Herb
Dong Quai
A traditional Chinese herb used to support women's hormonal balance and nerve comfort.
⤢📊 How it ranks (our editor score) — 60/100Tap to see the breakdown
🌱 What it is
Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) is a root long used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, often called 'female ginseng,' traditionally taken to support hormonal balance and nerve comfort.
📜 Where it comes from
Dong quai has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over a thousand years, prized as a root for nourishing the blood and supporting women through the menstrual cycle and after childbirth, earning it the nickname female ginseng. It was traditionally combined with other roots in classic formulas passed down through generations of Chinese herbal practice. Western herbalists began incorporating it into women's health preparations as interest in Chinese medicine grew in the twentieth century.
✨ Why it's good for you
- Traditional support for hormonal balance
- May support nerve comfort
- Long history of use in Chinese herbal medicine
🥄 How to use it
Take as a standardized tinctureA concentrated herbal extract made with alcohol. How to make a tincture →, capsuleDried, powdered herb packed into a swallowable shell for a measured dose. How to make a capsule →, or teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea → as directed on the product label, typically for a few weeks at a time.
How much: As directed on the product label; commonly 3-4 g dried root or 1 tsp tinctureA concentrated herbal extract made with alcohol. How to make a tincture →, up to twice daily.
Why it works: Dong quai is traditionally thought to support healthy circulation and nerve tone, which is why it has been used for both cycle-related discomfort and nerve-related pain like sciatica.
⚠️ Cautions
- Avoid in pregnancy — dong quai may stimulate the uterus. Avoid if you have a hormone-sensitive cancer (such as breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer), since dong quai has estrogen-like effects.
- Can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity).
- May thin the blood — avoid with blood-thinning medication or before surgery.
- Not a substitute for medical evaluation of unexplained nerve pain like sciatica.
📚 Learn more
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🩺 The conventional view
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📚 Resource confidence
Based on mentions in health references
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