About Dang Gui
Distinct species from Angelica archangelica (European angelica) — do not conflate. Bare 'angelica root' aliases resolve here because TCM/Western herbal supplement labels overwhelmingly use 'Angelica' to mean Dong Quai (A. sinensis); A. archangelica products typically specify the species. If/when an A. archangelica entry is added, those bare aliases need to move. Constituents: ferulic acid, ligustilide, Z-ligustilide, polysaccharides, coumarins. Traditionally used in TCM for menstrual and menopausal complaints, almost always in multi-herb formulas, not as a single agent. Western RCT evidence is weak and largely negative: Hirata et al. 1997 (n=71) RCT in postmenopausal women found no benefit over placebo for hot flashes, vaginal dryness, or endometrial thickness. Some small combination-formula trials show modest signal for menopausal symptoms but cannot isolate the contribution of Dong Quai. Mechanistic estrogenic activity is inconsistent in vitro. SAFETY: contains coumarin derivatives — meaningful additive bleeding risk with warfarin, DOACs, antiplatelets, NSAIDs; case reports of INR elevation. Furanocoumarins may cause photosensitization. Avoid in pregnancy (uterine stimulant in TCM use) and in hormone-sensitive cancers.
What Dang Gui supports
- Traditional TCM use for menstrual and menopausal symptoms — modern monotherapy evidence is largely negative
- Coumarin content raises bleeding risk with anticoagulants and antiplatelets
How much Dang Gui to take
Clinical studies typically use 1000–4500 mg of Dang Gui. Range tightened around the only Western RCT (Hirata 1997, ~4.5 g/day root powder, 24 wk, NULL result). There is no validated therapeutic dose for any indication — the range reflects what was used in the only adequately-sized monotherapy trial, which failed.
- Effective range
- 1000–4500 mg
Clinical evidence
Limited clinical evidence. Hirata et al. 1997 RCT (PMID 9418683, Fertil Steril, n=71, 24 wk) — null result for menopausal symptoms. No high-quality monotherapy trials support efficacy claims.
Reference