Fertility and Dong Quai

I thought about writing a little bit more about the herbs I took to get pregnant.
I developed for myself, a special regime I followed diligently over about two years (after that I got pregnant), including exercise and taking special vitamins, herbs, supplements and maca .

I will start today with some information on dong quai.
I was lucky to be pretty healthy, not taking any medication, therefore it was a safe choice for me.
Before start taking it, please read carefully about drug interactions and evaluate if it’s a suitable alternative for you.

Dong quai ( Angelica sinensis ) root has been used for over a thousand years as a spice, tonic, and medicine in China, Korea and Japan. Although there are few definitive studies on dong quai, it is reputed to relieve constipation, increase red blood cell count (which helps treat anemia), and provide relief from menstrual disorders such as cramps, irregular menstrual cycles, infrequent periods, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and menopausal symptoms. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is used for various purposes, including reproductive, circulatory, and respiratory conditions.

Though dong quai does not actually contain steroids or hormone molecules, one of its constituents is coumarin. Coumarin is most widely known for its use in preventing blood clotting, but constituents related to it may have numerous actions. Coumarin compounds have an anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effect, especially on the uterus.

Dong quai also contains ferulic acid, a pain reliever and muscle relaxer. Indeed, the herb is often used to treat painful menstrual cramps or other cases of uterine spasms. Oddly enough, several studies have shown that dong quai acts as a muscle relaxant overall, but before it relaxes the uterus, it stimulates the uterus briefly. The uterus is a muscle, and when dong quai stimulates it, its tone improves and it becomes tight and contracts more readily.

All muscles function better when they are well toned, and the uterus is no exception. A well-toned, strong, healthy uterus is less prone to cramps and muscle spasms. In addition to relaxing the uterus, ferulic acid also may relax the heart muscles, lower blood pressure, and calm cardiac arrhythmias (a variation in the normal rhythm of the heartbeat).

Reports and studies of possible uses of dong quai include the following:
• Menopausal symptoms - some women report relief of symptoms such as hot flashes from this medicinal herb. However, some clinical studies to date do not support the effectiveness of dong quai for menopausal symptoms.
• PMS - studies suggest that dong quai offers some value when used in conjunction with other Chinese herbs, particularly black cohosh ( Actaea racemosa ), to treat PMS.
• Anemia -there are individual reports of successful treatment of anemia using dong quai, but to date no studies verify this.
• Heart disease - when used in combination with Asian ginseng ( Panax ginseng ) and astragalus ( Astragalus membranaceus ), dong quai decreased symptoms of chest pain and improved exercise tolerance in a small group of people with heart disease.
• Stroke - a series of reports published in China indicate that the use of dong quai just after a stroke demonstrated a decrease in the amount of brain damage.
• High blood pressure - reports indicate that dong quai may lower blood pressure in some people.
• Ulcers - animal studies suggest dong quai may soothe ulcers, but studies in people are needed.

Other conditions for which dong quai has been used in people, although studies are still lacking, include:
• Constipation
• Migraine headache
• Pain
• Liver disorders
• Correct hormone imbalance
• General tonic for female reproductive system

Precautions:

Because dong quai dilates the blood vessels and improves circulation in the uterus, regular use can sometimes make menstrual flow heavier - in China, dong quai is called a “blood mover.” Many herbalists recommend stopping the use of dong quai during the actual menstrual period in women prone to heavy flow or if heavy bleeding is a concern.

Do not use dong quai if you take blood-thinning or high blood pressure medication.

Dong quai should not be used during pregnancy because it may affect the muscular functioning of the uterus. It should also be avoided by nursing mothers, because there is little information about its effect on the infant through breast milk.

Warning

Dong quai may interact with the following medications and herbs:

Warfarin
Dong quai may increase the potency and, therefore, potential risks of blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin. It should not be taken with these medicines unless you are under the supervision of a doctor.
Hormone medications
Although there is little research on the use of dong quai with hormone medications — such as estrogens, progesterones, oral contraceptives, tamoxifen or raloxifene — health care providers advise against using them together, due to the possibility of adverse effects, unless you are under the supervision of a doctor.
Blood-thinning herbs
Although reported extremely rarely and not published in the scientific literature, the practice of combining dong quai with other herbs that thin the blood could possibly increase the risk of bleeding in some people. The following herbs with this potential when combined with dong quai — and which should be used only with caution and under the supervision of a doctor include:
• Feverfew ( Tanacetum parthenium )
• Garlic ( Allium sativum )
• Ginger ( Zingiber officinale )
• Ginkgo ( Ginkgo biloba )
• Ginseng ( Panax ginseng )
• Licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra )
• Chinese skullcap ( Scutellaria baicalensis )
• Turmeric ( Curcuma longa )

Herbs or medications that cause sun sensitivity
Given that dong quai may increase your sensitivity to sunlight, you should not take it with other medications or herbs, such as St. John’s wort ( Hypericum perforatum ), that may cause the same reactions.