- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Southwest China (Yunnan)
- Traditions
- Chinese medical traditions
Asia · Herb · № 638
Panax notoginseng
Herb · Asia
Notoginseng (san qi)
Panax notoginseng
Traditionally attributed effects: purifies the blood and improves circulation, stops bleeding, soothes pain and helps bruises and swellings recover.
Safety notes
Not during pregnancy. Caution with blood thinners and before surgery. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Chinese food therapy: Not during pregnancy.
- Chinese materia medica: Not during pregnancy; caution with blood or yin deficiency. Clots and bleeding are medical emergencies: this herb does not replace treatment. Consult your doctor if you take blood thinners.
Preparation
Dried root, in soup or as a powder.
Use in traditions
A classic Chinese remedy for injuries; Yunnan is regarded as the origin of the best quality.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Chinese food therapy
Attributed effects
Adults take the soup for skin, mind and strength; traditionally it is also given to growing teenagers.
Caution: Not during pregnancy.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- sweet, slightly bitter, warm
- Meridians
- liver, stomach
Attributed effects
San qi (tian qi) stops bleeding and at the same time dissolves clots and bruises, and reduces swelling and pain in bruises, sprains, fractures and joint pain from blood stagnation. It supports circulation to the heart.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 1–9 g a day, as a powder 1–3 g. Known as an ingredient of the patent remedy Yunnan Bai Yao for injuries. The book mentions use in Crohn's disease and in dangerous blood clots; we deliberately do not include the latter.
Caution: Not during pregnancy; caution with blood or yin deficiency. Clots and bleeding are medical emergencies: this herb does not replace treatment. Consult your doctor if you take blood thinners.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Powder and kitchen
- Recipes
- Chicken soup with tian qi
- Formulas
- Shu jin san