Dong quai (Angelica sinensis)

Tier 3 — weak evidence · Menstrual · Menopause · Blood

Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) is a traditional Chinese root, sometimes called female ginseng. Cochrane found the evidence too weak to say it treats menopausal hot flashes. A later review is only modestly more positive for menstrual pain. It has real anticoagulant activity and makes skin more sensitive to sun. It can stimulate the uterus. Avoid in pregnancy and with warfarin or other blood thinners. A “low-dose” card is not a safer different herb: typical extracts are still about 500–1,500 mg.

Dose: 500–1,500 mg/day of root extract if you and a clinician decide to use it. Do not use it to tonify a pregnancy.