Dong Quai Extract Drug Interactions

Dong Quai Extract Drug Interactions

While dong quai extract is highly recommended by herbalists as a treatment for menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, fatigue, mood swings, night sweats, or insomnia, before taking it you should also be aware of the side effects of dong quai extract and the drug interactions of this medicinal herb.

Side Effects

Warning: never drink the essential oil of Dong Quai because it contains a small amount of cancer-causing substances.

Avoid taking dong quai if you have been told that you are at risk of developing hormone-related cancers, including breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers. There is the chance that it can act like estrogen in the body.

Yes, there are also arguments on the opposite side of the coin that say that dong quai is helpful in protecting against or curing certain cancers, but that hasn't been proven, so you shouldn't accept any advice like that as fact.

Deal only with the facts when it comes to Dong Quai or any other medicinal herb, and rely on your doctor's judgment as well. Throw in a healthy dose of your own common sense and you should be just fine.

Taken in especially high doses, dong quai has the potential to increase sensitivity to sunlight and cause skin inflammation and rashes, along with severe burning.

Keep out of the sun while taking dong quai or use a sunscreen.

This herb may be dangerous during pregnancy. Do not use dong quai during pregnancy under any circumstances. It could cause the uterus to contract and cause a miscarriage.  It is also a fact that nursing mothers should not take dong quai because it is not known if it is safe to take at this time.

Interactions

Dong quai extract may interact with the following medications and herbs:

Anticoagulants (blood-thinners)

Dong quai extract may interact with these drugs, making their effects more powerful, and thus increasing the risk of bleeding.  One of these drugs is Warfarin (Coumadin).

The above also applies if you use Dong Quai with any of the herbs listed below:

• Feverfew
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Ginkgo
• Ginseng
• Licorice
• Chinese skullcap
• Tumeric

If you feel you absolutely have to take Dong Quai with any of these herbs then consult with your doctor.

Hormone Medications

Since there is extremely little research available on using Dong Quai with hormone medications, for example, estrogen, progesterone, oral contraceptives, tamoxifen, or raloxifene (Evista), you should exert caution and not take it with hormone medications unless supervised by your doctor.

St. John's Wort

Both Dong Quai and St. John's wort have the capacity to increase sensitivity to sunlight, resulting in everything from sunburn to rashes.  Do not take them together without first talking to your doctor.  And while it's better to avoid going into the sun altogether if you do take these herbs together, if you must, at least use sun protection.

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