What is it used for?
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to invigorate and tonify the blood [Source note 2].
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to harmonize the blood [Source note 3].
For multi-ingredient products:
To prevent the product from being represented as a "traditional medicine", any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific active ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g. Dong quai is used in Traditional Chinese medicine to invigorate and tonify the blood).
When ALL of the active ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required
What this guide covers
Products making any Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) claim must be prepared according to the most recent version of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (e.g. identification criteria, processing methods, methods of preparation).
Restrictions when this reference is combined with other references (source review category II and III):
Specific combination rules apply to active ingredients with estrogenic (e.g., red clover isoflavone extract, soybean extracts and isolates and dong quai - Angelica sinensis) or anti-estrogenic effects [e.g., indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and, diindolylmethane (DIM)]. Consult the reference combination guide for more information.
Who does this guide cover?
Adults 18 years and older
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
Methods or preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract*, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)
4.5 - 15 grams of dried root, per day [Source note 4].
The root may also be ‘prepared’ as per the specific TCM methods of preparation for Dong quai root described in TCM reference texts (e.g. dry-fried; stir-baked or dry-fried with wine/grain based liquor/vinegar; charred; etc.) [Source note 5].
*Solvents allowed for the method of preparation "Non-standardized extracts (Dry extract)" as part of this reference are ethanol and/or water only.
How is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
How long is it used?
Ask a healthcare professional for use beyond 6 months [Source note 6].
Warnings and precautions
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are breastfeeding [Source note 7].
Ask a healthcare professional prior to use if you are taking any medications including blood thinners, birth control pills or hormone therapy [Source note 8].
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have serious or major conditions, any type of acute infection, deficiency or excess [Source note 9].
When using this product avoid exposure to the sun [Source note 10].
When should it be avoided?
Do not use if you are pregnant [Source note 11].
Do not use if you have diarrhea, hemorrhagic diseases or heavy periods (NS 2021, Bensky et al. 2004; Chen and Chen 2004; WHO 2002).
Possible side effects
Stop use and ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen, or if new symptoms develop such as breast pain or any changes in menstrual cycles [Source note 12].
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angelica sinensis |
| Angelica sinensis | Root | Dry |
References: Proper name: USDA 2023; Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Common names: USDA 2023; NS 2021; PPRC 2020; Gardner and McGuffin 2013; derMarderosian and Beutler 2010; Bensky et al. 2004; Chen and Chen 2004; Source information: PPRC 2020; Bensky et al. 2004; Chen and Chen 2004.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance. Note that if the ingredient is prepared according to the most recent version of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the quality requirements must meet or exceed those described in the source authority Quality Guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- May 29, 2026
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
Taking a medication too?
Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.