Dong Quai

Traditional Chinese women's herb supporting menstrual health, circulation, and hormonal balance with gentle regulating properties

Scientific nameAngelica sinensis FormulaVarious coumarins and ferulic acid Molecular weightVariable natural compounds g/mol CASVarious natural compounds

60 absorption score

6 safety / 10

35 USD per month

5 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level C

Dong Quai with:

75 out of 100

Works better together Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.

Check it against your whole stack →

What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Menstrual support and cycle regulation

Traditional support for menstrual health and cycle regularity

Compounds may help regulate uterine contractions and blood flow Evidence C-grade 2-4 cycles (8-16 weeks)

Circulation and blood building

Traditional blood tonic supporting healthy circulation

Ferulic acid and other compounds support cardiovascular function Evidence C-grade 6-12 weeks

Menopausal symptom relief

Traditional support for menopausal transition symptoms

May provide mild hormonal balancing effects Evidence C-grade 8-16 weeks

PMS and cramping relief

Traditional relief from menstrual cramps and PMS symptoms

May help relax uterine muscles and reduce inflammation Evidence C-grade 1-3 cycles

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support

Provides antioxidant protection and anti-inflammatory benefits

Ferulic acid and coumarins provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects Evidence B-grade 4-8 weeks

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Melatonin Sleep support & circadian rhythm 0.5-3mg A 50% Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) Heart health & cellular energy 100-200mg A 10% Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) Heart & brain health 1-2g EPA/DHA A 85% Psyllium Husk Digestive health & cholesterol support 5-15g A 95% Boron - Essential Trace Mineral for Bone and Hormone Health Bone health & hormone support 3-10mg daily B 85% Calcium Citrate Superior absorption bone & heart health 500-1200 mg A 45%

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine

Dong Quai + Vitamin D3 May reduce circulation benefits Needs attention 63

Dong Quai + Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) May reduce circulation benefits Needs attention 63

Dong Quai + Caffeine No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Dong Quai + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Dong Quai + Calcium Carbonate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Dong Quai + Whey Protein No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Dong Quai + Lactase No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Dong Quai + Bovine Collagen No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Dong Quai + DHA No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Dong Quai + Turmeric No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Dong Quai + Iron Sulfate Enhanced blood building and circulation support Works better together 75

Dong Quai + Ginkgo Biloba Comprehensive circulation and blood flow support Works better together 75

Dosage

With meals

Daily520-1040mg

Menstrual support520-1040mg daily

Circulation building520-1040mg daily

Menopause support520-1040mg daily

General wellness520mg daily

Before you take it

Pregnancyavoid

VeganYes

When to expect it

First Effects4-8 weeks for circulation and initial menstrual benefits

Peak Benefits3-6 months for sustained hormonal support and cycle regulation

Deficiency DevelopmentNot applicable - herbal supplement

Toxicity OnsetRare, mainly blood thinning effects

How to measure it

$100-200

MarkerINR/PT if on blood thinners, hemoglobin, circulation markers

OptimalNormal clotting parameters, stable hemoglobin

Deficient belowNot applicable for herbal supplement

FrequencyEvery 3-6 months, especially if on blood thinning medications

What people actually reported to the FDA

CAERS, 7 reports naming it as the suspect

Most reported effects

Dyspnoea 2

Breast cancer 1

Carcinoid tumour 1

Chest pain 1

Cough 1

Named as the suspect 7 reports of 11 that mention it at all

Serious outcome 92% hospitalisation, emergency room or worse

Hospitalization5

Other Serious or Important Medical Event3

Disability2

Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →

What actually reaches you

The label counts the carrier, your body does not

Absorption High 60 of 100 · absorbs well relative to other forms

Delivered daily 468 mg

Cost per 100 mg delivered $0.25 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage

Works better with

3 documented

Iron

Enhanced blood building and circulation support

Iron supports hemoglobin while dong quai supports circulation · level C

Vitamin E

Enhanced antioxidant protection and circulation

Both support circulation and provide antioxidant benefits · level C

Ginkgo Biloba

Comprehensive circulation and blood flow support

Synergistic effects on circulation and vascular health · level C

What not to take with Dong Quai

2 documented

Blood Thinning Supplements

May increase bleeding risk

Additive anticoagulant effects · moderate significance

High Dose Vitamin K

May reduce circulation benefits

Vitamin K promotes clotting while dong quai may thin blood · mild significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining

warfarin-blood-thinners Moderate

May enhance anticoagulant effects

What to do: Monitor INR closely, avoid concurrent use

hormone-replacement-therapy Minor

May interfere with hormone therapy

What to do: Monitor for hormone effects

photosensitizing-medications Minor

May increase photosensitivity

What to do: Protect from sun exposure

Available forms

bioavailability compared

Dong Quai Root Extract (Standardized) 60

Dong Quai Root Extract (Standardized): Traditional women's use, Circulation support, Antioxidant activity, Cultural validation

Food sources

before you supplement

Dong quai root (dried) Traditional herbal preparation · 55

Dong quai tea Moderate compound extraction · 50

Standardized extracts Concentrated active compounds · 60

Not found in common foods Specific herb preparation required · N/A

Too little

deficiency signs

Not applicable (herbal supplement, not essential nutrient):
General symptoms addressed by dong quai:
Irregular or painful menstrual cycles
Poor circulation and cold extremities
Fatigue and low energy (traditional 'blood deficiency')
Menopausal symptoms and hormonal imbalance
PMS symptoms and menstrual cramping

Too much

toxicity signs

Generally safe with some considerations:
Increased bleeding or bruising
Photosensitivity and skin reactions
Digestive upset (rare)
Contraindicated in pregnancy and with blood thinners

Who benefits most

menstrual-irregularities-pms

Traditional menstrual support and PMS relief

520-1040mg daily (or 1-3g dried root)

circulation-blood-building

Traditional blood tonic for circulation support and vitality

520-1040mg daily

perimenopause-symptoms

Traditional support for menopausal transition and symptoms

520-1040mg daily

reproductive-health-women

General reproductive health support and hormonal balance

520mg daily

antioxidant-inflammation-support

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support for overall health

520mg daily

Where to buy it

compare forms first

Look for Dong Quai at 520-1040mg per serving. The form that matters here is Dong Quai Root Extract (Standardized).

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How it works

Coumarins may provide mild anticoagulant effects supporting circulation
Ferulic acid provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits
May influence uterine muscle contractions and menstrual flow
Phytoestrogens may provide mild hormonal balancing effects
Supports healthy blood flow and cardiovascular function
Traditional 'blood building' effects may support energy and vitality

Key findings

what the evidence supports

Limited clinical research but extensive traditional use for women's health
Some evidence for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects
Important safety considerations regarding blood thinning
More research needed to validate traditional uses

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of Dong Quai?

Documented effects: Menstrual support and cycle regulation; Circulation and blood building; Menopausal symptom relief; PMS and cramping relief. Traditional support for menstrual health and cycle regularity

How much Dong Quai should you take per day?

The common daily range is 520-1040mg. By goal — menstrual support: 520-1040mg daily; circulation building: 520-1040mg daily; menopause support: 520-1040mg daily; general wellness: 520mg daily.

When is the best time to take Dong Quai?

With meals. First effects are typically reported within 4-8 weeks for circulation and initial menstrual benefits.

What are the side effects of Dong Quai?

At excessive doses: Generally safe with some considerations:, Increased bleeding or bruising, Photosensitivity and skin reactions, Digestive upset (rare), Contraindicated in pregnancy and with blood thinners. Safety rating at normal doses is 6 out of 10.

What should you not take with Dong Quai?

Separate it from Blood Thinning Supplements, High Dose Vitamin K by two to four hours. May increase bleeding risk

Does Dong Quai interact with medications?

Documented interactions with warfarin-blood-thinners, hormone-replacement-therapy, photosensitizing-medications. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How do you know if you need Dong Quai?

The marker is INR/PT if on blood thinners, hemoglobin, circulation markers, optimal range Normal clotting parameters, stable hemoglobin. Common deficiency signs: Not applicable (herbal supplement, not essential nutrient):, General symptoms addressed by dong quai:, Irregular or painful menstrual cycles, Poor circulation and cold extremities.

Taken for

52 Heart

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) · EPA · Olive Oil Extract

27 Hormones

Melatonin · Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl) · Vitamin B6 (P5P)