# Dong quai

Source: https://onco.cc/technologies/dong-quai/  
OnCo record `dong-quai` (Technology). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

Dong quai is a Chinese herb promoted as a 'woman's herb' for menstrual and menopausal symptoms. Trials for menopausal symptoms are inconclusive and it did not help hot flushes in men. It acted like oestrogen in laboratory studies and promoted the growth of hormone-sensitive breast tumours in mice, and it can add to the effect of blood thinners.

## Summary

Dong quai root is used in traditional Chinese medicine, usually in formulas, and is sold as a supplement for menstrual and menopausal complaints. Memorial Sloan Kettering's About Herbs entry describes findings on menopausal symptoms as inconclusive across many studies, and reports that dong quai was ineffective against hot flashes in men. A formula containing dong quai prevented radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients in one study, and one epidemiological analysis associated dong quai use with lower subsequent endometrial cancer in breast cancer survivors; neither establishes benefit. The concern is hormonal: dong quai showed oestrogenic activity in vitro, stimulated MCF-7 breast cancer cells and promoted oestrogen receptor-positive breast tumour growth in mice, and MSK advises people with hormone-sensitive cancers to consult their physicians. It may add to anticoagulant effects (raised PT and INR are listed), was part of a three-herb product linked to a subarachnoid haemorrhage, can induce CYP3A4 with prolonged use, and causes photosensitivity and, in case reports, gynaecomastia and high blood pressure. It should be avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

## Fields

- Kind: Technology
- Status: phase-2
- Last checked: 2026-11-04
- Also known as: Angelica sinensis; Female ginseng; Dang gui
- Tags: complementary; supportive-care; evidence:insufficient
- Principle: Contains ferulic acid, ligustilide and coumarins with antiplatelet and phytoestrogenic activity; prolonged use activates the pregnane X receptor and induces CYP3A4.
- Strengths: Long traditional use; one positive study of a formula for radiation dermatitis
- Limitations: Inconclusive for menopausal symptoms; ineffective for hot flushes in men; Oestrogenic; promoted hormone-sensitive breast tumours in mice; Bleeding and enzyme-induction interactions

## Sources

- MSK About Herbs: Dong quai (page last updated 29 July 2026): https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/dong-quai

## Connected records

- technologies: [Acupuncture for hot flushes on endocrine therapy](https://onco.cc/technologies/acupuncture-hot-flushes/), [Dietary supplements during cancer treatment: interactions and harms](https://onco.cc/technologies/dietary-supplements-treatment-interactions/), [Evening primrose oil](https://onco.cc/technologies/evening-primrose-oil/), [Evidence-based integrative oncology](https://onco.cc/technologies/integrative-oncology/), [Red clover isoflavones](https://onco.cc/technologies/red-clover-isoflavones/), [Traditional Chinese herbal medicine alongside treatment](https://onco.cc/technologies/traditional-chinese-herbal-medicine/)
- cancers: [HR-positive / HER2-negative breast cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/breast-hr-positive/)
- fronts: [Hormonal Therapy](https://onco.cc/fronts/hormonal/), [Supportive Care & Survivorship](https://onco.cc/fronts/supportive-care/)
- terms: [Radiation dermatitis (skin reaction)](https://onco.cc/terms/radiation-dermatitis/)
- bottlenecks: [Toxicity and quality of life are undervalued](https://onco.cc/bottlenecks/b-toxicity-qol/)

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