Interested in using dong quai for PTSD as a natural alternative to medication? While traditional treatment can be effective, pharmaceutical options come with side effects and unwanted risks, which is why some people look to herbal remedies. Dong quai may help ease certain PTSD-related symptoms, such as stress and inflammation, but there isn’t enough research yet to confirm it works.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder that follows a traumatic event, so it’s important to understand both the potential benefits and the risks before trying it.
Key Highlights
- Potential symptom relief – Dong quai may help ease PTSD-related symptoms like stress, panic attacks, and brain inflammation.
- Limited research – There isn’t enough research to confirm dong quai can actually treat PTSD.
- Safety and dosage – It can interact with blood thinners and cause side effects like drowsiness and nausea, so don’t exceed 3000mg daily.
Table of Contents
What is Dong Quai?
Dong quai, also known as Angelica Sinensis, is an herb indigenous to China, Japan, and North/South Korea. In these regions, the root has been utilized in traditional medicine for centuries. In the West, dong quai is a food additive or flavoring. ¹
As more Westerners start to embrace traditional herbal supplements, dong quai has been brought into question.
Dong quai has been found to act upon estrogen and other hormones within animals. While there’s no indication it does so in humans, many scientists agree it probably has a similar effect.
This effect is reported to help in the relief of various conditions, including:
- Heart complications
- Menopause
- Premature ejaculation
- Renal insufficiency
Dong Quai may also act as an antioxidant, which can help fight against cancer and HIV/AIDS. ²
Can You Use Dong Quai for PTSD?
Dong Quai may help relieve certain symptoms of PTSD, including: ³ ⁴
- Adrenal gland response
- Brain inflammation
- Nervous system control and management
- Panic attacks and stress
What Does the Research Say?
Research has found that dong quai reduces inflammation in the brain and helps regulate nervous system and adrenal gland responses. Both properties are essential to relieve PTSD symptoms. However, there isn’t enough research to confirm it can help you.
The only published confirmation comes from a surgeon’s guide. It reports that dong quai has anti-inflammatory properties that can positively impact the nervous system. ⁵
Due to this lack of evidence, some herbalists may suggest you use dong quai alongside other natural treatment remedies.
Dong Quai Dosage Recommendation
There’s no established dose of dong quai for PTSD, since it hasn’t been studied for this condition in humans. The amount people take depends on the form, and most of the guidance comes from traditional use and general supplement labels. The most common forms include:
| Form | Typical Amount | How Often | Notes |
| Capsules/Tablets | 500mg per serving | Up to 6 times daily | Most popular option. Total should not exceed 3000 mg per day. Strengths vary (many are 250 mg to 520 mg per capsule). |
| Extracts | 100mg to 500mg per serving | Varies by product | Some are standardized to 1% ligustilide. Follow the label and stay within the 3000 mg daily limit. |
| Tinctures | Varies by product; one label lists 0.7 mL (about 21 drops) | 3 times daily | This label’s concentration is 250mg per mL. Always follow your product’s description. |
| Edibles/Teas | No standard dose | Varies | Strength varies widely, so it’s hard to know how much dong quai you’re getting. |
Most people take dong quai in capsules, averaging 500mg per serving, three to six times daily. However, it’s strongly recommended you do not exceed 3000mg daily. Its long-term safety isn’t clear, so avoid it if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, and talk to your doctor first if you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder.
Dong Quai Side Effects
When combined with certain heart medications (like blood thinners), dong quai may cause mild to moderate interactions. On top of this, it may also interact with the following:
- Anamu
- Dashen
- Devils claw
- Green tea
- Tumeric
- St. John’s Wort
Furthermore, dong quai holds the potential to produce the following side effects: ⁶
- Drowsiness
- Headaches
- Increased sensitivity to sunlight
- Lower blood sugar
- Sweating
- Trouble with sleep
- Upset stomach/nausea
While less common, dong quai may produce more severe side effects. If you experience the following from dong quai, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible:
- Difficulty breathing
- Dramatic drops in blood pressure
- Increased bleeding risk (especially if the patient is on blood thinners)
- Vision loss
Final Word
Dong quai may ease certain PTSD symptoms, like stress and inflammation, but there isn’t enough research to confirm it works. It can also interact with blood thinners and other herbs, and it isn’t safe for everyone, including people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you’re considering dong quai for PTSD, talk with your doctor first and don’t use it in place of proven treatments like therapy or prescribed medication.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best treatment for PTSD?
Trauma-focused therapy is the first-line treatment in most guidelines. This includes cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure, and EMDR. Medications like sertraline and paroxetine are also FDA-approved for PTSD and may be used alongside therapy.
Is it safe to take dong quai with PTSD medication?
There isn’t much research on how dong quai interacts with PTSD medications, including antidepressants. Dong quai also interacts with some herbs and drugs, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist before combining them, and don’t stop prescribed medication on your own.
Is dong quai safe to take every day?
Short-term daily use is considered safe for most adults. Long-term safety isn’t well established, and taking large amounts for a long time may be unsafe. If you plan to take it daily, check with your doctor first.
Who should not take dong quai?
Avoid dong quai if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, have a bleeding disorder or heavy periods, or have a hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer. It’s also typically stopped before surgery, and people allergic to carrots, celery, or parsley should be cautious.
Does dong quai help with PTSD-related anxiety?
It’s unclear. Most of the research on dong quai and anxiety-like symptoms comes from animal studies, and there are no reliable human trials for PTSD. It shouldn’t be used in place of proven treatments.
References
¹ Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006–. Dong Quai. 2021 May 17. PMID: 30000896.
² “Dong Quai” or “Angelica sinensis”. Posit Health News. 1998 Fall;(No 17):15-6. PMID: 11366544.
³ Shen J, Zhang J, Deng M, Liu Y, Hu Y, Zhang L. The Antidepressant Effect of Angelica sinensis Extracts on Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress-Induced Depression Is Mediated via the Upregulation of the BDNF Signaling Pathway in Rats. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:7434692. doi: 10.1155/2016/7434692. Epub 2016 Aug 25. PMID: 27642354; PMCID: PMC5014956.
⁴ Yeh TS, Huang CC, Chuang HL, Hsu MC. Angelica sinensis improves exercise performance and protects against physical fatigue in trained mice. Molecules. 2014 Mar 31;19(4):3926-39. doi: 10.3390/molecules19043926. PMID: 24691065; PMCID: PMC6271504.
⁵ Tessier DJ, Bash DS. A surgeon’s guide to herbal supplements. J Surg Res. 2003 Sep;114(1):30-6. doi: 10.1016/s0022-4804(03)00130-6. PMID: 13678695.
⁶ Al-Bareeq RJ, Ray AA, Nott L, Pautler SE, Razvi H. Dong Quai (angelica sinensis) in the treatment of hot flashes for men on androgen deprivation therapy: results of a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial. Can Urol Assoc J. 2010 Feb;4(1):49-53. doi: 10.5489/cuaj.775. PMID: 20165579; PMCID: PMC2811999.
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