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Dong Quai
(Angelica sinensis)
DESCRIPTION
Dong Quai is one of the major herbs used in Chinese herbal
formulas. It is closely related to European Angelica
archngelica, a common garden herb. In the late 1800s, an extract
of dong quai known as Eumenol became popular in Europe as
a "female tonic". Today, dong quai is still generally
considered a remedy for menstrual problems by people in the
West.
HERBAL USES
In Chinese traditional medicine,
dong quai is considered one of the most important herbs for
strengthening the "xue,", or blood.
SUGGESTED INTAKES
The supervision of a qualified
Chinese herbalist is recommended to determine the correct
dosage and formula. In regards to self-treatments, 10 to 40
drops of dong quai tincture 1 to 3 times daily, or 1 standard
00 gelatin capsule is recommended 3 times daily.
SUPPLEMENTAL USES
Menstrual disorders:
Today, dong quai is often recommended as a remedy for menstrual
Cramps, or dysmenorrhea, and PMS. It is also commonly recommended
for menopausal symptoms, including Hot Flushes. However, scientific
backing for the use of dong quai is weak; most are animal
studies, test-tube research, and uncontrolled human studies
(1-5). In a recent controlled study, dong quai was shown to
be ineffective in treating menopausal symptoms (6).
Herbal combinations:
It may be that dong quai is most effective when combined with
other herbs. Combinations of Dong Quai with Paeonia, and Dong
Quai with Bupleurum are often used to treat the following:
menopausal symptoms, menstrual Pain, fibrocystic breast disease,
PMS, abnormal foetal movements, and pelvic inflammatory disease.
However, no scientific evidence exists to verify the effectiveness
of the formulas on these conditions. A qualified Chinese herbalist
is best able to prescribe a formula to fit individual needs
(7, 8, 9).
SAFETY AND PRECAUTIONS
Aside from mild gastrointestinal
distress and occasional allergic reactions, dong quai appears
to be non-toxic. Certain substances found in dong quai may
increase sensitivity to the sun, but this effect has not been
documented in individuals who use the herb whole.
It is traditionally believed
that taking dong quai on its own (without other herbs) long-term
can damage the digestive tract as well as overall health.
Women in their first 3 months
of Pregnancy or with excessively heavy Menstruation should
avoid taking dong quai. Patients with acute respiratory infections
should also avoid taking dong quai.
Safety in young children,
nursing women, and patients with severe kidney or liver disease
has not been established.
INTERACTIONS AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS
Dong quai may interact with
alkaloids, dopamine receptor agonists, anorectic drugs (fenfluramine),
Ritodine HCl, quinidine, antidiabetics, Folic
Acid antagonists, some corticosteroids, antihypercholesterolemics,
anticoagulant drugs, some sedatives, and the analgesics nalbuphine
HCl and propoxyphene HCl.
Antidiabetic drugs may require
adjustment when used in conjunction with dong quai.
Caution should be exercised
when used in conjunction with CNS depressants or stimulants.
Avoid use with procarbazine antineoplastic agents.
Dong quai contains a small
amount of coumarin, which may affect the action of almost
any drug.
REFERENCES
1. Chang HM, et al.
Pharmacology and application of Chinese materia medica. Singapore:
World Scientific, 1983.
2. Igarashi M. Proceedings of the satellite symposium on Sino-Japanese
traditional medicine (Kampo). 16th World International Congress
on Pharmacology. Excerpta Medica, 1987: 141-143.
3. Bensky D and Gamble A. Chinese herbal medicine: Materia
medica. Seattle, WA: Eastland Press, 1986.
4. Hsu HY, et al. Oriental materia medica: A concise guide.
Long Beach, CA: Oriental Healing Arts Institute, 1986: 540-542.
5. Zhu D. Dong quai. Am J Chin Med 90(3-4): 117-125, 1987.
6. Hirata JD, et al. Does dong quai have estrogenic effects
in postmenopausal women? A double-blind placebo-controlled
trial. Fertil Steril 68(6): 981-986, 1997.
7. Chang HM, et al. Pharmacology and application of Chinese
materia medica. Singapore: World Scientific, 1983.
8. Igarashi M. Proceedings of the satellite symposium on Sino-Japanese
traditional medicine (Kampo). 16th World International Congress
on Pharmacology. Excerpta Medica, 1987: 141-143.
9. Bensky D and Baronet R. Chinese herbal medicine formulas
and strategies. Seattle, WA: Eastland Press, 1990.
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