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Dq8.5
Dong Quai Research
Likely helpsModerate safety
34 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Dong Quai appears to help in 4 of 4 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2005–2026 with a typical study size of 50 participants.
Based on 34 studies · 2 meta-analyses · 13 RCTs · 5,698 total participants
Confidence
High
What the studies found
4helped· 30 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Menopause & women's reproductiveMay help manage menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes · 4-8 weeks · Supports healthy estrogen metabolism and hormonal equilibrium · 4-8 weeks · May help reduce menstrual discomfort and PMS symptoms · 1-3 cycles
11 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2025
200520152026
1Treatment of chronic urticaria symptomsMeta-AnalysisCited 1×n=1,192 · large study2025
TCM has great advantages in the treatment of CU, can effectively improve the symptoms, the curative effect is stable and safe, but there are still some deficiencies in the standardization of curative effect evaluation.
Chen R et al. · Medicine (2025)
TCM has great advantages in the treatment of CU, can effectively improve the symptoms, the curative effect is stable and safe, but there are still some deficiencies in the standardization of curative effect evaluation.
2Z-ligustilide intervention for atherosclerosisSystematic ReviewCited 8×2024
This paper aims to provide a basis for subsequent studies of Z-LIG in the prevention and treatment of AS and its cerebrovascular complications and, thus, to promote the development of interventional drugs for AS.
Shen L et al. · Biomolecules (2024)
Then, we reviewed Z-LIG's intervention and therapeutic mechanisms on AS and its cerebrovascular complications.
The mechanisms of Z-LIG intervention in AS include improving lipid metabolism, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, protecting vascular endothelium, and inhibiting vascular endothelial fibrosis, pathological thickening, and plaque calcification.
This paper aims to provide a basis for subsequent studies of Z-LIG in the prevention and treatment of AS and its cerebrovascular complications and, thus, to promote the development of interventional drugs for AS.
3Angelica polysaccharide efficacy on systemic diseasesSystematic ReviewCited 13×2024
However, different extraction methods and extraction sites greatly affect the efficacy of APS.
Shen J et al. · International immunopharmacology (2024)
However, different extraction methods and extraction sites greatly affect the efficacy of APS.
In recent years, with the emerging of new technologies, there are more and more studies on the combined application and structural modification of APS.
4Endothelial cell protection from oxidative stress via Nrf2/HO-1 activationSystematic ReviewCited 656×2021
Our present paper provides updated information of natural agents with protective activities on ECs against oxidative stress by activating Nrf2/HO-1.
Zhang Q et al. · Journal of advanced research (2021)
Our present paper provides updated information of natural agents with protective activities on ECs against oxidative stress by activating Nrf2/HO-1.
We hope this review will provide some directions for the further development of novel candidate drugs from natural agents for the treatment of AS and other CVDs.
5Angelica sinensis therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's diseaseSystematic ReviewCited 22×2022
This review will provide further support for the research on AD and the application of medicine-food herb AS in a healthy lifestyle in the future.
Long Y et al. · Food & function (2022)
The role of dietary supplement components in AS for AD intervention is summarized, including vitamin B12, folic acid, arginine, and oleic acid, which can improve the symptoms of AD.
Besides, this review focuses on the safety and toxicity evaluation of AS, which provides a basis for its application.
This review will provide further support for the research on AD and the application of medicine-food herb AS in a healthy lifestyle in the future.
A. sinensis is a key agent for ischemic stroke treatment, and worth deeply excavating its therapeutic potentiality with the aid of pharmacological network, computer-aided drug design, artificial intelligence, big data and multi-scale modelling techniques.
Han Y et al. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (2021)
A. sinensis is a key agent for ischemic stroke treatment, and worth deeply excavating its therapeutic potentiality with the aid of pharmacological network, computer-aided drug design, artificial intelligence, big data and multi-scale modelling techniques.
Thus exploring the roles of NK cells in adjuvant therapy against cancer is confirmed to be beneficial to explore the underlying relationship between immunomodulation and quality of life.
Liu H et al. · Journal of ethnopharmacology (2021)
Evidence-based functions of CHMs against cancer could be summarized as: (1) enhancement of NK cells activity or relative percentage; (2) prevention of tumor growth and metastasis; (3) relief on side-effects or complications of therapeutic strategies (i.e. chemotherapy, radiotherapy and resection).
ASP has a variety of pharmacological activities, including hematopoietic activity, promoting immunity, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-virus, liver protection, and so on.
Nai J et al. · International journal of biological macromolecules (2021)
ASP has a variety of pharmacological activities, including hematopoietic activity, promoting immunity, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-virus, liver protection, and so on.
As a kind of natural polysaccharide, ASP has potential application as drug carriers.
Hence, this multi-target, multi-level pathway may bring on a new dawn for the treatment of glioblastoma.
Wang J et al. · Bioscience trends (2020)
Although the current treatment is multimodal, including surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, it does not significantly improve survival time.
Hence, this article systematically reviews experimental research progress of some traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of glioblastoma from two aspects: strengthening vital qi and eliminating pathogenic qi.
Among, strengthening vital qi medicine includes panax ginseng, licorice, lycium barbarum, angelica sinensis; eliminating pathogenic medicine includes salvia miltiorrhiza bunge, scutellaria baicalensis, coptis rhizoma, thunder god vine, and sophora flavescens.
11Z-ligustilide pharmacokinetics and pharmacologySystematic ReviewCited 82×2020
This review intends to provide a comprehensive overview of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacology of Z-ligustilide in recent years, with a focus on its biological properties and mechanisms, which is of great significance for Chinese medicine.
Xie Q et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2020)
New evidence suggests that Z-ligustilide has a wide range of pharmacological properties, including anticancer, antiinflammatory, anti-oxidant as well as neuroprotective activities and so on.
The literature discussed is derived from readily accessible papers spanning the early 1970s to the end of March 2019.
Information were collected from journals, books, and online searches (Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Science Citation Index Finder, Springer link, and CNKI).
12Treatment effectiveness for amenorrhea caused by antipsychotic drugsMeta-AnalysisCited 11×n=18 · very small study2022
More research is needed to better understand different aspects of Chinese herbal medicine use in treatment of this particular medical condition.
Liu L et al. · Journal of ethnopharmacology (2022)
Barely noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
The overall effectiveness for treatment amenorrhea caused by antipsychotic drugs using traditional Chinese herbal medicine was 0.91, with 95% confidence interval of 0.89-0.93.
Further research elucidates the immune-modulating mechanisms on Th17/Treg axis by TCM might provide a broader insight for the treatment of IMID.
Xu YY et al. · The American journal of Chinese medicine (2020)
Moreover, there were nine active ingredients (including Oxymatrine, Baicalin, Triptolide, Paeoniflorin, Sinomenine, Celastrol, Emodin, Diosgenin and Chlorogenic acid) originating from TCM reported to have an immunological regulation effect on the Th17/Treg axis.
The highlight of this systematic review is to reveal the pharmacological basis of TCM treating IMID and is helpful for supporting future pharmacologic-driven studies.
Further research elucidates the immune-modulating mechanisms on Th17/Treg axis by TCM might provide a broader insight for the treatment of IMID.
Our results suggest that calycosin is a bioactive chemical in DBT decoction, and which could play a key linker in orchestrating multi-components of DBT as to achieve maximal functions.
Gong AG et al. · Journal of ethnopharmacology (2015)
Our results suggest that calycosin is a bioactive chemical in DBT decoction, and which could play a key linker in orchestrating multi-components of DBT as to achieve maximal functions.
These discoveries should be invaluable in drug development and in investigating the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine from a new perspective.
The health professionals who are involved in treating the patients are expected to be fully informed about the interactions between warfarin and medicinal herbs in order to minimize the health risks of the patients.
Milić N et al. · Natural product communications (2014)
Some of the interactions between warfarin and medicinal herbs have been well assessed proving that they are closely-dependent.
The health professionals who are involved in treating the patients are expected to be fully informed about the interactions between warfarin and medicinal herbs in order to minimize the health risks of the patients.
16Treatment of gynecologic diseases, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, nervous system diseases, and nephrotic syndromeSystematic ReviewCited 103×2013
Based on recent animal studies and clinical trials, RAS has been used in the treatment of gynecologic diseases, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, nervous system diseases, and nephrotic syndrome.
Chen XP et al. · Chinese journal of natural medicines (2013)
Based on recent animal studies and clinical trials, RAS has been used in the treatment of gynecologic diseases, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, nervous system diseases, and nephrotic syndrome.
In this review, the recent phytochemical and pharmacological studies, drug-drug interactions, clinical applications, and toxicity of RAS are summarized.
17Neuroprotection against ischemia and neurodegenerationSystematic ReviewCited 40×2011
Pharmacology of the 7 herbs and their major relative polyphenols is depicted in the article.
Lin B · Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry (2011)
Other 4 medical plants: astragali, ligusticum wallichii, angelica sinensis and carthamus tinctorius (saffron) have been the major medicines to treat ischemia for hundreds of years in China, Korea and Japan.
Our recent experimental studies demonstrated the neuroprotective efficacy of the combination of these phyotmedicines on mitigating brain infarction and global ischemia as well as preventing the neurodegeneration following ischemia.
Owing to their multi-function, including improving cerebral blood circulation, they therefore have the potential to alleviate the symptoms of degenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD).
19Treatment of menopausal symptomsSystematic ReviewCited 7×2008
The unrestricted sale of plant products constitutes a new situation for physicians with little training in phytotherapy.
Haimov-Kochman R et al. · The European journal of contraception & reproductive health care : the official journal of the European Society of Contraception (2008)
The unrestricted sale of plant products constitutes a new situation for physicians with little training in phytotherapy.
The qualitative and quantitative diversity of the commercially available preparations, the absence of precise prescribing guidelines, and the risk of self-prescribed medication justify the introduction of 'phyto-vigilance'.
Physicians should warn their patients about the lack of evidence regarding safety and possible interactions of herbal remedies with concurrent medications.
There is evidence that clonidine, paroxetine, venlafaxine, gabapentin and black cohosh may be beneficial in the treatment of menopausal vasomotor symptoms in some women.
Cheema D et al. · Archives of gynecology and obstetrics (2007)
There is evidence that clonidine, paroxetine, venlafaxine, gabapentin and black cohosh may be beneficial in the treatment of menopausal vasomotor symptoms in some women.
Current evidence does not support the use of fluoxetine, red clover, phytoestrogens, Ginseng, evening primrose, dong quai and vitamin E.
The side effects profile of these therapies should be considered.