Quick Summary

Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb historically used for blood nourishment, promoting circulation, and pain relief. It is commonly applied in syndromes related to anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and gynecological conditions. Modern research suggests Dong Quai and its constituents may possess immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Clinical evidence primarily involves its use as part of multi-herb formulations in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), indicating possible benefits in diabetic infertility, menopausal symptoms, chronic fatigue, and chronic urticaria. However, large, high-quality randomized controlled trials are limited, and evidence certainty is generally low to moderate.

What is it

Dong Quai, also known by its Latin name Angelica sinensis, is a perennial herb native to China and East Asia. It has a long history in Traditional Chinese Medicine, where the root is most commonly used. It is sometimes referred to as “female ginseng” due to its traditional use for women’s health.

Traditional Uses

  • Blood nourishment and circulation promotion
  • Relief of pain, especially related to gynecological conditions
  • Treatment of anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis
  • Support for menstrual regulation and menopausal symptoms

Active Compounds

Key bioactive components of Dong Quai include polysaccharides, ferulic acid, and ligustilide. These compounds are believed to contribute to its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties.

Potential Benefits with Evidence Levels

  • Immunomodulatory effects: Preclinical and preliminary clinical evidence suggest that Dong Quai and its compounds may modulate immune activity by enhancing immune organ indices, immune cell proliferation and activation, and regulation of cytokine secretion.
  • Diabetic infertility: Preliminary clinical and mechanistic studies indicate Dong Quai-containing formulas might improve reproductive outcomes in diabetic infertility through immunomodulation and endocrine and inflammatory pathway regulation.
  • Menopausal syndrome and insomnia: Systematic reviews with low to moderate quality evidence report potential improvements in menopausal symptoms, sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and hormone levels with formulations containing Dong Quai (e.g., Xiaoyao San, Ding Kun Dan).
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome: Low-quality randomized trials suggest possible benefits of Dong Quai-containing formulas for fatigue, anxiety, depression, and reduced adverse events in chronic fatigue syndrome.
  • Chronic urticaria: Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials show potential symptom improvement and reduced recurrence and adverse reactions with Dong Quai-inclusive TCM treatments.
  • Diabetic foot (multi-herb foot baths): Meta-analysis of clinical trials indicates herbal foot baths containing Dong Quai may improve symptoms, vascular and nerve function without increasing adverse events in diabetic foot patients (Wagner grade 0 or 1).
  • Lumbar disc herniation: RCTs of compound formulas including Dong Quai combined with manipulation indicate greater pain relief and functional improvement compared to placebo.
  • Vascular dementia (animal studies): Preclinical studies with meta-analysis suggest cognitive and behavioral improvements, likely via antioxidative effects and enhanced cerebral blood flow.
  • Atopic dermatitis (animal studies): Systematic reviews in animal models show amelioration of dermatitis severity and inflammation but lack evidence for epidermal barrier repair.
  • Various chronic conditions in TCM formulas: Dong Quai is frequently a core herb in multi-herb formulations targeting polycystic ovary syndrome, cancer-related fatigue, insomnia, cardiovascular diseases, and post-stroke cognitive impairment, working through proposed multi-target mechanisms.

Side Effects

Dong Quai is generally considered safe in traditional use and clinical trials involving TCM formulations. No severe adverse effects have been specifically attributed to Dong Quai. Mild and infrequent side effects may occur, mostly reported as part of multi-herb formulas. However, safety data are limited by inconsistent or low-quality adverse event reporting.

Drug Interactions

There is limited clinical evidence regarding herb-drug interactions with Dong Quai specifically. General caution is advised because interactions have been observed with other Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs and conventional drugs. More rigorous pharmacokinetic and clinical studies are needed to clarify interaction profiles.

Who Should Avoid It

While no explicit contraindications are identified in current literature, traditional guidance recommends caution or avoidance in:

  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women due to insufficient safety data
  • Individuals with bleeding disorders or those taking blood-thinning medications

Consultation with a healthcare professional is advised before use, especially in these populations.

Evidence Limitations

Most studies involve combination therapies or multi-herb formulations including Dong Quai, limiting isolated assessment of its effects. Many clinical trials have small sample sizes, short duration, and variable methodological quality, often rated low to moderate. Adverse event reporting is irregular. Mechanistic insights mainly come from preliminary or preclinical research. Larger, well-designed randomized controlled trials focusing on isolated Dong Quai or standardized extracts are necessary to confirm efficacy and safety.

References

Last Reviewed

2026

Informational Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional before using any herbal products, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have existing health conditions, or are taking medications.