Dong Quai for Menstrual Health

Research suggests that dong quai (Angelica sinensis) has a long history of traditional use for menstrual health concerns including dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and related gynecological conditions, and the available evidence — spanning narrative reviews, a meta-analysis of the herbal formula Danggui Shaoyao San showing favorable effects on primary dysmenorrhea compared to analgesics, a meta-analysis of TCM formulas for antipsychotic-induced amenorrhea reporting high effectiveness rates, and laboratory and animal studies identifying bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and antioxidant properties — generally points in a supportive direction. Studies indicate that key constituents such as ferulic acid, ligustilide, and polysaccharides may underlie some of these effects, and dong quai frequently appears as one of the most commonly cited herbs for menstrual disorders across multiple cultural traditions worldwide. However, the overall body of clinical evidence remains limited in rigor: most reviews note a shortage of well-designed randomized controlled trials, and dong quai is more often studied as part of multi-herb formulas than as a standalone treatment, making it difficult to isolate its specific contribution. Safety considerations also warrant attention, as research documents a potentially significant interaction with the blood-thinning medication warfarin, photosensitivity risk, and a general lack of standardized quality control across commercially available products.