As modern women increasingly prioritize hormonal balance and care during menstruation and menopause, the popularity of natural herbal ingredients has surged. According to the *Global Dong Quai Market Report 2025-2034* by Dataintelo, the global Dong Quai market was valued at US$219.4 million in 2025 and is projected to reach US$392.1 million by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 6.8%. The women's health sector accounts for the largest share of applications, representing 38.5% of total revenue.

Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels) is a perennial herb belonging to the Apiaceae family. Its medicinal use was first documented in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (The Classic of Herbal Medicine). This herb has a warm nature and a sweet, pungent taste, and acts on the Heart, Liver, and Spleen meridians. It is traditionally used to nourish and invigorate blood, regulate menstruation, relieve pain, and moisten the intestines to promote bowel movements. It serves as both a major Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herb and a widely used nutritional ingredient with dual medicinal and dietary applications.

The benefits of Dong Quai for women's health stem from several functional active compounds:

Dong Quai polysaccharides: Key water-soluble active ingredients that play a vital role in blood nourishment, immune regulation, and metabolism.

Volatile oils: The source of Dong Quai's distinctive aroma, ligustilide constitutes over 50% of the total volatile oil content and serves as a characteristic marker compound.

Organic acids: Among the first active components identified and isolated from Dong Quai, notably, ferulic acid exhibits excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping to mitigate oxidative metabolic damage.

Dong Quai also contains phytoestrogen-like active components that can bind to estrogen receptors, buffer hormonal fluctuations, and alleviate physical discomfort associated with premenstrual syndrome and menopause, making it a staple ingredient in herbal formulations for women.

• Gently Regulates Endocrine Balance and Supports Female Physiological Health

Angelica sinensis (Dong Quai) regulates the female endocrine environment through synergistic, multi-target actions. It maintains normal uterine function and helps regulate irregular menstrual cycles. Pharmacological studies indicate that Angelica polysaccharides and ferulic acid work synergistically to improve both systemic and pelvic blood circulation, accelerate the recovery of *Qi* and blood during menstruation, and alleviate lower abdominal bloating and pain caused by blood stagnation.

A randomized controlled clinical trial involving 72 subjects with primary dysmenorrhea (characterized by *Qi* and blood stagnation) utilized *Danggui Shaoyao San* (Angelica and Peony Powder) as an intervention over three consecutive menstrual cycles. Results showed significant reductions in dysmenorrhea symptom scores and levels of serum PGF₂α and COX-2, along with marked improvement in pain symptoms, no significant adverse reactions were observed throughout the trial.

• Regulates Bone Metabolism Homeostasis and Supports Skeletal Health

Post-menopausal estrogen decline disrupts the dynamic balance between bone formation and bone resorption, leading to accelerated bone loss, increased skeletal fragility, and a significantly higher risk of osteoporosis.

Ligustilide, a characteristic active ingredient in Angelica sinensis, activates the GPER (G protein-coupled estrogen receptor) pathway. While it downregulates the expression of key genes such as RANK and NFATc1 (inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and reducing bone resorption), it also induces osteogenic differentiation and promotes the synthesis of bone matrix and collagen, thereby bi-directionally regulating bone metabolism homeostasis. This effect is mediated by the GPER membrane receptor, independent of classical nuclear estrogen receptor activation, and does not cause fluctuations in endogenous estrogen levels, ensuring a favorable safety profile.

As your trusted supplier of natural ingredients, Naturalin Agricultural specializes in the standardized cultivation of high-quality Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbs and the production of botanical extracts. We offer Angelica sinensis products in various forms—including whole roots, slices, milled powders, and standardized extracts—suitable for applications such as women's dietary supplements, functional foods, herbal teas, and skincare products. We also provide customized solutions tailored to specific client needs. Please contact us for further information!

References:

[1] Zhang Yang, Liu Yi. Research progress on the chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, common compatibility, and clinical applications of Angelica sinensis [J]. Henan Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2026, 46(6).

[2] Li Min, Guo Miao, Zhai Fengxia, et al. Clinical efficacy of Danggui Shaoyao San in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea [J]. World Chinese Medicine, 2023, 18(14): 2025-2029.

[3] Cui Jie, Li Mengyu, Liu Yutong, et al. Ligustilide inhibits RANKL-induced differentiation of RAW264.7 cells into osteoclasts and its mechanism related to GPER [J]. Journal of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 2021, 37(4): 514-520.