| Dong
quai (angelica)
Dong quai has been used in Asia for thousands of years as a tonic for the female reproductive system. In fact, it ranks just below ginseng as the most popular herb in China and Japan, although its effectiveness has yet to be substantiated by conventional Western standards.
Dong quai is derived from the gnarled root of the Chinese perennial Angelica sinensis and the root of the native Japanese A. acutiloba. Both species have eight-foot hollow stems graced by umbrella-shaped clusters of white flowers. When in bloom, the blossoms resemble Queen's Anne lace, a botanical cousin. Common names for the herb include angelica, Chinese angelica, dang gui and tang kuie. Interestingly, European and American angelica species (A. archangelica and A. atropurpurea) are used medicinally as well, but for a different constellation of symptoms altogether, none of them gynecological.
Dong quai helps to promote uterine health and regulate the menstrual cycle. Some researchers contend that active ingredients called coumarins are responsible for its effectiveness. Coumarins dilate blood vessels, stimulating the central nervous system and increasing blood flow throughout the body. They may also relax the smooth muscles of the uterus, which would help to explain the herb's traditional use for menstrual cramps.
Other experts claim that dong quai's powers should be attributed to its phytoestrogens, which are weaker than the estrogens produced by the body but do manage to bind to estrogen sites on human cells. Potentially negative effects of a women's own estrogens--such as breast cancer risk--may be offset in this way. More long-term studies of dong quai are needed, however, to fully assess how it affects the body, a task made all the more challenging because dong quai tends to appear in combination products. It's commonly added to herbal decongestant mixes for sinus problems, for example, and to special "women's formulas" for PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and menstrual cramping.
Specifically, dong quai may help to:
Relieve PMS and menstrual irregularities. Dong quai's reputation as a female tonic rests largely with its ability to reduce the symptoms of PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and regulate the menstrual cycle. Countless women have used it to treat amenorrhea (irregular or absent periods) and menorrrhagia (heavy bleeding or prolonged periods). The herb's long-standing popularity for reducing menstrual cramps has been ascribed to its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic actions.
Reduce the pain of endometriosis. Dong quai works well in combination with chasteberry to restore the hormonal imbalances that can cause the often severe pain of this disorder. When taken together, the herbs can also relax the uterine muscle.
Minimize menopausal symptoms. In combination with herbs such as black cohosh, chasteberry, and Siberian ginseng, dong quai appears to be useful for controlling hot flashes and reducing vaginal dryness. The herb's phytoestrogens may help by compensating for menopause-related drops in natural estrogen levels. However, in recent studies involving postmenopausal women, dong quai proved to be no more effective than a placebo in relieving such common menopausal symptoms as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. In one study, the herb and the placebo both reduced the frequency of hot flashes by 25% to 30%. This type of disappointing result may simply highlight the importance of taking dong quai in combination with other herbs.
Nourish body fluids, counter fatigue, and lower blood pressure. As a rich source of vitamin B12, dong quai may play a role in stimulating red blood cell production. It may therefore indirectly boost energy and lessen fatigue by increasing the number of red blood cells transporting oxygen throughout the body. When used in conjunction with other herbs, dong quai also mildly dilates blood vessels, facilitating the heart's pumping ability and possibly lowering blood pressure as a result. Chinese doctors have long prescribed the herb for high blood pressure and circulatory problems.
tincture tablet softgel liquid dried herb/tea capsule
Special tip:
--When buying the pill or liquid form of dong quai, look for extracts standardized that contain 0.8% to 1.1% liguistilide.
For PMS, menstrual cramps, menstrual irregularities, and endometriosis: Take 600 mg daily, either in the form of 200 mg pills three times a day, or 30 drops (1.5 ml) of fluid extract three times a day.
For menopausal discomforts: Take 600 mg daily in the form of 200 mg pills three times a day.
Be sure to check out our Dosage Recommendations Chart for Dong Quai, which lists therapeutic dosages for specific ailments at a glance.
Women taking dong quai for menstrual complaints may want to consider using products that combine dong quai with other menstrual-regulating herbs, such as Siberian ginseng, licorice, and chasteberry. When attempting to regulate a menstrual period, try taking this kind of a mixture for three months and then taking a break for a month before starting again.
When treating PMS symptoms, confine your use of dong quai to the days you're not menstruating. However, when treating menstrual cramps only (and not PMS symptoms), start taking dong quai two or three days before you expect your period and continue until your period is over.
When treating hot flashes, you'll have to take dong quai daily for at least two months before noticing any changes.
If you take an anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medication or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (such as ibuprofen), check with your doctor before trying dong quai.
Dong quai may have a mild laxative effect.
Menstrual bleeding may increase when taking dong quai.
Stop taking dong quai if a skin rash or photosensivity develops.
Don't take dong quai if you're pregnant or nursing.
Limit your exposure to the sun when taking dong quai, especially if you are fair-skinned; it contains substances called psoralens that can react with sunlight to cause a rash or severe sunburn.
If you have diarrhea, check with your doctor before taking dong quai.
|
Ailments
|
Dosage
|
| Endometriosis |
200 mg of standardized extract or 1/2 tsp. liquid extract 3 times a day
|
| Menopause |
400-800 mg a day of standardized extract in 2-3 divided doses, or 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. liquid extract 3 times a day
|
| Perimenopause |
400-800 mg a day of standardized extract in 2-3 divided doses; or 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. liquid extract 3 times a day
|
| PMS |
200 mg 3 times a day or 20 drops liquid extract twice a day
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home -
About Us -
Contact Us-
Privacy |
|
©2008 HealtheSupplements.com
We accept Visa and MasterCard. We also
accept money orders and checks upon request.
No
claims found on our web pages or in print have been evaluated by the Food
and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure, or prevent any disease. Information on this site is provided for
informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice
provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. You should
consult with a health care professional before starting any diet, exercise
or supplement program.
www.healthesupplements.com and its associates are not
responsible for product claims made by manufacturers on this website. Our
objective is to continuously update our website with accurate product
information. However,
www.healthesupplements.com is not responsible for
typographical errors or product formulation changes. For absolute accuracy,
please consult the products actual label before use. If you discover any
inconsistencies on our website, please contact us. Prices and information on
these pages are subject to change without notice.
The supplements, product descriptions, and
information on this website and received from our customer service is
provided as a service to you, our customer.
Our web site/customer service cannot, and
does not, contain information about all medical conditions. It may not
contain all information that is applicable to your personal
circumstances. The content is not intended for diagnosis and should not
be used as substitute for consultation with your physician. Any and all
recommendations or claims implied by the website, manufacturers, or
customer service representatives are not guaranteed and we do not take
responsibility for the results of your supplementation decisions.
As partial consideration for your access to
our website, customer service and use of its content, your agree that
www.healthesupplements.com
is not liable to you in any manner whatsoever for decisions you may make
or your actions or nonactions in reliance upon the content. You also
agree that the aggregate liability of
www.healthesupplements.com
arising from or related to your use and access, regardless of the form
of action or claim (for example, contract, warranty, tort, negligence,
strict liability, professional malpractice, fraud, infringement or other
bases for claims), is limited to the purchase price of any items you
purchased from
www.healthesupplements.com
in the applicable transaction.
www.HealtheSupplements.com
CustomerService@HealtheSupplements.com
|
|
|
