Sān Qī · Notoginseng Root
Sān Qī (三七, Notoginseng Root) is a herb of Warm nature and Sweet, Bitter flavor, in the “Blood Moving” category. Tradition uses it to stop Bleeding, Invigorate Blood, Reduce Swelling.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Sān Qī
- Characters
- 三七
- Botanical name
- Panax notoginseng (Burkill) F.H.Chen
- Family
- Araliaceae
- Part used
- Root
- Nature
- Warm
- Flavor
- Sweet, Bitter
- Meridians
- Liver, Stomach
- Category
- Blood Moving
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- Avoid
- Origin
- China (Yunnan), Japan
Actions according to tradition
- Stop Bleeding
- Invigorate Blood
- Reduce Swelling
- Relieve Pain
Traditional uses
- Internal and external bleeding (hematemesis, hematuria, epistaxis)
- Traumatic injuries, contusions, and fractures
- Chest pain and angina from blood stasis
- Postpartum blood stasis with abdominal pain
- Bleeding from surgery or wounds
Studied effects and current applications
- Simultaneously stops bleeding and transforms blood stasis
- Reduces pain and swelling from trauma and injury
- Promotes healing of wounds and bruises
- Improves coronary blood circulation
- Protects against platelet aggregation
Applications under investigation
- Cardiovascular disease and angina
- Traumatic injury recovery
- Post-surgical healing
- Cerebrovascular conditions and stroke prevention
- Liver disease and cirrhosis
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Pregnancy
- Active bleeding without blood stasis
- 2 weeks before surgery
Relative contraindications
- Blood deficiency without stasis
- Concurrent anticoagulant therapy
- Pregnancy
- Strongly contraindicated in pregnancy. Can cause miscarriage.
- Breastfeeding
- Insufficient data. Use with caution.
- Children
- Not recommended for children except in specific acute injury situations under supervision.
- Older adults
- Excellent for elderly cardiovascular disease but monitor for excessive anticoagulation.
Possible adverse effects
- Possible allergic reactions
- Mild rash
- Nausea in some individuals
When to stop
- Before surgery (2 weeks)
- If bleeding increases
- Pregnancy
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anticoagulants | Warfarin, Heparin, Rivaroxaban | Severe | Additive anticoagulant effect - serious bleeding risk Avoid combination or monitor INR extremely carefully |
| Antiplatelet drugs | Aspirin, Clopidogrel, Ticagrelor | Severe | Additive antiplatelet effect - increased bleeding risk Avoid combination before surgery |
| NSAIDs | Ibuprofen, Naproxen | Moderate | Combined antiplatelet effects Use cautiously together |
| Diabetes medications | Insulin, Metformin | Mild | May enhance blood glucose lowering Monitor blood glucose |
Reference dose
- Powder
- 1-3 grams daily (key form)
- Extract
- 200-400mg standardized extract daily
- Acute use
- 1-4 weeks for injury
- Chronic use
- 1-3 months for cardiovascular
- Maximum
- 3-6 months continuous then break
- Children
- Not recommended in children except under specialist supervision.
Forms of preparation
Swallow 1-3g raw powder with warm water. For trauma: take immediately.
Acute injury, bleeding, trauma
Simmer 3-9g in 3 cups water 30 min when used in formulas.
Combined cardiovascular formulas
Steep 30g in 500ml rice wine for 3-4 weeks. Take 1-2 tsp daily.
Traumatic injury recovery, circulation
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Notoginsenosides (damanian saponins) and dencichina
Damanum saponin exclusive to P. notoginseng · Hemostatic, vasoprotective, cardioprotective
Thrombin receptor activation, vascular permeability reduction, PI3K/AKT activation · 0.5-1.5%; differentiating marker of P. notoginseng
Ginseng saponins (common with ginseng) · Cardioprotective, neuroprotective, antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory
Blood viscosity reduction, post-ischemic neuroprotection, NF-κB modulation · 2-5% in root (Rg1 and Rb1 as majority)
Non-protein amino acid · Hemostatic
Stimulation of platelet aggregation, activation of extrinsic coagulation pathway · 0.05-0.1% (neurotoxic at very high doses)
Flavonols · Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiaggregant
Radical scavenging, cyclooxygenase inhibition · 0.05-0.2%
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- Autumn (October-November), 3-7 year old plants
Roots harvested in autumn from 3-7 year old plants. Unflowered plants are preferred for maximum concentration of notoginsensosides. Yunnan province is the main producer.
Root washed and dried whole or ground into fine powder. Powder is the most used form. The entire root is very hard and difficult to cut; It is usually sprayed directly.
Root or powder fried in sesame oil until crispy and dark. Processing reduces the hemostatic action and makes the herb more toning.
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
