The Chinese use dong quai to treat a variety of female problems including irregular or difficult menstruation , PMS, menopausal symptoms and even weakness following childbirth. It has antispasmodic properties that can help relieve menstrual cramps . Practitioners also prescribe dong quai as a general remedy for women who complain of lack of energy, whether or not they have specific gynecological problems. And because of its reputation as a sex enhancer, dong quai is one of the most widely used herbs among Chinese women. It is also frequently prescribed as a strengthening treatment for the heart, spleen, liver and kidneys.
Men can also use it as a general blood tonic.
How much of this is actually true, I don't know, as a 1997 study to evaluate possible estrogenic effects of dong quai on vaginal cells and on endometrial thickness in postmenopausal women concluded that, used alone, dong quai does not produce such effects and was not helpful in relieving menopausal symptoms. Nevertheless, it sounds as if it's working for you, so stay with it. For those unfamiliar with dong quai, you'll find it most often sold as encapsulated extracts. The usual dose is one or two capsules two to three times a day. If you can get powdered root from a Chinese apothecary, then mix it as a tea adding three to six teaspoons of powdered root to a pint of boiling water.