Evidence supporting the use of: Dong quai
For the health condition: Menopause
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine, particularly for women's health issues such as menstrual cramps, irregular periods, and menopausal symptoms. Its nickname, "female ginseng," reflects its long-standing reputation in East Asian herbal medicine as a tonic for female reproductive health. The primary rationale for its use in menopause is its purported phytoestrogenic activity, which is believed to help alleviate symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings by mildly mimicking estrogen in the body. However, scientific studies evaluating Dong Quai for menopause have yielded mixed and generally inconclusive results. Systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials typically find little to no evidence that Dong Quai alone is effective in significantly reducing menopausal symptoms compared to placebo. Some studies have explored Dong Quai in combination with other herbs, but the effects are difficult to attribute to Dong Quai specifically. Therefore, while Dong Quai's use for menopause is deeply rooted in tradition, robust scientific validation is lacking. Caution is also advised, as Dong Quai may interact with other medications and has potential side effects, including photosensitivity and increased bleeding risk. In summary, the primary justification for using Dong Quai for menopause is traditional rather than scientific.
Other ingredients used for Menopause
27-deoxyactein7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
8-Prenylnaringenin
Achyranthes
Agnuside
Agrimonia pilosa
Akebia
Alchemilla
Alfalfa
Aloe vera
amaranth
Anemarrhena
anemarrhena asphodeloides
antler
Ashoka
ashwagandha
asparagus
astragalus
atractylodes
atractylone
banyan
barrenwort
bee pollen
bioflavonoids
black cohosh
black currant
black root
black seed
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
calcium
chaste tree
Chinese silkvine
Clary sage
Cnidium
cohosh
cordyceps
Crinum latifolium
Cynomorium
daidzein
damiana
danshen
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dioscorea
dog rose
dong quai
dong quai root
durian
eleuthero
elk antler
equol (proprietary)
estrogen
Euryale seed
evening primrose oil
evening primrose oil
fenugreek
Ficus religiosa
fish oil
flaxseed
fo-ti
genistein
genistin
Glycetein
goji berry
hibiscus
HMR lignan
hops
horny goat weed
Hypericum
Indian frankincense
isoflavones
jujube
knotweed
kudzu
Labisia pumila
Lady's Mantle
lemon balm
licorice root
lignans
linden
lingzhi
Loranthus
lotus
Lycium
maca
macaenes
macamides
Marine lipid
Meadow sage
Melatonin
Miroestrol
Montanoa tomentosa
Moringa
Motherwort
Nettle
okra
omega-3 fatty acids
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
Phytoestrogens
pollen
Polygonum
pomegranate
Prickly Pear Cactus
Puerain
Pulsatilla
red clover
Rehmannia
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rhubarb
rockweed
Rooibos
root tuber
Rosa laevigata
rose
rose oil
royal jelly
Rubia cordifolia
Rubus
rue
saffron
sage
seaweed
smilax
Soy
soy isoflavones
Soy Protein
soybean
Stone Root
Valerian root
Vervain
Viburnum
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Vitex Agnus-Castus
Wild yam
Withanolides
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Other health conditions supported by dong quai
AmenorrheaAnemia
Circulation (poor)
Dysmenorrhea
Estrogen (low)
Fatigue
Fibroids (uterine)
Hot Flashes
Menopause
Menstrual Irregularity
Menstruation (scant)
PMS (general)
Vaginal Dryness
