✓ No active regulatory warningsFDA MedWatch, EMA EudraVigilance, WHO VigiBase, WADA Prohibited List · 2026-05-29
Updated: 2026-05-29 · v2.0 · Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhDCiteEditorial
📰Read the full Dang Gui (Dong Quai) evidence review on GMJ News →Complete clinical article, references and updates on news.gmj.ge. This page is the structured safety summary.
3
Limited
Dang Gui (Dong Quai)
Angelica sinensis
Limited EvidenceLimitedBotanicals
RDA
Typical 500–2,000 mg
Target
Therapeutic
Upper limit
No UL
Products
—
Dosage by population group — reference
🔗 Best with: Black Cohosh, Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex), Astragalus✅ USP Verified, ConsumerLab Approved, Clean Label Project Certified
⚠ Solo use: RCT NEGATIVE for menopause [2]
⚠ Warfarin interaction — coumarin content (INR elevation documented) [1]
⚠ Pregnancy: AVOID (uterotonic + coumarins) [1]
⚠ TCM tradition: combination formulas, NOT solo use [1]
ℹ️ Not obtained from food. Not applicable — this is not obtained from food in meaningful amounts; supplementation is the practical route.
🔬 Lab interpreter
Recommended test
INR (if on anticoagulants)
Reference range / target
Therapeutic
When to test
If co-administered [1].
Documented INR elevation [1].
Full lab monitoring ↓
⚕ For professionals — confirm ranges against your local laboratory.
Clinical verdict
Dong quai ('female ginseng') solo: NO better than placebo for menopause (Hirata RCT). TCM uses it in COMBINATION formulas, not alone. Coumarin content — warfarin interaction documented. Pregnancy: AVOID (uterotonic). The reputation exceeds the solo evidence [1] [2].
1 How much do I need?
👤 Adults: Specific dosage data under clinical review
👴 Elderly: Specific dosage data under clinical review
🤰 Pregnancy: See guidance
AVOID — uterotonic + coumarins [1].
👦 Pediatric: See guidance
Not appropriate [1].
🏃 Athletes: Standard dose
⚖️ Obesity: Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.
🩺 Renal: Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.
🌱 Vegan: Standard dose

How to take

🍽 Timing: Per TCM practitioner [1].
💊 With food: In soups/decoctions [1].
🚫 Avoid: Anticoagulants. Pregnancy. Solo use for menopause [1] [2].
2 Which form?
FormBioavailabilityVeganCost
['Dong quai extract', 'common', '200–500 mg/day [2].']StandardCheck label
['Dried root (TCM)', 'common', 'Often used in multi-herb formulas, not alone [1].']StandardCheck label
3 Common questions
Does dong quai help menopause? ▼
The only well-designed RCT (Hirata, JAMA) found dong quai ALONE no better than placebo for menopausal symptoms. TCM uses it in multi-herb formulas, not solo [2].
Is dong quai estrogenic? ▼
Debated. Some in vitro studies show weak estrogen receptor binding; others do not. The phytoestrogen activity is uncertain [1].
4 Clinical evidence

Strong

Contains coumarins: confirmed [1]. Hirata RCT: dong quai alone NO better than placebo for menopause [2]. HIGH

Moderate

TCM combination formulas: some positive data when dong quai is combined with other herbs [1]. Antispasmodic (ligustilide): in vitro smooth muscle relaxation [1]. MODERATE

Insufficient

Menopausal symptoms (solo) [2]. Dysmenorrhea (solo) [1]. Anemia [1]. PMS [1]. LOW
5 Safety, toxicity & adverse events

Absolute contraindications

✕ Pregnancy — uterine-stimulant and anticoagulant effects

Relative

⚠ Anticoagulants/antiplatelets — bleeding risk
⚠ Photosensitivity (furocoumarins)
⚠ Hormone-sensitive conditions — possible estrogenic activity
⚠ Discontinue before surgery

🚩 Red flags

● Warfarin patient — documented INR elevation [1]
● Pregnancy [1]
● Patient expecting solo menopause benefit — RCT negative [2]
6 Interactions

Drug interactions

Warfarin Major
Mechanism: Coumarin content. [1]
Effect: Elevated INR. Bleeding. [1]
Action: Avoid or monitor INR closely [1].
7 Regulatory
China: Official TCM pharmacopoeia. Always used in combination formulas [1].
United States: Dietary supplement [1].
Dang Gui (Dong Quai) vs Black CohoshDang Gui (Dong Quai) vs Chaste Tree Berry
8 Cite this page
Vancouver: Pkhakadze G. Dang Gui (Dong Quai) — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: PHIG; 2026 [cited 2026 Aug 15]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/dang-gui-dong-quai/
APA 7th: Pkhakadze, G. (2026). Dang Gui (Dong Quai) — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/dang-gui-dong-quai/
📋 Editorial information
Author: Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Affiliation: David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU)
First published: January 2026
Last reviewed: 2026-05-29
Next review: February 2027
References: 2 cited sources
COI: SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
Process: Systematic literature review
📄 License & reuse
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). You may share and adapt for any purpose with attribution.
Pkhakadze G. "Dang Gui (Dong Quai) — Safety Profile." SupplementIndex, PHIG, 2026. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/dang-gui-dong-quai/ CC BY 4.0.
GP
Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Professor of Public Health · Head of Department, DTMU
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal (ISSN 3088-4322)
Chair, Public Health Institute of Georgia · UEMS Public Health Section
Educational and public health purposes. CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Corrections: info@accreditation.ge. Publisher: PHIG