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, 65–72. 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;68:981–6. 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;
104:776–81.
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, 65–72. 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;68:981–6. 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;
104:776–81.
Side Effects of Dong
Quai (Angelica sinensis)
Quai (Angelica sinensis)
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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.
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.