Evidence supporting the use of: Dong quai root
For the body system: Estrogen

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a remedy for female reproductive health, including menstrual irregularities, menopausal symptoms, and overall support of the "Estrogen body system." In TCM, dong quai is often referred to as the "female ginseng" and is included in many formulas aimed at "nourishing the blood" and supporting hormonal balance. However, modern scientific validation for dong quai's estrogenic effects is limited. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest potential weak estrogen-like activities due to certain phytochemicals present in dong quai, such as ferulic acid and ligustilide, but human clinical trials remain sparse and largely inconclusive. Most studies focus on its use in combination with other herbs rather than as a standalone intervention, making it difficult to isolate its specific effects on estrogen-related conditions. The consensus is that while dong quai is widely used in traditional systems for female reproductive health, robust scientific evidence supporting its efficacy or safety for this use is lacking. Therefore, the use of dong quai to support the estrogen body system is justified primarily by tradition rather than science.

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