Functional ovarian cysts, a fairly common problem, are sacs filled with fluid that form on or near an ovary. During your menstrual cycle each month, an egg is ovulated. If an egg fails to ovulate, a cyst may form. Functional ovarian cysts usually dissolve within 8 to 12 weeks and require no treatment. While symptomatic cysts, characterized by severe pain, irregular bleeding and loss of appetite, require a visit to your doctor, practitioners of alternative medicine claim that the herb dong quai may ease the pain of functional ovarian cysts. However, due to safety concerns and complicated and unsubstantiated evidence of dong quai's efficacy, consult your physician before use.
Dong Quai 101
Indigenous to the mountainous regions of southwestern China and Japan, dong quai, also known as Angelica sinensis, reaches heights of up to 6 feet and has large leaves, hollow stems, clusters of white flowers and winged fruits. The fragrant perennial's thick roots constitute the source of its medicinal potency. One of the oldest therapeutic agents in traditional Chinese medicine, dong quai has numerous applications, including use as a remedy for circulatory, respiratory and female conditions such as menopause, premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea, or pain during menstruation.
Dong Quai and Ovarian Cysts
Phyllis A. Balch, certified nutritional consultant and author of the book "Prescription for Herbal Healing," claims that herbal experts agree that dong quai helps relieve the pain of ovarian cysts. While no reliable scientific proof backs that up, the female reproductive hormone estrogen helps to regulate ovulation. When normal levels of estrogen become low, eumenol, a plant extract of dong quai, may help produce weak estrogen-like effects in your body. Practitioners of herbal medicine theorize that this effect may facilitate ovulation, resulting in a reduction of functional ovarian cysts. The Mayo Clinic cautions, however, "It remains unclear if dong quai has the same effects on the body as estrogens, blocks the activity of estrogens, or has no significant hormonal effects. Additional research is necessary in this area before a firm conclusion can be drawn."
Dosage
You can purchase dong quai in liquid extract and tincture preparations, but little reliable information exists regarding proper dosages. Dr. Heather Boon, licensed pharmacist and author of the book "55 Most Common Medicinal Herbs," suggests taking 3 g to 10 g of the raw herb daily. Balch recommends a daily dose of 500 mg to 1,000 mg of capsules filled with freeze-dried root for pain associated with ovarian cysts. Balch says to take the herb for the two weeks following your period, then discontinue for two weeks.
Adverse Effects
Several safety concerns surround the use of dong quai. Although generally recognized as safe in small doses, a lack of reliable evidence exists to determine its safety after prolonged or repeated use. According to MedlinePlus, cancer-causing chemicals contained in dong quai make it potentially unsafe when taken in large amounts over long periods of time. Since dong quai contains substances that may induce photosensitivity, limit sun exposure. It also contains the active ingredients psoralens and safrole, which appear to act as carcinogens in high doses. Children and pregnant and nursing women should refrain from using the herb. Avoid dong quai if you have herpes, as it can lower your body's defenses against the virus. Also, do not use dong quai as a remedy for insufficient menstrual flow, as it can further reduce flow.
References
- PubMed Health: Ovarian Cysts
- Mayo Clinic: Dong Quai
- "Prescription for Herbal Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch; 2002
- "55 Most Common Medcinal Herbs"; Heather Boon, B.Sc.Phm, Ph.D., et al; 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Dong Quai
- MedlinePLus: Dong Quai
Member Comments