What is the active ingredient of dong quai?
Dong quai has been put under chemical investigation, and the herb is now known to possess at least seven different coumarin derivatives, these include the chemical compound oxypeucedanin, the compound osthole, the compound imperatorin, the compound psoralen, and bergapten-all of these compounds were present in the dong quai samples. The majority of chemical coumarins or its derivatives have known actions as vasodilators and antispasmodics in the human body, at the same time, a few of the others, such as the compound osthole, induce a stimulating effect on the central nervous system in the human body. The very presence of these chemical compounds therefore, accounts for at least some of the purported activities ascribed to dong quai.
How is dong quai?
Utilizing large and heavy doses of these coumarins often have harmful effects on the body, and it is known that some of the furo-coumarins, like the compound psoralen and the compound bergapten, may induce dermatitis in individuals exposed to them, due to the process of photosensitization which occurs because of their presence in the body. Unnecessary exposure of the human body to these compounds is undesirable according to studies done in the year 1981, during the course of which the researchers came to the conclusion that these so-called psoralens present very significant and sufficient risks to humans. Recommendation of very large amounts of the furo-coumarin-containing medications such as the dong quai is not made to treat patients for this very reason. At the same time, the absence of substantial clinical evidence in the Western scientific literature which may support the effectiveness of dong quai in the treatment of various conditions for which it is indeed suggested, also limits the use of this herbal remedy. For example, in the only reported U.S. based study on the potential effects of the dong quai on alleviating postmenopausal symptoms-including physical symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes-found the herbal remedy equal in effectiveness to a placebo given to the test subjects. However, in traditional Chinese medicine, the dong quai remains as one of the most widely suggested medications and consequently, the remedy is far more popular in usage to other well known herbs such as the ginseng-which is quite well known in the western world. Various combinations of the dong quai with other herbs is the general prescribed avenue for patients and the herb is almost never used alone in most herbal medical systems. Further clinical studies are required on the potential benefits of this herb, before full acceptance in Western societies can be realized, and many controlled clinical studies still have to follow with regard to this herb. The use of this herb as a therapeutic agent has little basis and till such times.
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