Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Dong Quai Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herbs Etc.

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Major
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

Dong Quai is a dietary supplement by Herbs Etc. with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for menopause symptoms, menstrual cramps and irregular periods, premenstrual syndrome (pms).Based on those ingredients, 163 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Dong Quai. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Dong Quai by Herbs Etc.

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 0 of its 1 active ingredient.

This product contains one active ingredient: dong quai, a traditional Chinese herb. The liquid form is suspended in 70% grain alcohol and purified water.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient Dong Quai product and its label doesn't state a use — see Dong Quai's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence we hold doesn't establish dong quai's effectiveness for any of its common uses — iron deficiency anemia, osteoporosis, heart disease, migraine, and eczema all show insufficient reliable evidence to rate. That doesn't mean it doesn't work; it means the research isn't conclusive enough yet to say one way or another.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Dong Quai

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Taken by mouth, dong quai is generally well tolerated, though some people report burping and flatulence. A rare case of allergic asthma and rhinitis has been reported with occupational exposure.

More importantly: dong quai can increase your bleeding risk and make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so use it carefully if either concerns you. The plant contains compounds that may be carcinogenic, but we don't know whether the amounts in supplements are high enough to matter with long-term or high-dose use.

Dong quai is rated possibly unsafe in pregnancy because it may stimulate the uterus and affect bleeding. There isn't enough safety data to use it while breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you in either situation.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Dong Quai

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Dong Quai.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 163 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Check before taking this product if you use warfarin or other blood thinners (anticoagulants) — this is a Major interaction. Also double-check if you take antiplatelet drugs like aspirin for heart protection, or if you're on estrogen or hormone replacement therapy.

We could not assess interactions with any other medications you might be taking.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with no assessable stated purpose. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Dong quai is best reserved for people not taking blood thinners or hormone therapy — those are the main concerns. Even if you're not on those, its effectiveness for common uses isn't established yet.

Before you start, run your medications through the search tool on this page and talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist, especially if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or have bleeding concerns.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Sep 25, 2015.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Dong Quai, straight from the product label.

Brand Herbs Etc.
Net contents 8 fl. Oz.; 236 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 25, 2015
DSLD ID 50329
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses No Claim
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Dong Quai by Herbs Etc., sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
0 Not Present
Maximum serving Sizes:
0 Not Present
IngredientAmount% DV
Dong Quai0 NP--

Other ingredients: 70% Grain Alcohol, purified Water

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General Statements

Herbal Single

Professional strength

Dried root extract

For dispensing purposes only

Formula

Angelica sinensis

FDA Statement of Identity

Fast- Acting Dietary Supplement

General

99056

See for yourself

Dong Quai by Herbs Etc. label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Dong Quai by Herbs Etc.

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size0 Not Present Dosage formLiquid Amounts shown are per serving.

Dong Quai

Interacts with
163 drugs
0 NP per serving

Dong Quai is a traditional Chinese herb often called "female ginseng" and is mostly used for menstrual and menopausal complaints. High-quality scienti...

Dong Quai monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: 70% Grain Alcohol, Purified Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Dong Quai by Herbs Etc. Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Dong Quai?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
163Drugs
2 Major 161 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Dong Quai 163

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Dong Quai with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Dong Quai3 drug types · 163 drugs

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Dong quai may increase the risk of bleeding when used with warfarin.
Case reports suggest that concomitant use of dong quai with warfarin can increase the anticoagulant effects of warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding. In one case, after 4 weeks of taking dong quai 565 mg once or twice daily, the international normalized ratio (INR) increased to 4.9. The INR normalized 4 weeks after discontinuation of dong quai.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, dong quai may increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs; however, research is conflicting.
Animal studies suggest that dong quai has antithrombin activity and inhibits platelet aggregation due to its coumarin components. Additionally, some case reports in humans suggest that dong quai can increase the anticoagulant effects of warfarin. However, clinical research in healthy adults shows that taking 1 gram of dong quai root daily for 3 weeks does not significantly inhibit platelet aggregation or cause bleeding. Until more is known, use dong quai with caution in patients taking antiplatelet/anticoagulant drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Estrogens

Theoretically, dong quai may reduce the effects of estrogens.
Dong quai has estrogenic effects. Theoretically, concomitant use of large amounts of dong quai might interfere with hormone replacement therapy due to competition for estrogen receptors.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Dong Quai, from the product label.

Herbs Etc.

Name
Herbs, Etc
Street Address
1340 Rufina Cr.
City
Santa Fe
State
NM
ZipCode
87507
Web Address
www.herbsetc.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Dong Quai by Herbs Etc.: Common Questions

Does Dong Quai by Herbs Etc. interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Dong Quai has a known interaction with 163 medications, including 2 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Dong Quai contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
What is dong quai used for?
Dong quai is traditionally used for iron deficiency anemia, osteoporosis, heart disease, migraines, and eczema. However, the evidence we hold doesn't establish that it works reliably for any of these — the research just isn't conclusive enough yet.
Can I take dong quai while pregnant?
No — it's rated possibly unsafe. Dong quai may stimulate your uterus and affect bleeding, so avoid it during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your options.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking dong quai?
There isn't enough safety information to say either way. It's best avoided while breastfeeding. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice if you're nursing.
What side effects does dong quai cause?
Most people tolerate it well. The most common side effects are burping and flatulence. A rare case of allergic asthma and rhinitis has been reported. Dong quai can also increase your bleeding risk and make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
Why is this product in grain alcohol?
The product facts show this is a liquid form suspended in 70% grain alcohol and purified water — that's the delivery system for the herb.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Dong Quai is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Dong Quai label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Dong Quai's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 19 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Dong Quai 19 references
  1. Hirata JD, Swiersz LM, Zell B, et al. Does dong quai have estrogenic effects in postmenopausal women? A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Fertil Steril 1997;68:981-6. PubMed
  2. Page RL II, Lawrence JD. Potentiation of warfarin by dong quai. Pharmacotherapy 1999;19:870-6. PubMed
  3. Heck AM, DeWitt BA, Lukes AL. Potential interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2000;57:1221-7. DOI
  4. Eagon PK, Elm MS, Hunter DS, et al. Medicinal herbs: modulation of estrogen action. Era of Hope Mtg, Dept Defense; Breast Cancer Res Prog, Atlanta, GA 2000;Jun 8-11.
  5. Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases. Available at: http://www.ars-grin.gov/duke/.
  6. Amato P, Christophe S, Mellon PL. Estrogenic activity of herbs commonly used as remedies for menopausal symptoms. Menopause 2002;9:145-50. PubMed
  7. Shi M, Chang L, He G. [Stimulating action of Carthamus tinctorius L., Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels and Leonurus sibiricus L. on the uterus]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi 1995;20:173-5, 192.
  8. Hoult JR, Paya M. Pharmacological and biochemical actions of simple coumarins: natural products with therapeutic potential. Gen Pharmacol 1996;27:713-22.. PubMed
  9. Cheong JL, Bucknall R. Retinal vein thrombosis associated with a herbal phytoestrogen preparation in a susceptible patient. Postgrad Med J 2005;81:266-7.. PubMed
  10. Chang CJ, Chiu JH, Tseng LM, et al. Modulation of HER2 expression by ferulic acid on human breast cancer MCF7 cells. Eur J Clin Invest 2006;36:588-96. PubMed
  11. Chuang CH, Doyle P, Wang JD, et al. Herbal medicines used during the first trimester and major congenital malformations: an analysis of data from a pregnancy cohort study. Drug Saf 2006;29:537-48. PubMed
  12. Lau CBS, Ho TCY, Chan TWL, Kim SCF. Use of dong quai (Angelica sinensis) to treat peri- and postmenopausal symptoms in women with breast cancer: is it appropriate? Menopause 2005;12:734-40.
  13. Ellis GR, Stephens MR. Untitled (photograph and a brief case report). BMJ 1999;319:650.
  14. Nambiar, S., Schwartz, R. H., and Constantino, A. Hypertension in mother and baby linked to ingestion of Chinese herbal medicine. West J Med 1999;171(3):152.
  15. Lee, S. K., Cho, H. K., Cho, S. H., Kim, S. S., Nahm, D. H., and Park, H. S. Occupational asthma and rhinitis caused by multiple herbal agents in a pharmacist. Ann.Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2001;86(4):469-474. PubMed
  16. Xu, J. and Li, G. [Observation on short-term effects of Angelica injection on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with pulmonary hypertension]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 2000;20(3):187-189.
  17. Scott, G. N. and Elmer, G. W. Update on natural product--drug interactions. Am J Health Syst.Pharm 2-15-2002;59(4):339-347. PubMed
  18. Circosta, C., Pasquale, R. D., Palumbo, D. R., Samperi, S., and Occhiuto, F. Estrogenic activity of standardized extract of Angelica sinensis. Phytother.Res. 2006;20(8):665-669.
  19. Fung FY, Wong WH, Ang SK, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled study on the anti-haemostatic effects of Curcuma longa, Angelica sinensis and Panax ginseng. Phytomedicine. 2017;32:88-96. PubMed

See these in context on the Dong Quai monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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