BENEFITS AND SIDE EFFECTS OF DONG QUAI

Potential Side Effects of Dong Quai

The common side effect of dong quai is the increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight.
User should avoid direct exposure to the sun or other sources of UV light.

Scientists from Hong Kong Chinese University found that water extracts of dong quai
stimulated the growth of estrogen receptor-positive (MCF-7) breast cancer cells and
augmented the estrogen receptor-negative (BT-20) breast cancer cell proliferation. [1]
Users at risk of breast cancer must consult their doctors before using any dong quai
extracts or related products.

Dong Quai is a supplement for ladies. In Singapore, a man was found to develop
gynaecomastia after ingestion of "Dong Quai" pills. The effect might be related to the
higher levels of phytoestrogen in the pills. [2]

NIH has the following comments on phytoestrogens:

Phytoestrogens may serve as chemopreventive agents while at the same time being
capable of promoting growth in estrogen receptor positive cancer cell lines.
Furthermore, they may exert their estrogenic influence through receptor-dependent
and/or receptor-independent mechanisms. These findings have led to speculation
that phytoestrogen intake might be ill advised for patients at an increased risk for
hormone-dependent cancers, cancer patients, or cancer survivors. [3]

What is Dong Quai? What is its health benefits?

Dong Quai [also known as Angelica polymorpha, tang-kuei, dang-gui, and Chinese
angelica] is a member the celery family of plants. Dong Quai produces white flowers in
summers, and it can be found moist areas. The root of the Dong Quai plant has been
used in herbal medicine.

Dong Quai is often included in herbal combinations to provide benefits for abnormal
menstruation, including suppressed menstrual flow, dysmenorrhea (painful
menstruation), and uterine bleeding. [6] However it may not have any benefits on
menopause, or related symptoms such as hot flashes. Dong quai does not produce
estrogen-like responses in endometrial thickness or in vaginal maturation and was no
more helpful than placebo in relieving menopausal symptoms. [5] Traditional Chinese
medicine employs dong quai in treating both men and women with high blood
pressure or related conditions. [4]

DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER THE CONTENT OF THIS ARTICLE TO OTHER WEBSITES OR
PUBLICATIONS WITHOUT PERMISSION. ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2006 ZHION. THIS ARTICLE CAN
BE USED ONLY AS REFERENCE. YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR FOR ANY
QUESTIONS OR USING ANY SUPPLEMENTS.

REFERENCE: [1] Lau CB et al Use of dong quai (Angelica sinensis) to treat peri- or postmenopausal
symptoms in women with breast cancer: is it appropriate?, Menopause. 2005 Nov-Dec;12(6):734-40.
Epub 2005 Nov 8. [2] Goh SY et al, Gynaecomastia and the herbal tonic "Dong Quai". Singapore
Med J. 2001 Mar;42(3):115-6. [3] Piersen CE Phytoestrogens in botanical dietary supplements:
implications for cancer. Integr Cancer Ther. 2003 Jun;2(2):120-38. 4. Foster S, Yue CX. Herbal
Emissaries. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1992, 65Â–72. 5. Hirata JD, Swiersz LM, Zell B, et al.
Does dong quai have estrogenic effects in postmenopausal women? A double-blind, placebo-
controlled trial. Fertil Steril 1997;68:981Â–6. 6. Qi-bing M, Jing-yi T, Bo C. Advance in the
pharmacological studies of radix Angelica sinensis (Oliv) Diels (Chinese danggui). Chin Med J 1991;
104:776Â–81.

Side Effects of Dong
Quai (Angelica sinensis)

THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU
SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR. ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2008 zhion. DO NOT
COPY NOR TRANSFER THE CONTENT TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR OTHER TYPES OF
PUBLICATIONS.