My Take on Dong Quai: Benefits, Risks, and Why I Don’t Recommend It Long-Term

Hi everyone, I’m Coach Xavi, and in today’s article, I want to share some thoughts on a supplement that you might not hear about often in the male enhancement space: Dong Quai (also known as Angelica sinensis).

This herbal extract comes from high-altitude regions of China and has long been used in traditional Eastern medicine. It’s often praised for its benefits to female hormonal health, but some claims suggest it may also support men’s sexual health. As always, I’m here to give you the full picture—not just the marketing pitch.

Dong Quai: The Potential Benefits

Dong Quai is known to contain ferulic acid, a strong antioxidant that may support sperm quality and mobility. It also appears to have oxytocin-boosting properties, which could contribute to increased sperm volume. Some researchers link high oxytocin levels to a condition called hyperspermia—essentially, producing an unusually high amount of ejaculate.

Other possible upsides?

• Mild estrogenic regulation (via phytoestrogens)

• Anxiolytic effects (helping reduce stress or nervousness)

• Vasodilation (improved blood flow), thanks to a compound called coumarin, which could mean stronger erections for some users

But let me be very clear: while these effects sound appealing, they come with serious caveats.

The Risks You Need to Know

First of all, Dong Quai contains phytoestrogens. These are plant compounds that act like estrogen in the body—similar to what you'd find in soy. While small doses might help regulate hormones, too much can disrupt testosterone production and throw off your hormonal balance.

That’s why I never recommend taking Dong Quai daily. A low intake—maybe once or twice a week, at most—could be okay. But making it a regular part of your stack? Not smart if you’re trying to optimize testosterone.

Then there's coumarin. It’s a vasodilator, yes, but it also slows blood clotting. If you’re on anticoagulants, blood pressure meds, or taking other supplements like ginkgo, ginseng, or nitrates, this can pose real risks to your cardiovascular system.

And finally, there’s safrole (or safrol, depending on the translation). Along with coumarin, safrole has been linked in some studies to carcinogenic effects. It’s not fully confirmed, but it’s concerning enough that I strongly advise against using Dong Quai during high sun exposure seasons (spring/summer) due to coumarin’s photosensitizing effect.

My Recommendation

Some brands sell capsules with around 200mg of powdered root and 50mg of extract. Personally, I think that’s too high for consistent use. If you do try it, keep it under 150mg per day, no more than two times per week, and never for more than six months straight.

In my opinion, Dong Quai doesn’t offer enough proven benefit for men to justify the risk. The only real unique upside is the oxytocin-related sperm production effect. If that’s your goal, there may be a place for it in very short-term cycles.

But if you're looking for libido boosters or testosterone enhancers? Trust me, there are safer and more effective alternatives out there.

Stay smart with your stack. I’ll see you next time.

— Coach Xavi