Evidence supporting the use of: Dong quai root
For the body system: Muscles
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), primarily for supporting women's health—especially menstrual and reproductive health. Its traditional applications include alleviating menstrual cramps, regulating menstrual cycles, and supporting blood health. While dong quai is sometimes promoted in modern supplements for "muscle health" or "muscle support," there is little direct historical or scientific evidence supporting its use specifically for the muscular system. Any connection to muscle support in tradition is typically indirect, attributed to its reputed ability to "nourish the blood" and thereby possibly alleviate muscle fatigue or weakness as a secondary effect. In TCM, muscle weakness may be linked to deficiencies in blood or qi, for which dong quai is a classic remedy. However, there are no robust clinical studies validating direct benefits to muscle function, growth, or recovery. Most scientific research has focused on dong quai's effects on the reproductive or circulatory systems rather than skeletal muscle. Therefore, the justification for using dong quai root to support the muscles body system is largely traditional, with weak and indirect evidence.
Other ingredients that support Muscles
acetyl l-carnitineadenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
amylopectin
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
beet
beta-alanine
bovine
bovine liver
branched-chain amino acids
bromelain
caffeine
calcium
cherry
chloride
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
colostrum
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
d-alpha tocopherol
devil's claw
dong quai root
fish protein
forskohlii root
l-isoleucine
iron
kale
l-alanine
l-alanyl-l-glutamine
l-arginine
l-carnitine
l-carnosine
l-citrulline
l-glutamine
l-glycine
l-leucine
l-ornithine
l-proline
l-taurine
l-threonine
l-valine
magnesium
malic acid
maltodextrin
maltose
methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
milk
nicotinamide riboside
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
peppermint oil
phosphorus
phytocannabinoids
potassium
protein
quinoa
rhizome
sardines
black ginger
soybean
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spinach
spirulina
tongkat ali
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
water
watermelon
whey protein
white willow
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
suma
squawvine
sodium salt
solomon's seal
siler root
eucommia
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
guelder rose
polyphenols
trace minerals
wintergreen
camphor oil
menthol oil
wheat germ
wood betony
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
chickpea protein
brown rice protein
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
arnica
17 alpha methyl 17 beta hydroxy 5 alpha androst 2 ene
17a-di methyl-bol
11-Ketotestosterone
2, 17a-dimethyl-17b-hydroxy-5a-androstan-1-ene-3-one
2a, 17a-dimethyl-17b-hydroxy-5a-androstan-3-one
Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate
Animal Tissue
Antler
Arginine Creatine
Arginine nitrate
Arachidonic Acid
Arginine malate
Arginine aspartate
Avocado
Anserina
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
Acetylcholine
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Algal protein
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
Arginine alpha-ketoisocaproate
Arginine silicate
Animal protein
Blue Cohosh
Biopeptide
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Bicarbonate
Beef Protein
Black galingale
Beef
Beef liver
Bovine Protein
Black Gram
Black willow
Ba Ji Tian
Bee products
banana
BCAA
Chia seed
Casein
Cardarine
Chinese Mountain Ant
Carnosine
Citrate malate
Cyathula
Curcuminoid
Cramp Bark
Chuchuhuasi
Cyanotis Vaga
Coca
Coconut Water
Cetylated Fatty Acids
Creatine
Chicken
Curcuma
C-Phycocyanin
Cyanotis arachnoides
DL-Methionine
Deer Velvet
Date
D-Ribose
Dextrose
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Dipsacus
Dipeptide
Egg
Elk antler
Emu Oil
Ecdysteroids
Elthyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
Ecdysterone
Egg protein
Glycine
Isoleucine
Milk Protein
Phosphate Salt
Potash
Quinoa Protein
salt
Soy Protein
Other body systems supported by dong quai root
BloodCirculatory System
Estrogen
Female Reproductive System
Glandular System
Heart
Liver
Muscles
Ovaries
Reproductive System
Uterus
Products containing dong quai root
Nature's Sunshine 5-W
Nature's Sunshine Anti-Gas Formula (With Lobelia)
Nature's Sunshine Blood Stimulator TCM
Nature's Sunshine C-X
Nature's Sunshine Chinese TCM Positive Pack
Nature's Sunshine Chinese TCM Negative Pack
Nature's Sunshine CLT-X
Nature's Sunshine Dieter's Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Dong Quai
Nature's Sunshine FCS II (With Lobelia)
Nature's Sunshine Female Comfort
Nature's Sunshine Flash-Ease (Time Release)
Nature's Sunshine Glandular System
Nature's Sunshine Hepatic System
Nature's Sunshine IF-C
Nature's Sunshine IF-C TCM
Nature's Sunshine JP-X
Nature's Sunshine KB-C
Nature's Sunshine KB-C TCM Concentrate
Nature's Sunshine Liver Balance (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Lung Support (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Lung Support TCM
Nature's Sunshine Master Gland Formula®
Nature's Sunshine Mood Elevator (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Mood Elevator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Chi TCM
Nature's Sunshine Natural Changes
Nature's Sunshine Nervous Fatigue Formula (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Nervous Fatigue TCM
Nature's Sunshine PS II
Nature's Sunshine Respiratory System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Spleen Activator (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Spleen Activator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Tiao He Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Trigger Immune (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Trigger Immune TCM
Nature's Sunshine Urinary Maintenance
Nature's Sunshine Urinary System