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Evidence

DISCLAIMER: These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Amenorrhea (lack of menstrual period): There is limited poor-quality study of Dong quai as a part of herbal combinations given for amenorrhea. Additional research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn.
Grade: C

Angina pectoris / coronary artery disease: There is insufficient evidence to support the use of Dong quai for the treatment of heart disease.
Grade: C

Arthritis: Dong quai is traditionally used in the treatment of arthritis. However, there is insufficient reliable human evidence to recommend the use of Dong quai alone or in combination with other herbs for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Grade: C

Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation): There are unclear results of preliminary, poor-quality human research of Dong quai in combination with other herbs for dysmenorrhea. Reliable scientific evidence for Dong quai alone in humans with dysmenorrhea is currently not available.
Grade: C

Glomerulonephritis: There is insufficient evidence to support the use of Dong quai as a treatment for kidney diseases such as glomerulonephritis. Preliminary poor-quality research of Dong quai in combination with other herbs reports unclear results.
Grade: C

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP): A poor-quality study reports benefits of Dong quai in patients diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). However, these patients were not compared to individuals who were not receiving Dong quai, and therefore the results can only be considered preliminary.
Grade: C

Menstrual migraine headache: The effects of Dong quai alone for this condition are not clear, and further research is necessary before a clear conclusion can be reached.
Grade: C

Nerve pain: There is insufficient evidence to support the use of Dong quai as a treatment for neuropathic pain. High-quality human research is lacking.
Grade: C

Pulmonary hypertension : It remains unclear if Dong quai is beneficial for other causes of pulmonary hypertension. Further research is needed before a recommendation can be made.
Grade: C

Menopausal symptoms: Dong quai is used in traditional Chinese formulas for menopausal symptoms. It has been proposed that Dong quai may contain "phytoestrogens" (chemicals with estrogen-like effects in the body). However, it remains unclear from laboratory studies if Dong quai has the same effects on the body as estrogens, blocks the activity of estrogens, or has no significant effect on estrogens.
Grade: D

Tradition

WARNING: DISCLAIMER: The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.