Notoginseng Radix Et Rhizoma
Aliases：Jinbuhuan, Tianqi, Renshen Sanqi, Shanqi, Xueshen, San Sanqi
Sanqi (Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma), a Chinese medicinal, is the dried root and rhizome of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen, a plant of the Araliaceae family.
Efficacy & Actions
Disperse stasis and stop bleeding, reduce swelling and relieve pain.
Indications
Various bleeding disorders: Hemoptysis, hematemesis, epistaxis, hematochezia, flooding and spotting (metrorrhagia), traumatic bleeding, etc. Blood stasis with swelling and pain: Stabbing pain in the chest and abdomen, traumatic swelling and pain, etc. Modern applications: Adjuvant therapy for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cerebral infarction, etc.
Modern Pharmacology
Hemostatic effect: It exerts hemostatic action by increasing platelet count and promoting platelet aggregation, achieving hemostasis without causing blood stasis. Antiplatelet aggregation and antithrombotic effect: Notoginseng total saponins inhibit platelet aggregation, reduce blood viscosity, and help prevent thrombosis. Effects on the cardiovascular system: They increase coronary blood flow, reduce myocardial oxygen consumption, exhibit antiarrhythmic effects, and have vasodilatory and antihypertensive actions. Lipid‑lowering effect: Notoginseng total saponins significantly lower serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Effects on the hematopoietic system: They promote the proliferation of multipotent hematopoietic stem cells and support hematopoietic function. Other effects: Sanqi also exhibits various pharmacological actions including anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, hepatoprotective, renoprotective, and immune‑enhancing effects.
Ingredients
Saponins: The main active components of Sanqi. Over 20 monomeric saponins have been isolated, including ginsenosides Rg₁, Rb₁, and notoginsenoside R₁, etc. Amino acids: The hemostatic active component “dencichine (notoginsenoside)” belongs to this category. Flavonoids: Such as quercitrin, etc., with antioxidant activity. Others: Also contain polysaccharides, volatile oils, phytosterols, and various trace elements, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Decoction: 3–9 g. Powder (taken with water): Usually 1–3 g per dose, 1–2 times daily. Raw Sanqi powder: Its main actions are to disperse stasis, stop bleeding, reduce swelling, and relieve pain. It is mostly used for excess patterns such as traumatic injury and external bleeding. Prepared (steamed) Sanqi (Shu Sanqi): It has stronger blood‑tonifying and replenishing effects and is milder in nature. It is mostly used for debility, qi and blood deficiency. External use: Take an appropriate amount of Sanqi powder, sprinkle it on the wound or apply it as a paste to the affected area. It has hemostatic, swelling‑reducing, and pain‑relieving effects. Other forms: It can also be used in pills, powders, or steeped in wine for oral administration.
Contraindications
Use with caution during pregnancy: This product has blood‑activating and stasis‑resolving effects. It should be avoided during pregnancy. Use with caution during menstruation: For those with irregular menstruation not due to blood stasis, taking it during menstruation should be temporarily suspended to prevent excessive bleeding. Patients with a bleeding tendency: Those with bleeding disorders or those taking anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin, aspirin) should use this product under the guidance of a physician. Allergic individuals: A small number of people may be allergic to notoginseng; use with caution. Children, the elderly, and debilitated individuals: Should take it under the guidance of a physician. Adverse reactions: Conventional doses are relatively safe. A small number of people may experience dry mouth, insomnia, or other discomfort after taking it.
Selected Formulas
1. Huaxue Dan (Blood‑Transforming Elixir) (Source: Yixue Zhongzhong Canxilu – Integrating Chinese and Western Medicine) Ingredients: Sanqi 15 g, huahuishi (Ophicalcite) 15 g, xueyutan (Crinis Carbonisatus) 6 g. Usage: Grind into a fine powder. Take 3–6 g each time with warm boiled water. Indications: Hematemesis, epistaxis, hematochezia, flooding and spotting (metrorrhagia), and traumatic bleeding, especially when accompanied by blood stasis. 2. Qili San (Seven‑Li Powder) (Source: Liangfang Jiyi – Collection of Effective Formulas) Ingredients: Resina Draconis (xuejie), Olibanum (ruxiang), Myrrha (moyao), Carthami Flos (honghua), Catechu (ercha), Borneolum Syntheticum (bingpian), Moschus (shexiang), Sanqi. Usage: Grind into powder. Oral: 0.2–1.5 g each time with yellow wine or warm boiled water. Also for external use. Indications: Traumatic injury, ruptured tendons and fractured bones, swelling and pain due to blood stasis, bleeding from knife wounds. 3. Sanqi Danshen San (Notoginseng and Salvia Powder) (Modern proven formula) Ingredients: Sanqi powder 30 g, Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) powder 30 g. Usage: Mix well. Take 3 g each time, twice daily, with warm boiled water. Indications: Coronary heart disease with angina pectoris, chest stuffiness and pain, palpitations and shortness of breath, hyperlipidemia. 4. Compound Sanqi Capsule (Commercial preparation reference) (Proprietary Chinese medicine) Ingredients: Sanqi, Danggui (Angelica), Honghua (Safflower), Tujiechong (Eupolyphaga), Zirantong (Pyrite), etc. Usage: Follow the instructions on the product label. Indications: Traumatic injury, swelling and pain due to blood stasis, fracture, soft tissue injury. 5. Sanqi Baiji San (Notoginseng and Bletilla Powder) (Hemostatic formula) Ingredients: Sanqi powder 9 g, Baiji (Bletilla) powder 9 g. Usage: Mix well. Divide into 2–3 oral doses, take with warm boiled water. Indications: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding, hemoptysis, bleeding from tuberculous cavities of the lung. 6. Sanqi Jiangzhi Yin (Notoginseng Lipid‑Lowering Drink) (Adjuvant lipid‑lowering formula) Ingredients: Sanqi powder 3 g, Shanzha (Hawthorn) 15 g, Juemingzi (Cassia seed) 10 g, Heye (Lotus leaf) 10 g. Usage: Decoct Shanzha, Juemingzi, and Heye in water to obtain the liquid, then use the liquid to take the Sanqi powder. One dose per day. Indications: Hyperlipidemia, simple obesity, adjuvant therapy for hypertension.
Daily Consumption
. Notoginseng Stewed Chicken Take 500 g of hen, 15–20 g of notoginseng powder. Blanch the chicken, then stew with ginger slices for 1 hour. Add notoginseng powder and continue stewing for another 20 minutes. Season to taste. Action: Tonifies the spleen and kidney, benefits qi and blood, stops bleeding and removes stasis. Suitable for debility after illness or postpartum. 2. Notoginseng Steamed Egg Beat 2 eggs, add 150 ml of warm water and 2 g of notoginseng powder, mix well. Steam for 10 minutes. Action: Simple to prepare, mild in nature, nutritious. Suitable for the elderly and children. 3. Notoginseng Wine Take 100 g of notoginseng (crushed), and 1 kg of white liquor (about 50% alcohol). Steep for at least 30 days. Dosage: 10 ml each time, 2–3 times daily. Action: Activates blood circulation, removes stasis, relieves pain. Used for low back and leg pain due to blood stasis. 4. Notoginseng and Hawthorn Congee Cook notoginseng powder together with hawthorn and japonica rice into congee. Action: Activates blood and lowers blood lipids. Suitable as an adjunct for hyperlipidemia and hypertension.
Medicinal Parts
root and rhizome
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from insects.