Ligustilide

PhytochemicalPhthalide

What is it

Ligustilide is a phthalide compound found in dong quai (Angelica sinensis), lovage, and several other Apiaceae plants. It is considered one of the main active constituents of dong quai.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Menstrual support (dong quai use)

Mixed Evidence

Dong quai (containing ligustilide) is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine; high-quality controlled trials for menstrual symptoms are limited and have shown mixed results.

How it works

Ligustilide has shown vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, and mild sedative activity in preclinical studies. Its proposed mechanisms include modulation of calcium channels, inhibition of inflammatory cytokines, and effects on the central nervous system. Dong quai standardized to ligustilide content is used in traditional Chinese medicine for menstrual and circulatory complaints. Human clinical evidence specifically for isolated ligustilide is limited; most studies use the whole dong quai extract.

Dosage

Standardized dong quai extracts often provide 1-2 mg of ligustilide per dose, taken once or twice daily. Pure ligustilide doses are not well established.

When and how to take it

Take with or without food. Daily consistency matters more than time of day. Avoid combining with other anticoagulants.

1 commercial form

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Dong quai extract standardized to ligustilide

Most common commercial form.

Lipophilic; absorbed with dietary fat.

Safety

Generally tolerated at typical supplement doses. May cause mild gastrointestinal upset. The parent herb (dong quai) can have antiplatelet activity and photosensitizing potential.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Avoid with bleeding disorders or anticoagulant medications. Stop before surgery. People with hormone-sensitive conditions should consult a clinician.

Interactions

May add to the effect of anticoagulants and antiplatelet medications. Theoretical interactions with antihypertensive drugs because of vasodilatory effects.

Food sources

Celery

Amount
1 stalk
%DV
—

Lovage

Amount
1 tbsp chopped
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Is ligustilide the same as dong quai?⌄

Ligustilide is one of the main active compounds in dong quai (Angelica sinensis), but dong quai contains many other constituents. Most clinical use is of the whole extract, not isolated ligustilide.

Is ligustilide safe with blood thinners?⌄

Probably not. Dong quai and its constituents have antiplatelet activity. Combining with warfarin, DOACs, or antiplatelet medications could increase bleeding risk.

References

Ligustilide on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Ligustilide (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.