Dong Quai
Dong quai is the root of Angelica sinensis, a plant of the carrot family that is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Also listed as Dang Gui, Korean Dang Gui, Cham-Dang-Gui, Angelica Gigas
Does dong quai alone relieve hot flashes?
In a 24-week randomized trial, 71 postmenopausal women received dong quai or placebo. The groups did not differ in hot flashes, overall menopause symptom scores, endometrial thickness or vaginal cell maturation. This is a genuine negative finding for the tested treatment. 1
Why do some studies sound more positive?
A preliminary 12-week trial in 55 postmenopausal women found fewer and less intense hot flashes with a combination of Angelica sinensis and chamomile than with placebo. The result is worth investigating, but it cannot identify dong quai’s separate contribution. 2
Is it a proven estrogen substitute?
The standalone trial found no estrogen-like response in the vaginal or endometrial measures it tested. That does not settle every possible biological action, but it does not support treating this preparation as a proven estrogen substitute. 1
Effects by health goal
Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.
Cardiovascular1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Women's Hormones2 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
Immune Support1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Organ Function1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Other effects1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.