Dong Quai Side Effects: What to Know Before You Take It

Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) is one of the most widely used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, often taken for menstrual cramps, menopause symptoms, and general women's health support. But "natural" does not mean risk-free. Dong quai side effects range from mild digestive upset to serious bleeding complications, especially when the herb is combined with blood thinners. This safety-first guide explains the most common and serious adverse effects, who should avoid dong quai entirely, which drug interactions matter most, and what to do if you experience a reaction. It also answers the most-asked questions about dong quai and estrogen, weight gain, and long-term daily use.

Dong Quai Side Effects at a Glance

If you only read one section, read this one. Dong quai is generally well tolerated by healthy adults for short periods, but it is not a harmless "tea." Here is the quick breakdown of what you need to know.

Common side effects (more bothersome than dangerous):

• Nausea and upset stomach
• Bloating and gas
• Diarrhea or loose stools
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Skin photosensitivity (sunburn-like reaction in sunlight)

Serious side effects (rare but require immediate attention):

• Increased bleeding tendency, including easy bruising, bleeding gums, and internal bleeding
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
• Significant drop in blood pressure
• Stimulation of estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells in laboratory models
• Dangerous drug interactions, especially with warfarin and other blood thinners

Who should absolutely avoid dong quai? Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, people with hormone-sensitive cancers, people with bleeding disorders, anyone scheduled for surgery, and anyone currently taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs.

What Is Dong Quai? A 30-Second Background

Dong quai (Angelica sinensis), also called female ginseng, Chinese angelica, or tang kuei, is a fragrant perennial plant in the carrot family (Apiaceae). The root has been used for more than 2,000 years in traditional Chinese medicine as a blood tonic and as a regulator of menstruation. In traditional theory, dong quai is considered warming and is used to invigorate blood, relieve pain, and moisten the intestines.

In modern Western herbalism, dong quai is primarily marketed for:

• Menstrual cramps and irregular periods
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Menopause symptoms, especially hot flushes
• General fatigue and "low blood" states

The root contains a complex mixture of bioactive compounds, including ferulic acid, ligustilide, coumarin derivatives, phytosterols, and polysaccharides. Coumarins are particularly notable because they have anticoagulant-like properties and can interact with prescription blood thinners. This is the most clinically important reason dong quai deserves respect as a botanical medicine rather than casual tea.

Dong quai is sold as dried raw root, powdered root, capsules, tablets, tinctures, and in combination formulas with other herbs. Product quality and concentration vary enormously between brands, which is one reason side effects are so unpredictable.

The Most Common Side Effects of Dong Quai

The most frequently reported side effects of dong quai involve the digestive tract and the nervous system. Most are mild, appear within the first few days of use, and resolve when the dose is reduced or the herb is stopped.

Gastrointestinal side effects

Nausea, bloating, and diarrhea are the most commonly reported negative side effects of dong quai in clinical observations. The volatile oils and ferulic acid in the root can irritate the gastric lining and alter intestinal motility. Some of the coumarin constituents may also have a mild laxative effect. Taking dong quai with food rather than on an empty stomach can reduce these symptoms, but if you consistently feel sick after taking it, the herb may not be right for you.

Neurological side effects

Headache, dizziness, and drowsiness are frequently mentioned in herbal medicine monographs. Ligustilide, one of the major active compounds in dong quai, has smooth-muscle relaxant and mild sedative properties in animal studies, which may explain the drowsiness some people feel. Dizziness can also be secondary to lowered blood pressure, since dong quai has a vasodilating effect.

Skin-related side effects

Dong quai contains furocoumarins, natural compounds that make the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light. People who take large amounts of dong quai and then spend time in the sun may develop a rash, redness, or exaggerated sunburn on exposed skin. If you notice this pattern, reduce sun exposure and consider whether the herb is worth the risk.

Serious and Rare Side Effects: Red Flags to Watch For

Serious side effects from dong quai are uncommon, but they are well documented enough that authoritative sources such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) list them as clinically relevant. These are the ones you need to know.

1. Increased bleeding risk

This is by far the most dangerous side effect of dong quai. The coumarin derivatives in the root structurally resemble the anticoagulant drug warfarin, and multiple case reports have documented significant bleeding complications in people who combined dong quai with warfarin. Even in healthy people not taking anticoagulants, there is a published case report of a 45-year-old woman who experienced a subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding in the space around the brain) after regular use of dong quai for menopausal symptoms, with no other identifiable risk factors.

The bleeding risk comes from two mechanisms working together: coumarins interfere with vitamin K-dependent clotting factor synthesis, and ferulic acid inhibits platelet aggregation. If you notice easy bruising, bleeding gums, blood in your stool, blood in your urine, or prolonged bleeding after a minor cut, stop dong quai immediately and contact your clinician.

2. Severe allergic reactions

Dong quai belongs to the Apiaceae family, which includes carrots, celery, parsnip, and mugwort. Allergic reactions are rare, but they can be serious. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing, wheezing, swelling of the face or throat, hives, and a drop in blood pressure. Anyone with known allergies to Apiaceae plants or to birch pollen should be cautious with dong quai.

3. Low blood pressure

Dong quai has a mild hypotensive effect, meaning it can lower blood pressure. In most people this is clinically unnoticeable. But in someone already taking antihypertensive medication, or in someone with baseline low blood pressure, the additive effect can cause lightheadedness, fainting, or falls. Measure your blood pressure if you feel dizzy after starting dong quai.

4. Hormone-sensitive cancer concerns

Laboratory studies using estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer cell lines (such as MCF-7 cells) have shown that dong quai extracts can stimulate cell proliferation. This means dong quai has estrogen-like activity at the cellular level. Whether this translates to increased cancer risk or recurrence in humans is not proven, because high-quality long-term human studies simply do not exist. However, the precautionary principle is clear: if you have a personal history of breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer, or if you are a BRCA mutation carrier, dong quai should not be used. This is not "fear-mongering"—it is the standard position of major cancer-center herbal databases.

5. Gynecomastia

There are case reports of men developing breast enlargement (gynecomastia) while taking dong quai-containing products. This is consistent with the herb's estrogenic activity and usually resolves when the supplement is stopped. It serves as a reminder that dong quai is not a "female-only" concern; men who use it for other purposes can experience hormonal effects.

6. Paradoxical hypertension

A few herbal monographs list elevated blood pressure as a rare adverse reaction to dong quai, usually in combination products. The mechanism is poorly understood and the evidence is weak. It is mentioned here for completeness because some readers may experience blood pressure changes and wonder whether the herb is responsible.

When to get emergency help

• Sudden severe headache with nausea or neck stiffness
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Unexplained bleeding that does not stop
• Blood in vomit, stool, or urine
• Fainting or severe lightheadedness

Who Should Not Take Dong Quai?

This section directly answers the question "who should not take dong quai?" It is not a list of theoretical cautions—it is a practical checklist based on published contraindications and well-documented drug mechanisms.

Do not take dong quai if you fall into any of these categories:

• Pregnant women. Dong quai has uterine-stimulating activity and has been traditionally used to bring on menstruation. It can increase the risk of miscarriage and should never be used during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester.
• Women trying to become pregnant. The same uterine effects that can cause miscarriage also make dong quai incompatible with early unrecognized pregnancy. If you could be pregnant, do not take it.
• Breastfeeding women. There is insufficient safety data on dong quai's constituents passing into breast milk, and the estrogen-like compounds could theoretically affect a nursing infant.
• People with hormone-sensitive cancers. This includes breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and, according to some sources, prostate cancer. The estrogenic activity of dong quai makes it a potential risk for cancer progression.
• People with bleeding disorders. Hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, thrombocytopenia, or any condition that impairs blood clotting.
• Anyone scheduled for surgery. Stop dong quai at least two weeks before elective surgery to reduce the risk of excessive bleeding.
• People taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs. Warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, clopidogrel, aspirin, and over-the-counter NSAIDs all amplify dong quai's bleeding risk.
• Children and adolescents. No studies support its use in this population, and its hormonal activity makes it especially inappropriate in growing individuals.
• People with unexplained vaginal bleeding. Taking an herb that affects menstrual bleeding can mask or worsen the underlying cause.
• People allergic to parsley, celery, carrots, or mugwort. Cross-reactivity with dong quai is possible.

If you do not fall into any of these categories, dong quai may still cause side effects. It is not a "one-size-fits-all" herb, and your individual biology, genetics, and medication list will determine your personal risk.

Dong Quai Interactions: Drugs and Supplements to Avoid Mixing

"What not to mix with dong quai" is one of the highest-volume related questions about this herb. The answer involves both prescription medications and common over-the-counter products.

Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs

This is the most important interaction. Combining dong quai with warfarin has produced documented cases of dangerously elevated INR (a blood-clotting measure) and serious bleeding. The mechanism is straightforward: dong quai contains coumarin derivatives that add to the effects of warfarin. Similar caution applies to newer direct oral anticoagulants (apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran), antiplatelet drugs (clopidogrel, ticagrelor), and daily aspirin.

NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac already irritate the gastric lining and impair platelet function. Adding dong quai increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Hormone replacement therapy and oral contraceptives

Because dong quai has estrogenic activity, combining it with prescription hormones can theoretically produce additive hormonal effects. This matters for women on menopausal hormone therapy and for people taking birth control pills. The clinical significance is understudied, but the theoretical risk is real enough that a discussion with your clinician is warranted.

Sedatives and central nervous system depressants

Ligustilide has mild sedative properties. If you take benzodiazepines, sleep medications, or other CNS depressants, dong quai could add to their effects and cause excessive drowsiness.

Antihypertensive drugs

Dong quai can lower blood pressure. Combining it with blood-pressure-lowering medication may cause symptomatic hypotension, dizziness, and fainting.

CYP3A4-metabolized drugs

Some furocoumarin constituents of dong quai inhibit CYP3A4, an enzyme responsible for metabolizing many medications. This can increase blood levels of drugs such as certain statins, calcium channel blockers, immunosuppressants, and some psychiatric medications. Studies are preliminary, but the interaction is biologically plausible. If you take medication, ask your pharmacist whether it is metabolized by CYP3A4.

Herbal and supplement interactions

Dong quai can add to the bleeding risk of other herbs and supplements, including high-dose fish oil, ginkgo biloba, garlic, ginger, ginseng, feverfew, horse chestnut, and turmeric. It can also theoretically add to the hormonal effects of soy isoflavones and red clover. If you are mixing herbs, you are doing a real pharmacological experiment—make sure you know what you are combining.

Summary of interactions:

• Warfarin and all blood thinners — highest risk, avoid entirely
• Aspirin and NSAIDs — increased bleeding risk
• HRT and birth control — possible additive hormonal effects
• Sedatives — increased drowsiness
• Blood pressure medication — possible excessive lowering
• CYP3A4 drugs — possible altered drug levels
• Other herbs with anticoagulant activity — cumulative effect

If you take any prescription medication, check with a pharmacist before using dong quai. This is not a step you should skip.

Does Dong Quai Increase or Reduce Estrogen?

This question appears constantly in search results, and the answer is nuanced enough that it deserves its own section.

Dong quai does not reduce estrogen. It has estrogen-agonist activity. In plain language: it can act like estrogen in certain tissues. Laboratory studies show that dong quai extracts bind to both estrogen receptor subtypes (ERα and ERβ) and activate estrogen-responsive genes. In MCF-7 breast cancer cells, dong quai promotes proliferation—exactly what estrogen does. This is why the herb is contraindicated in hormone-sensitive cancers.

However, the picture is not perfectly simple. Some dong quai constituents act differently in different tissues, a pattern called selective estrogen receptor modulation. This means dong quai could be estrogenic in some tissues and anti-estrogenic in others. But the scientific consensus, as reflected by MSKCC and other institutional monographs, is that dong quai should be treated as an herb with meaningful estrogenic potential until proven otherwise.

What about clinical evidence in women? One small randomized study in postmenopausal women found that dong quai alone did not significantly change blood estrogen levels or improve hot flushes compared with placebo over 24 weeks. Another study using a dong quai-containing formula showed changes in vaginal cells and hormones consistent with estrogenic activity. The discrepancy highlights that results depend on the specific product, combination, and study population.

The bottom line: do not take dong quai with the intention of "lowering estrogen." If you are concerned about estrogen dominance, estrogen dominance symptoms, or hormone-related conditions, work with a healthcare practitioner who can order actual hormone testing rather than guessing with herbs. For context, many common nutrients and herbs—including vitamin D—influence hormonal pathways, but none of them is a substitute for proper endocrine evaluation.

Can Dong Quai Make You Gain Weight?

No. There is no credible evidence that dong quai causes weight gain in humans. This is a high-volume related search but it is not supported by clinical data. No human studies have linked dong quai use to increased body weight, fat mass, or appetite changes.

The only relevant animal data point the other way: a study in ovariectomized rats found that a dong quai extract reduced visceral fat accumulation and improved lipid profiles. Whether this translates to meaningful weight effects in humans is unknown, but it certainly does not support the idea that dong quai causes weight gain.

Dong quai also does not cause the fluid retention that some hormonal herbs can trigger, though if you experience bloating as a gastrointestinal side effect, you might feel temporarily heavier. That is gas, not fat.

If you are taking dong quai for menopause or menstrual symptoms and you notice weight changes, look at other factors first: sleep quality, stress, dietary patterns, thyroid status, and concurrent medications. Weight gain around menopause is common and is not a reason to blame the herb.

Safe Use, Forms, and Dosage: Can You Take Dong Quai Every Day?

Search volume for "can you take dong quai everyday" is significant, and the answer depends on what you mean by "every day." Short-term daily use (up to a few weeks) is generally acceptable for healthy adults who do not meet any contraindication. Long-term continuous daily use is much more difficult to justify because there are no long-term safety studies.

Available forms

• Dried root (decoction/tea): Traditional form; 3–15 grams of root simmered in water.
• Powder: Can be added to food or beverages; dosing is product-specific.
• Capsules/tablets: Most common Western form; typical amounts are 500–1,000 mg taken 1–3 times daily.
• Tincture/liquid extract: Typical dose is 1.7–3.5 mL daily or as labeled.
• Combination formulas: Often contain other botanicals, which changes the side effect profile.

Which form is best? There is no high-quality evidence that any one form is more effective. What matters more is standardization and quality. A well-standardized extract with a label guarantee of active marker compounds (like ferulic acid or ligustilide) is preferable to a random powder with unknown potency.

Practical safe-use rules

• Follow the manufacturer's label and never exceed the recommended dose.
• Take dong quai with food to reduce nausea.
• Start with the lowest effective dose and observe how your body responds for at least 3–5 days.
• Stop use before any planned surgery: at least 2 weeks, ideally 3–4.
• Do not combine dong quai with blood thinners, prescription hormones, or other hormonal herbs without professional supervision.

Can you take dong quai every day?

In traditional Chinese medicine, dong quai is typically used cyclically rather than all year round. A common traditional pattern is to take it for a week or two around the menstrual period and then stop. For menopausal symptoms, daily use for a few months is sometimes recommended, but the best-designed placebo-controlled trial found dong quai was not better than placebo for hot flushes—so the question becomes why you are taking it daily in the first place.

There is no evidence that dong quai is safe for continuous use beyond 4–6 months, and there is every reason to be cautious. Herbal products are not regulated like prescription drugs, and long-term cumulative effects on bleeding, clotting, and hormone-sensitive tissues are unknown. If you are looking for a daily foundational supplement, something like a quality multivitamin or magnesium supplement has far better long-term safety evidence than dong quai. Use dong quai like the medicinal botanical it is: for a defined period, for a defined purpose.

The problem with unpredictable products

Because dietary supplements are not strictly regulated by the FDA, there is no guarantee that a dong quai product contains what the label says. Independent testing has found mislabeling, heavy metal contamination, and wide variation in marker compound content among herbal products. Third-party testing certifications (USP, NSF, Informed-Choice, ConsumerLab) reduce but do not eliminate this risk. If a product seems unusually cheap or does not list a specific marker compound, treat it with suspicion.

What to Do If You Experience Side Effects

If you experience any side effect while taking dong quai, here is a step-by-step action plan.

Step 1: Stop the supplement immediately

For any side effect other than a mild and expected digestive adjustment (and honestly, even for that), the safest approach is to stop. Most dong quai side effects resolve within a few days of discontinuation. The half-life of its active compounds is short, and the body clears them relatively quickly.

Step 2: Decide if it is an emergency

Call emergency services (911 in the US and Canada) if you have:

• Sudden severe headache with nausea or neck stiffness
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Blood in vomit, stool, or urine
• Fainting or collapse

Step 3: Contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist

For non-emergency side effects such as persistent nausea, headache, drowsiness, rash, or dizziness, stop dong quai and speak with your clinician. Tell them exactly what product you took, the dose, how long you took it, and what symptoms developed. If you also take prescription medication, ask specifically about herb-drug interactions.

Step 4: Report the side effect

In the US, report adverse reactions to the FDA through the MedWatch program. Canadians can report through Health Canada's adverse reaction reporting portal. Pharmacovigilance for herbal products depends on consumer reports, and your report can help protect others. In Europe, report to your national medicines agency.

Step 5: Call Poison Control for accidental overdose

If you accidentally take a very large amount of dong quai—several times the recommended dose—call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (US) or 1-844-POISON-X (Canada). Have the product container with you so you can list its ingredients. Especially with herbal extracts, "more" is not better and large accidental doses can produce dangerous bleeding, arrhythmias, or severe hypotension.

Key Takeaways

• Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) is a traditional Chinese herb used for menstrual cramps and menopause symptoms, but it is not a benign food product.
• The most common side effects are nausea, bloating, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and photosensitivity.
• The most dangerous risk is bleeding, particularly when dong quai is combined with warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, or NSAIDs.
• Dong quai has estrogen-agonist activity in laboratory models, not estrogen-lowering activity. Anyone with a hormone-sensitive cancer should avoid it.
• There is no reliable evidence that dong quai causes weight gain; some animal data suggest it may reduce fat accumulation, but human evidence is absent.
• Pregnancy is an absolute contraindication because of the herb's uterine-stimulating effects.
• Short-term, cyclical use is safer than continuous daily use; no long-term safety data exist beyond several months.
• Product quality varies widely. Choose third-party tested brands and avoid unlabeled raw powders.
• If side effects occur, stop the herb and contact your healthcare provider; bleeding symptoms require emergency attention.
• This article is informational only—your personal risk profile depends on your medical history, medications, and genetics.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dong Quai Safety

Who should not take dong quai?

Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, people with hormone-sensitive cancers, people with bleeding disorders, anyone preparing for surgery, and anyone taking blood thinners or NSAIDs should not take dong quai. Children and people allergic to parsley, celery, or carrots should also avoid it.

What should you not mix with dong quai?

Do not mix dong quai with warfarin or any anticoagulant, antiplatelet drugs like clopidogrel and aspirin, NSAIDs, hormone therapy, oral contraceptives, sedatives, or blood pressure medications. Combining herbs that also affect clotting, such as garlic, ginger, ginkgo, and high-dose fish oil, increases the bleeding risk further.

Does dong quai reduce estrogen?

No. Dong quai has estrogen-agonist activity, meaning it can mimic estrogen in certain tissues. Laboratory studies show it stimulates estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer cells. There is no evidence it reduces estrogen levels in the body.

What does dong quai do to the female body?

Traditionally, dong quai is used to regulate menstruation, relieve menstrual cramps, and manage menopausal hot flushes. Its biologically active compounds can influence uterine smooth muscle, blood flow, and estrogen receptor signaling. However, clinical trials do not consistently confirm these traditional uses.

Does dong quai make you gain weight?

There is no evidence that dong quai causes weight gain in humans. Some animal research suggests it may reduce visceral fat, but this has not been proven in people. Any weight change while taking dong quai is more likely related to diet, activity, stress, sleep, or other medications.

Can you take dong quai every day?

Short-term daily use for a few weeks is acceptable for people without contraindications, but long-term continuous daily use lacks safety data. Traditional practice favors cyclical use, such as one to two weeks per month. Beyond four to six months, the cumulative risk on clotting and hormone-sensitive tissues is unknown.

Does dong quai increase estrogen?

Dong quai has shown estrogenic activity in laboratory models, including binding to estrogen receptors and promoting estrogen-responsive cancer cell growth. Whether this produces a measurable increase in blood estrogen in women is inconsistent across studies, but the herb should be considered estrogen-active.

Is dong quai safe during pregnancy?

No. Dong quai has uterine-stimulating effects and has been traditionally used to induce menstruation. It can increase the risk of miscarriage and must not be used during pregnancy or while trying to conceive.

Can dong quai cause bleeding?

Yes. Dong quai contains coumarins that interfere with vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, and ferulic acid inhibits platelet aggregation. Case reports document serious bleeding, including a subarachnoid hemorrhage, especially among regular users and patients also taking anticoagulants.

Does dong quai interact with birth control?

Dong quai may have additive estrogenic effects when combined with oral contraceptives or hormonal birth control devices. It may also be metabolized through pathways that affect drug clearance. No robust clinical studies define this interaction, but a conversation with your doctor or pharmacist is warranted.

How long can you safely take dong quai?

There is no defined upper limit, but safety data beyond 16 weeks are very limited. Most clinical trials have lasted between 12 and 24 weeks. Using dong quai for short, defined periods with breaks is the more conservative approach.

Can dong quai cause high blood pressure?

Rare case reports list paradoxical high blood pressure with dong quai-containing formulas, but the evidence is weak and the mechanism unclear. More commonly, dong quai lowers blood pressure. If you notice blood pressure changes, stop the herb and monitor your readings.

Bottom Line: Is Dong Quai Safe for You?

Dong quai is one of the most historically important herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, and it clearly has biological activity. That activity is precisely why it can cause side effects. The negative side effects of dong quai are not a reason to panic—they are a reason to make an informed decision.

For a healthy woman with painful periods who is not pregnant, not breastfeeding, has no bleeding disorder, no hormone-sensitive condition, and takes no interacting medications, dong quai can be used for a short, defined course with reasonable caution. For everyone else, the risk–benefit equation shifts substantially. The person who should be most careful is the one who assumes an herbal supplement is automatically safe because it is "natural." Dong quai is not in that category.

It is also worth remembering that dong quai is not the only tool for the symptoms it is used for. Magnesium, vitamin B1, and omega-3 fatty acids have better human evidence for menstrual cramps than dong quai does. Magnesium supplementation in particular is supported by multiple clinical trials. For general daily nutrient needs, a well-formulated multivitamin carries far less safety uncertainty than a botanical with anticoagulant properties.

If you decide dong quai is worth trying, choose a third-party tested product, start low, take it with food, track how you feel, and stop if anything concerns you. Tell your healthcare provider what you are taking. Supplements work best when they are part of an honest conversation with a clinician who knows your medical history.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, changing, or stopping any supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication. This article was last reviewed in January 2026 by the Topvitamine Medical Content Team.

References:

• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. About Herbs: Dong Quai monograph.
• European Medicines Agency. Assessment report on Angelica sinensis root.
• ASCO Post. Updates on herbal medicine safety for oncology patients.
• Case reports: warfarin–dong quai interaction; subarachnoid hemorrhage associated with dong quai use; gynecomastia associated with dong quai-containing products.
• Clinical trial: Hirata JD, et al. Does dong quai have estrogenic effects in postmenopausal women? A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Fertility and Sterility, 1997.
• In vitro studies: MCF-7 breast cancer cell stimulation by Angelica sinensis extracts.

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