Notoginseng (san qi)

Panax notoginseng · 三七

Herbs & Roots. Chinese Medicine.

Also called San qi, Tian qi, Pseudoginseng

Pinyin: Sān Qī

Can raise bleeding risk

A root from the ginseng genus, used in Chinese medicine to stop bleeding and ease bruising.

Did you know? Notoginseng is a close cousin of ginseng in the genus Panax, which is why it is sometimes called pseudoginseng.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

Heart health. A 2022 review of 20 trials with 2,216 people found that adding notoginseng to aspirin blocked platelets more than aspirin alone. The summary we could check reported blood tests, not heart attacks or strokes.
Early proof
Wounds, burns & bites. Used for bleeding and bruising in tradition. Human trials are few.
Traditional proof

Parts of the body

Heart & vessels, Skin & hair

Traditional use

Chinese medicine uses notoginseng to stop bleeding, reduce bruising and swelling, and ease pain. It is common in bleeding and injury formulas.

How it is classified

Herbal actions: Hemostatic, Circulatory, Vulnerary. Energy: warming.
Chinese medicine: 三七 Stop bleeding. Nature: warm. Flavour: sweet, bitter. Enters the Liver and Stomach channels.

How people take it

Powder is usually taken in small daily amounts, about 1 to 3 grams. Decoctions use about 3 to 9 grams.

Powder, capsule, tablet and decoction.

Where to get it

Grown mainly in Yunnan and Guangxi in southern China. Sold as whole roots, powder, capsules, and patent medicines. Quality varies, so buy from a tested source.

Be careful

Can raise bleeding risk, especially with aspirin, warfarin, or other blood thinners. Avoid before surgery and in bleeding disorders. Safety in pregnancy is not well studied, so avoid it.

Avoid if: pregnancy; bleeding disorders; before surgery.

Mixing with other things

Works well together
Danshen and notoginseng are combined in Fufang Danshen products, a common Chinese heart remedy.
Use caution
Blood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, daily aspirin)
May add to bleeding risk with aspirin or warfarin.

Adds up with others that may slow blood clotting: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 40 more.

The honest take

Notoginseng is used for bleeding and bruising, and it is studied for heart and stroke. The trials we could check are small and focus on blood tests rather than heart attacks or strokes. Do not use it in place of prescribed blood thinners.