[imbackagain]

https://www.breastnexus.com/showthread.php?tid=28945&pid=202098&highlight=dong+quai#pid202098

This tells me Damiana has progesterone and Dong Quai has no hormonal effects.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16278617

This tells me Dong Quai has weak estrogen effects. 

https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hn-2080003#hn-2080003-how-it-works

This tells me Dong Quai is adaptogenic and "does not qualify as a phytoestrogen and does not appear to have any hormone-like actions in the body"

https://www.livestrong.com/article/123225-herbs-estrogen-dominance/

This tells me Damiana has anti-estrogen effects because it binds to progesterone receptors on breast cancer cells. Vitex "lessen excessive estrogen levels by at least three mechanisms"

So ultimately Dong Quai is confusing. Damiana has some potential progesterone effects. Vitex def has progesterone effects. So all three of these I will exclude from my rest week since they all potentially can cause hormone increase. Leaving Milk Thistle and Dandelion as my only off week things besides what I already have. Which is awesome because I found this tea that has both and im excited about! I prefer teas so much to extra pills... having to take the 6 in addition to the rest during the BO period is too much!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078ZZGMJV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

I think I will stick to damiana for the second half of my cycle since it has potential progesterone effects. Dong Quai I am unsure of due to potential interactions with the biloba and ginseng im taking, I may return it. Vitex is still a contender, I may order it.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9492350

This is interesting. I'm not great at reading studies but I think it says that the progesterone causing herbs helped fight breast cancer spread? I'm not sure. Interesting turmeric increases PR and ER.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11875334

This says dong quai and ginseng increase breast cancer cells?

WHY IS EVERYTHING SO CONFUSING