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[sammy]

My friends recommend me to try dong quai.  They are very kind, Asian, amd many of their family members took this with good results.  So, one friend bought it for me and prepared it today. 

It is a dry root, sliced to thin slivers.  A few pieces of the root were then boiled until the water reduced to about 1/3 of the original amount.  I have the resulting "tea" in my fridge now.  I will drink some timorrow, hoping it will suit me.  They told me I can biol it along with red dates or goji berry, but we just did the dong quai by itself this time.

Has anyone tried this?  I was told all the ladies in Hong Kong use dong quai in this way and it helps them.  Any comments or advice?

[rosebud57]

Hi sammy,

I have not come across this one before but Dr. Google found this for me.

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-936-dong%20quai.aspx?activeingredientid=936&activeingredientname=dong%20quai

I hope this helps.

P.S. I read you post this morning but did not have time to reply straight away.  Then when I came back a had trouble finding it.  This shows how much easier it would be if we had a dedicated 'alternatives section'.

[sammy]

Thanks Rosebud. I've seen data that shows DQ does nothing. However since I have many friends from Asia they tell me differently. In fact I have heard from several sources that almost all Chinese woman will consume DQ at some point in their lives.

I am a very western medicine girl. Not inclined to alternative therapies. But this menopause has brought me into a different mindset. I did not really get on with HRT. The progesterone made me sick.

So I'll give this a try. Hope it doesn't hurt much 

[Hurdity]

Hi sammy

The alternatives to HRT are summarised in this leaflet here:
https://www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/patients/patient-information-leaflets/gynaecology/pi-alternatives-to-hormone-replacement-therapy-for-symptoms-of-the-menopause.pdf and a full paper here:
https://www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/scientific-impact-papers/sip_6.pdf

As you have already found out, from what it says there doesn't seem to be any evidence (yet) that it works (for menopause), and of course no amount of personal testimony from your friends - can say otherwise as properly conducted trials are needed.

However - the main thing is to ensure that it is not harmful if used - and whether there are any trials about this too? Many supplements don't have information about long term use despite years of being taken traditionally. Personally I would say that teas are the best way to take any herb or supplment like this because at least the active ingredient, whatever it is, has not been extracted and concentrated! Therefore why not have a go, as long as it is not expensive!! I'm sure there will be some health benefits, even if not for menopause specifically.

Sorry to hear about the progesterone in HRT making you sick - there are other ways of taking it if you ever decide to reconsider 

Hurdity x

[honeybun]

Chinese medicine has been used since God was a boy. Doesn't mean to say that you don't have to be careful but if this comes recommended by friends then it's always worth a try.

As rosebud says it would be much easier if we had a dedicated alternatives section as many on the forum are very scientifically based.
Its not the most popular of options.

If you do decide to try then please tell us how it works for you because many women on the forum have a great interest in alternative methods.
Good luck and I hope it works for you.


Honeybun
X

[CLKD]

What's it have in it?  Do your friends use it for menopausal symptoms or as a general tonic …….. do they drink it from an early age …………