Dong Quai, Chinese Angelica : Dosing and Safety

by MedlinePlus

(Page 2 of 3)

Dosing

The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use, or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.

Standardization

There are no standard or well-studied doses of Dong Quai, and many different doses are used traditionally. Some products standardize Dong Quai to 0.8-1.1% ligustilide per dose, or to 0.5 milligrams per kilogram of ferulic acid. One gram of 100% Dong Quai extract has been reported to be equivalent to approximately 4 grams of raw Dong Quai root. Safety and effectiveness are not established for any dose.

In Asia, Dong Quai is primarily used medicinally, while in the United States and Europe it is more common as a flavoring agent in food products (liqueurs, vermouths, ice cream, candy, gelatins, puddings). A related species, Angelica acutiloba , appears to have similar properties to Dong Quai in laboratory experiments.

Adults (18 years and older)

Root preparations:

Combination preparations: Dong Quai is used in numerous herbal combinations, and various doses have been used traditionally and in Chinese research. Because of this variation and lack of high-quality studies, no specific recommendations can be made. Safety and effectiveness are not established for most herbal combinations, and the amounts of Dong Quai present from batch to batch may vary.

Powdered/dried root/root slices: 1 to 5 grams of root taken by mouth 3 times daily has been used traditionally, although more common doses range from 1 to 2 grams taken 3 times daily. Weight-based dosing as been proposed, although there is no scientific evidence to support such dosing.

Fluid extract/tincture: 3 to 8 milliliters of a fluid extract(1:2) or 10 to 40 drops of tincture (1:5 in 50-70% alcohol) taken by mouth three times daily have been used.

Decoction:1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of cut root in 1 cup hot water, boiled and simmered for 2 to 5 minutes, then removed from heat and left to stand for 5 to 10 minutes. 1 to 3 cups have been consumed by mouth daily.

Intravenous: Safety of intravenous use is not established, although it has been reported in research.

Topical (on the skin):Ten to 15 drops of diluted essential oil has been used for skin irritation (anecdotal).

Leaf preparations (less common than root preparations): Dried leaf: 2 to 5 grams taken by mouth three times daily have been used.

Leaf tincture (1:5 in 45% alcohol): 2 to 5 milliliters taken three times daily have been used.

Leaf fluid extract (1:1): 0.5 to 2 milliliters taken 3 times daily have been used.

Children (younger than 18 years):

There is not enough scientific data to recommend Dong Quai for use in children, and it is not recommended due to potential side effects.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Allergies

People with known allergy/hypersensitivity to Angelica radix or members of the Aplaceae / Umbelliferae family (anise, caraway, carrot, celery, dill, parsley) should avoid Dong Quai. Skin rash has been reported with the use of Dong Quai, although it is not clear if this was an allergic response. An asthma response has occurred after breathing in Dong Quai powder.

Side Effects and Warnings

Although Dong Quai is accepted as being safe as a food additive in the United States and Europe, its safety in medicinal doses is not known. There are no reliable long-term studies of side effects. Most precautions are based on theory, laboratory research, tradition, or isolated case reports.

Components of Dong Quai may increase the risk of bleeding due to anticoagulant and anti-platelet effects, although there are no reliable reports of clinically significant bleeding in humans. Caution is advised in patients with bleeding disorders or taking drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding. Dosing adjustments may be necessary. Discontinue use prior to surgical or major dental or procedures.

It remains unclear if Dong Quai has the same effects on the body as estrogens, blocks the activity of estrogens, or has no significant hormonal effects. Results of animal studies are conflicting, and one human trial found no short-term estrogen-like effects on the body (including no hormonal changes or increases in uterus wall thickness after 24-weeks of treatment). It remains unclear if Dong Quai is safe in individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, or endometriosis. It is not known if Dong Quai possesses the beneficial effects that estrogen is believed to have on bone mass, or the potential harmful effects such as increased risk of stroke or hormone-sensitive cancers.

Increased sun sensitivity with a risk of severe skin reactions (photosensitivity) may occur due to chemicals in Dong Quai (furocoumarins, psoralen and bergapten). Prolonged exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light should be avoided while taking Dong Quai. It is reported that steam-distilled oils of the root and seed may not possess the phototoxic chemicals.

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