Sometimes called the "female ginseng," dong quai is a medicinal herb that is most commonly used to treat menstrual disorders and menopausal symptoms. Although dong quai is generally considered nontoxic and not harmful, the herb does have some side effects, particularly for people who are taking certain medications or who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult a doctor before trying any alternative remedy at home.
Photosensitivity
Dong quai may cause increased sensitivity to sunlight, also known as photosensitivity. Taking high doses of the herb may cause skin inflammation and rashes, the University of Maryland Medical Center says. Sensitivity to sunlight from dong quai use is most commonly found in fair-skinned people, the University of Michigan Health System notes. The University of Michigan cautions that people taking dong quai regularly should limit exposure to the sun or other UV light sources. People who take St. John's wort should also consult a doctor before taking dong quai, because using these two herbal remedies together can increase sensitivity to sunlight, the University of Maryland Medical Center says.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Taking dong quai herbs may also cause mild gastrointestinal upset, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center says. For this reason, people who suffer from chronic diarrhea or abdominal bloating shouldn't use the herb to avoid aggravating these conditions, the University of Maryland Medical Center says.
Hormone-Related Cancers
Although dong quai is most commonly used to treat menopausal symptoms, scientific evidence conflicts on whether the herb has estrogen-like actions, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center says. The University of Pittsburgh notes that dong quai has produced estrogen-like effects in people who have participated in clinical trials, and test-tube laboratory studies have shown that dong quai stimulates the growth of breast cancer cells. The University of Maryland Medical Center warns that people at risk of certain hormone-related cancers, such as ovarian, uterine and breast cancer, should avoid the herb because researchers haven't determined for sure whether it has estrogen-like effects. The center also cautions that drinking the essential oil of dong quai can expose a person to small amounts of cancer-causing substances.
Miscarriage
Dong quai may not be safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women. The herb can cause the uterus to contract, raising the risk for miscarriage, the University of Maryland Medical Center says. Breastfeeding mothers should avoid taking the herb, because at least one case study reported that a nursing mother and her infant both experienced elevated blood pressure, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center notes.
Drug Interactions
Dong quai can interfere with several prescription medications, so people who take certain drugs shouldn't use this herb. Dong quai interacts with blood-thinning medications such as warfarin, heparin, clopidogrel and aspirin, among others, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center says. Dong quai can essentially increase the effects of blood thinners, putting patients at risk of excessive or internal bleeding, the University of Maryland Medical Center says. For the same reason, people should avoid using dong quai while taking certain other medicinal herbs that act as blood thinners, such as Chinese skullcap, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, ginseng, licorice and turmeric. Dong quai may also interact with certain hormone medications because the herb can produce estrogen-like effects, the University of Maryland says. People who take estrogens, progesterone, oral contraceptives, raloxifene or tamoxifen should avoid this herb.
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