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Home >
Research Department
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Supplement Articles
> Dong Quai |
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Supplement Articles |
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DONG QUAI
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.) |
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DONG QUAI
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Dong Quai can help
relieve cramping
during PMS |
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Dong quai is one of
the most important
herbs in traditional
Asian medicine. It
is considered to be
a tonic for females
and can be used for
everything from
fatigue and recovery
from illness to
hormonal
imbalances. Dong
quai is a
phytoestrogenic
agent. This
means that it
contains plant
estrogens, compounds
that look similar to
human estrogen and
can interact with
estrogen receptors
in the human body. |
The important thing
to remember is that
these plant
estrogens only
stimulate the
receptors a fraction
of the amount that
the hormone estrogen
would.
Therefore dong quai can be
used to treat
conditions of high
estrogen activity,
by blocking the
activity of the
hormone estrogen.
It can also treat
conditions of low
estrogen activity by
binding to vacant
receptor sites and
causing a bit of
hormonal
stimulation. Dong
quai is used to
treat menopausal
symptoms, like hot
flashes, anxiety and
depression, and PMS
and painful
periods. Some
compounds in dong
quai have been found
to decrease blood
pressure by dilating
vessels making dong
quai useful for
treating high blood
pressure. It is also
reported that dong
quai supports the
production of red
blood cells. Red
blood cells carry
oxygen to body
tissues. By
increasing blood
production dong quai
can alleviate anemia
and improve energy.
Dong quai can be
used as encapsulated
herb, dried herb or
tincture. Better
quality supplements
are standardized
which is an
assurance that the
product contains
dong quai and has
some active
properties. Dong
quai is found as a
component of
hormonal balancing
and blood pressure
lowering formulas.
Dong quai contains
substances that
decrease your blood
clotting ability
therefore those with
active bleeding, or
those who use blood
thinners, aspirin or
NSAIDs should use
caution. For the
same reason, stop
using dong quai 2
weeks prior to
surgery or dental
procedures. Do not
use dong quai during
pregnancy, while
nursing, while
taking oral
contraceptives or
hormone replacement
therapy because dong
quai can alter
hormone levels.
Dong quai may alter
the effectiveness of
some heart and blood
pressure
medications.
Diabetics or those
with estrogen
sensitive tumours
should not use dong
quai. Dong quai
use has been linked
to increased risk of
burns from the sun
and tanning beds. |
Dong Quai–
QUICK FACTS
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PARTS USED
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·
Roots. |
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APPLICATIONS |
·
Fatigue,
anemia, high
blood
pressure,
menopausal
symptoms,
menstrual
cramps, PMS. |
OPTIMUM
DOSAGE
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·
400mg daily
standardized
to
approximately
1%
ligustilide.
(Clinical
doses may be
higher as
recommended
by your
practitioner). |
WORKS WELL
WITH
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·
Black cohosh,
chaste
berry,
primrose
oil, vitamin
E,
motherwort,
hawthorn. |
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IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
click for
products |
·
People with
diabetes,
estrogen
sensitive
tumours or
active
bleeding
should use
caution when
taking dong
quai.
·
Do not use
dong quai
and heart
medication,
blood
pressure
medication,
blood
thinners,
aspirin or
NSAIDs at
the same
time. Use
caution if
you are a
woman who
uses hormone
replacement
therapy or
oral
contraceptives.
·
Do not use
dong quai
during
pregnancy
and while
nursing.
·
Stop using
dong quai 2
weeks prior
to surgery
or dental
procedures.
·
Dong quai
may cause
photosensitivity.
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For
informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
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All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2011. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
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