Evidence supporting the use of: Dong quai root
For the health condition: PMS Type A

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Synopsis

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

Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), particularly for women’s health issues such as menstrual disorders, including symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS Type A is characterized mainly by anxiety, irritability, and mood swings, symptoms believed in TCM to be related to disturbances in the flow of "qi" and blood, especially in the liver and spleen meridians. Dong quai is often referred to as "female ginseng" and is traditionally used as a blood tonic and to relieve menstrual discomfort, regulate menstrual cycles, and ease mood changes. However, scientific studies investigating dong quai for PMS—specifically PMS Type A—are limited and generally of low quality. While some research has explored dong quai for menopausal symptoms or general menstrual irregularities, robust, placebo-controlled trials focusing on PMS are lacking. The limited evidence available does not clearly demonstrate efficacy for PMS Type A symptoms such as anxiety or irritability. Most support for its use in this context is thus based on traditional practices and anecdotal reports rather than rigorous scientific validation. As such, while dong quai continues to be used in herbal formulas for PMS within traditional medicine, its efficacy for PMS Type A remains unproven by modern clinical research.

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