heavy menstrual bleeding or fibroids should also avoid the use of dong quai.
Side effects of dong quai may include diarrhea and sun sensitivity in individuals with fair skin. Since dong quai contains coumarin derivatives, anyone taking the prescription anticoagulant Coumadin (warfarin), which is also a coumarin derivative, should not take dong quai without the advice of a physician.
We highly recommend the Xtend-Life brand of vitamins. A New Zealand based-company with a passion for developing excellent products and backing them up with stellar customer service, we highly recommend you visit their web site and investigate their offerings.
Visit the Xtend-Life web site! (Link will open in a new window... you will not lose your place here!) |
Have you been the victim of a product that makes exaggerated claims? Launch a complaint!
US visitors should submit a complaint to the US Federal Trade Commission!
Canadians, submit a complaint at the Canadian Competition Bureau!
Back to vitamins and minerals home!
|
SEARCH SITE
