|
Herbs & Supplements
Angelica sinensis
Scientific Name: Dong Quai
Other Names: Angelica polymorpha, Chinese Angelica, Danggui, Tang-Kuei
Who is this for?
Uses
Dong quai is used mainly in combination with other herbals to relieve menstrual cramps, regulate menstrual periods, and lessen menopausal symptoms. Although it has been used for centuries in China to treat such conditions and other disorders of the female reproductive tract, results of controlled human studies of dong quai's effectiveness are not conclusive. It does contain some antispasmodic components that may help to reduce cramping. However, in at least one small, clinical trial of postmenopausal women, dong quai was no more effective than placebo (inactive sugar pills) for relieving hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and other symptoms of menopause. Other studies--mainly conducted in oriental countries and mostly using laboratory animals--have found varying levels of estrogenic effects. Like herbals such as black cohosh and red clover, dong quai was long believed to contain chemicals shaped like the female hormone, estrogen. That theory has been challenged by results of recent studies, however. While dong quai may have some estrogen-like effects, much more study is needed to determine what causes those effects and to prove or disprove its traditional uses.
In traditional Chinese medicine, dong quai is often included in combination herbal products, which are used to treat allergies, arthritis, asthma, or high blood pressure. Animal studies of dong quai have shown it has a slight ability to increase immune system function by activating certain immune cells and deactivating others. Therefore, it may help to relieve allergy symptoms. In addition, laboratory and animal studies have shown that dong quai has mild anti-inflammatory properties, which may make it useful in treating arthritis, asthma, and other inflammatory conditions. It has also been used to treat lung tissue that has been injured by radiation treatments for cancer due to its anti-inflammatory effects. One of the chemicals in a related plant has been shown to promote relaxation of blood vessels, which may help to reduce blood pressure. However, no clinical evidence supports the use of dong quai for blood pressure control. More research is necessary before dong quai can be recommended for any of its traditional uses.
|
Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.
This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.
|
|
Who is this for? 
