Evidence supporting the use of: Dong quai root
For the health condition: Menstruation (scant)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) is a root commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to address menstrual disorders, including scant menstruation (hypomenorrhea). In TCM, dong quai is often referred to as the "female ginseng" and is believed to nourish and invigorate the blood, regulate the menstrual cycle, and alleviate menstrual pain. Its use for scant menstruation is based on the concept that insufficient menstrual flow may be due to "blood deficiency" or "blood stasis," and dong quai is thought to replenish and circulate blood, thereby promoting a healthier menstrual flow.

Historically, dong quai has been prescribed both as a single herb and in combination with other herbs, such as in the popular formula Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction). While there are a few laboratory and animal studies suggesting that dong quai contains phytoestrogens and may have effects on uterine muscles and blood flow, robust clinical studies in humans are limited. The majority of evidence for its use in treating scant menstruation remains anecdotal and rooted in centuries of traditional practice rather than modern scientific validation. Therefore, while dong quai’s use for this purpose is well established in tradition, high-quality clinical evidence is lacking, and the overall strength of evidence is moderate at best.

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