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Dosing
The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use, or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.
Adults (18 years and older)
Three doses of dong quai may be taken by mouth daily based on body weight, with people under 100 pounds taking 520 milligrams per dose, patients between 100-175 pounds taking 1,040 milligrams per dose, and patients over 175 pounds taking 1,560 milligrams per dose. A decoction may be prepared by mixing one teaspoon or tablespoon of cut dong quai root in one cup of hot water, simmering for 2-5 minutes, and letting it stand for 5-10 minutes before taking by mouth. One to three cups (3-15 grams of dried root) may be taken by mouth daily. The dried leaf (2-5 grams by infusion three times daily), the dried root (1-2 grams three times daily or 1-5 grams by infusion three times daily), the fluid extract (0.5-2 milliliters three times daily), the leaf liquid extract (205 milliliters,1:1 in 25 percent alcohol, three times daily), and a leaf tincture (0.5-20 milliliters three times daily, 1:5 in 45 percent alcohol) have been taken by mouth. A cup of dong quai tea may be taken by mouth 2-4 times daily (4.5-9 grams of root daily in divided doses, steeped covered for 10-20 minutes). Candied dong quai stems have been taken by mouth. A 1-15 gram dose of the whole root or root slices of dong quai has been boiled or soaked in wine and then taken by mouth daily. A 0.5-2 milliliter root tincture (1:5 in 50 percent alcohol) or 3-80 drops (1:5 concentration) have been taken by mouth up to three times daily. However, there is no proven safe or effective dose for dong quai in adults.
For general gynecological conditions, three grams of dong quai root has been taken by mouth 2-3 times daily. A dose of 1-5 grams of dong quai has been taken by mouth three times daily with meals. A dose of 3-15 grams of dong quai root has been taken by mouth daily. A dose of 4-6 fluid extract tablets (containing 0.5 grams of dong quai extract) has been taken by mouth 2-3 times daily. A dose of 1-5 milliliters of dong quai has been taken by mouth three times daily. A dose of 5-8 milliliters of 1:5 dong quai tincture has been taken by mouth three times daily. A dose of 10-40 drops of 70 percent alcohol tincture of dong quai has been taken by mouth up to three times daily. Dong quai has been taken by mouth as a 2-5 milliliter dose of 55-65 percent alcohol in a 1:5 ratio three times daily. A dose of 1-2 grams of powdered dong quai root has been taken by mouth three times daily. A 1-2 gram dose of dong quai in a tea has been taken by mouth three times daily. There is no proven safe or effective dose for dong quai in for treating gynecological conditions.
For menopausal symptoms, 4.5 grams of dong quai has been taken by mouth daily in three divided capsule doses for 24 weeks. A 3-4 gram dose of powdered dong quai root has been taken by mouth daily as an herbal extract, capsules, tablets, or a tea. A one milliliter dose of fluid extract of dong quai has been taken by mouth three times daily. A 1-2 gram dose of powdered dong quai root has been taken by mouth three times daily. However, there is no proven safe or effective dose for dong quai in for treating menopausal symptoms.
For treating menstrual cramps, one teaspoon of dong quai tincture has been taken by mouth twice daily, starting one day after menstruation ends, and discontinued as soon as menstrual bleeding commences. With a very light menstrual flow, one teaspoon of dong quai tincture has been taken by mouth every two hours. However, there is no proven safe or effective dose for dong quai in for treating menstrual cramps.
For treating premenstrual syndrome, dong quai therapy has been initiated on day 14 of the cycle and continued until menstruation begins. A 0.5 gram dose of dong quai extract has been taken by mouth twice daily. A 2-3 gram dose of dong quai capsules or tablets has been taken by mouth daily. A 4-8 milliliter dose of a 1:2 fluid extract of dong quai has been taken by mouth daily. A 1-2 gram dose of dong quai has been taken by mouth as a tea three times daily. A 2-4 milliliter dose of dong quai tincture in a 1:5 dilution has been taken by mouth up to three times daily. One-half teaspoon of dong quai has been mixed with water and taken by mouth up to four times daily. There is no proven safe or effective dose for dong quai in for treating premenstrual syndrome symptoms.
For poor circulation, one teaspoon dong quai has been mixed with one cup of water and taken by mouth 1-2 times daily. There is no proven safe or effective dose for dong quai in for treating poor circulation.
For inflammation, 10-15 drops diluted dong quai essential oil has been applied to inflamed areas. There is no proven safe or effective dose for dong quai in for treating inflammation.
For lichen planus (itchy rash on the skin or in the mouth), 1.5-2 milliliters of a 50 percent solution of dong quai has been applied to the vulva 1-2 times weekly for a total of eight doses.
Ten percent dong quai (20-40 milliliters) has been injected into the vein or artery. Five or 10 percent dong quai (0.5-1.0 milliliters) has been given at acupuncture points. There is no proven safe or effective dose for dong quai to be injected into the vein.
For cerebral ischemia (lack of blood flow to the brain), 200 milliliters of 25 percent dong quai has been injected into the vein daily for 20 days.
For high blood pressure in the lungs, 250 milliliter drippings of dong quai and 5 percent glucose have been injected into the vein daily for 10 days. A 250 milliliter dose of 25 percent dong quai has been injected into the vein daily.
For ulcerative colitis (a type of inflammatory bowel disease), 40 milliliters of dong quai produced by Pharmaceutical Factory of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University has been added to 250 milliliters of 10 percent glucose drip and given by vein once daily for three weeks.
Children (under 18 years old)
There is no proven safe or effective dose for dong quai in children.
THE NATURAL STANDARD RESEARCH COLLABORATION
(www.naturalstandard.com)
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