Dong quai

Dong quai (Angelica sinensis), also known as Dang Gui, is an herb native to China, Japan and Korea. A member of the celery family, it has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. Because dong quai (specifically, the root) is rich in compounds with anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulating effects, it is said to help in the treatment of a range of problems, from allergies and constipation to hypertension and more.

Because it is thought to have a balancing effect on the female hormonal system, dong quai is sometimes called "female ginseng."

Health Benefits of Dong Quai

In addition to the problems mentioned above, dong quai is often touted as a treatment for headaches, PMS, menstrual cramps, fibroids, nasal and/or sinus congestion, and rheumatoid arthritis. There is not enough solid science to support the use of dong quai for these purposes. Further research is underway.

Arthritis

Although research on the health effects of dong quai is limited, some preliminary studies suggest that the herb may be useful for arthritis and osteoarthritis.

In a 2014 study of cells taken from both human and rat cartilage, scientists observed that compounds extracted from dong quai could inhibit cartilage breakdown related to osteoarthritis.

A study published in 2018 showed that a polysaccharide from dong quai root appeared to reverse the oxidative stress associated with osteoarthritis in human cells.

While these results are promising, no placebo-controlled human studies have been conducted.