Dong Quai
Also known as: Angelica sinensis, Chinese Angelica, Female Ginseng, Dang Gui
Effective Dosage
No established dose
What the Science Says
Dong Quai is a root herb from traditional Chinese medicine, derived from Angelica sinensis. It is most commonly used in combination herbal formulas aimed at relieving menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, where some multi-ingredient products have shown modest benefits. Lab studies suggest its polysaccharides may have anti-cancer and antioxidant properties, but these findings have not been confirmed in human clinical trials.
What It Doesn't Do
Does not work as a standalone menopause treatment — the one rigorous solo trial showed no benefit over placebo. Not proven to act like estrogen in the body. No human evidence it treats cancer, diabetes, or leukemia. Don't expect it to balance hormones on its own.
Evidence-Based Benefits
When used alone, dong quai showed no significant benefit over placebo for menopausal symptoms, hot flashes, or estrogenic effects on vaginal cells or endometrial thickness in a 24-week RCT (PMID: 9418683). In multi-ingredient herbal formulas, combinations including dong quai have shown reductions in hot flushes and night sweats, but the individual contribution of dong quai cannot be isolated (PMID: 17454163, PMID: 12224599). Preclinical data suggest its polysaccharides may have anti-leukemic and hematoprotective properties, but no clinical evidence supports these uses (PMID: 24377566, PMID: 29143796).
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established dose from provided studies (used only in multi-ingredient formulas in most trials)
Source: auto-research
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — no pharmacokinetic data provided in the available studies
Red Flags to Watch For
- Known herb-drug interactions: may interact with blood thinners like warfarin and other Western medications — check with a doctor before use
- Most positive studies used multi-ingredient blends, making it impossible to credit Dong Quai specifically for any benefit
- The only rigorous solo RCT found it performed no better than placebo for menopausal symptoms
- Widely sold in over 1,000 registered supplement products despite very limited solo clinical evidence
- Lab findings on cancer and leukemia stem cells are pre-clinical only — do not use as a cancer treatment
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-04-06