Dong Quai

Dong Quai is part of Chinese herbal medicine, and as such has been used for many centuries to promote and maintain women's health.
Over 500 herbs are regularly used in formulas designed specifically for treating women, but amongst these, Dong Quai is by far the most used, due to its ability to nourish the Blood whilst balancing hormone levels.
Dong quai is most commonly used in treatment of menstrual disorders such as irregular menstruation, amenorrhoea and dysmenorrhea.
Dong quai is also used as an analgesic for symptomatic treatment of rheumatic arthralgia, abdominal pain and in the management of postoperative pain.
Dong quai is also used for treatment of constipation, anaemia, chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver.
As early as the turn of the last century, a number of studies were made into clinical use of Dong Quai in treatment of amenorrhoea and dysmenorrhoea. In these early cases female patients were treated with 5ml of a fluid extract of the roots of Dong Quai three times daily before meals for 1 week before menstruation.
The treatment with dong quai relieved premenstrual pain and induced menstrual flow in most cases. No abortive activity was observed in two pregnant women treated with the same fluid extract.
In another study, a similar dong quai extract taken three times daily for one week before menstruation was effective in decreasing menstrual pain and chronic endometritis .
Decoction of dong quai roots reportedly stimulated uterine contractions in the uterine smooth muscle of patients, although the doses and conditions being treated were not stated.
Dong Quai should not be administered to children or patients with diarrhoea or haemorrhagic diseases, nor should it be taken by pregnant or lactating women, unless under directions of a qualified practitioner.
Patients receiving anticoagulation therapy (notably warfarin), should not take Dong Quai.
Dong Quai is regarded as having very few adverse reactions or side effects.