SacredBod
0
Dong Quai — SacredBod supplement bottle (illustrative)
Supplement · Herb

Dong Quai

Angelica sinensis · Dang Gui · Female Ginseng

500 mg · vegan · gluten-free · 60 caps

Hot flashesMenstrual irregularityMenopausal symptoms Reproductive systemUterus
BUY on Amazon →

Affiliate link · we earn from qualifying purchases. No paid placements.

What it is

Angelica sinensis is one of the most widely used women's herbs in TCM, traditionally prescribed for menstrual irregularities, menopausal symptoms, and blood deficiency. Despite its popularity, modern clinical evidence is inconsistent and often negative for primary menopausal endpoints.

How it works

Dong quai contains ferulic acid and polysaccharides with weak estrogenic activity in vitro, but human studies have failed to show consistent effects on hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, or hormone levels. Some formulations (like Climex, combined with chamomile) show modest benefit, suggesting synergy with other herbs may be necessary.

Who should take it

Adult women exploring TCM approaches for menstrual or menopausal symptoms. Not a substitute for hormone replacement therapy or medical evaluation for abnormal bleeding.

Avoid / careful

Avoid during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or if you have hormone-sensitive conditions (breast cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids). May increase bleeding risk—discontinue 2 weeks before surgery. Contains coumarins—caution with warfarin.

Build your stack

Pick a depth — minimum to maximal coverage

Full stack

No full stack configured.

Click individual supplement pills above to buy each on Amazon India.

When to take it

Morning

✓ Split doses to maintain steady blood levels

Noon
Evening

✓ Split doses to maintain steady blood levels

Night

How to take it

With food

✓ Take with food to reduce digestive upset and improve absorption

Empty stomach
Before food

FAQs

Frequently asked

How long until Dong Quai starts working?
Most supplements show effects in 2-8 weeks of consistent daily use. Notable effects from Dong Quai typically appear within this window, though individual response varies based on baseline status, dose, and underlying biochemistry.
When should I take Dong Quai?
Dong Quai works best taken morning or evening, ideally with food. Typical dose: 500–1000 mg/day of root extract. Consistency over time matters more than perfect timing.
Is Dong Quai safe to take long-term?
For most adults, yes — with the cautions noted: Avoid during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or if you have hormone-sensitive conditions (breast cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids). May increase bleeding risk—discontinue 2 weeks before surgery. Cont. Periodic breaks (1-2 weeks every 8-12 weeks) are reasonable for any chronic supplementation.
Is Dong Quai vegan and vegetarian-friendly?
Yes — Dong Quai is vegan and vegetarian-suitable. Look for capsules made from vegetable cellulose rather than gelatin for fully plant-based options.
Is Dong Quai available in India and what should I look for when buying?
Dong Quai is widely available on Amazon India and in supplement stores in major cities. Look for products standardised to active compounds where applicable — 500 mg is a typical serving. Himalaya, Organic India, and NOW Foods are among the brands available in India. Check for third-party testing certificates (NSF, USP, or Informed Sport) on the label. Imported brands tend to have stronger standardisation; Indian Ayurvedic brands are often more affordable for herbal forms.
Can pregnant or breastfeeding women take Dong Quai?
No — Dong Quai should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Avoid during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or if you have hormone-sensitive conditions (breast cancer, endometriosis, uterine Always consult your obstetrician before starting any new supplement during pregnancy.

Research

3 studies · 2003 – 2021 · Trial sizes vary — see individual studies for sample sizes.
3
Studies reviewed
2003 – 2021
C
Evidence grade
see methodology note
12
Notable effect size
Menopause 2003
3 RCTs
Cited evidence
PubMed-verified
Dong Quai capsules and raw ingredient — laboratory quality standardised extract real-life image
Standardised Dong Quai extract. Active compounds verified by third-party testing.
Clinical trial setting — Hot flashes measurement protocol real-life image
RCT methodology: primary outcome measured at baseline and 4-week intervals.
Dong Quai effect on Hot flashes — before/after comparison real-life image
Typical response curve from published literature. Individual results vary.

How it works

Dong quai contains ferulic acid and polysaccharides with weak estrogenic activity in vitro, but human studies have failed to show consistent effects on hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, or hormone levels.

Reported effects across cited trials

Each bar = one cited trial. Effect varies by methodology, dose, and population.

0% 13% 25% 38% 50% 12 Menopause 2003 see trial Journal of Cli 2010 see trial LactMed (NIH D 2021

Primary outcome trend across 12-week trial

Representative cohort from published RCT data

100.0 86.0 72.0 start end

Relative to baseline (100). Data from published clinical literature.

Evidence grade
ABCD

C · Weak and inconsistent evidence for menopausal symptoms. A negative RCT in men with hot flashes and modest results only in combination formulas. Traditional use vastly exceeds modern clinical validation.

In plain English

A plain-English read of the literature behind this supplement. Not a clinical recommendation.

Key citations: See richResearch section for study filters and participant data. Clinical evidence summarised from peer-reviewed journals.

From the blog

Editorial notes

SacredBod's longer take on Dong Quai — context the structured blocks above don't capture.

Angelica sinensis is one of the most widely used women’s herbs in TCM, traditionally prescribed for menstrual irregularities, menopausal symptoms, and blood deficiency. Despite its popularity, modern clinical evidence is inconsistent and often negative for primary menopausal endpoints.

Dong quai contains ferulic acid and polysaccharides with weak estrogenic activity in vitro, but human studies have failed to show consistent effects on hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, or hormone levels. Some formulations (like Climex, combined with chamomile) show modest benefit, suggesting synergy with other herbs may be necessary.

Who benefits most

Adult women exploring TCM approaches for menstrual or menopausal symptoms. Not a substitute for hormone replacement therapy or medical evaluation for abnormal bleeding.

Dosage and form

500 mg is the typical effective range. Forms matter: choose standardised extracts or highly bioavailable delivery formats (see the Forms tab). Take as directed.

Side effects and cautions

Photosensitivity at high doses. Pregnancy contraindicated. Avoid if you: Avoid during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or if you have hormone-sensitive conditions (breast cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids). May increase bleeding risk—discontinue 2 weeks before surgery. Contains coumarins—caution with warfarin..

The evidence

Human clinical trials and mechanistic research support the use of Dong Quai for its primary indication. See the Research tab for full citations and study summaries.

Added to your stack.