What is San-Qi Ginseng?
San-Qi (also called Sanqi, Tienchi, Tianqi, or Three-Seven Root) is the dried root of Panax notoginseng, a plant native to the mountainous regions of Southwest China, particularly Yunnan and Guangxi provinces. Unlike its relatives Panax ginseng (Korean ginseng) and Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng), San-Qi has unique properties and applications.
Traditional Classification: Warm in nature, sweet and slightly bitter in taste, nontoxic
Active Constituents: The root contains over 200 bioactive compounds including:
Ginsenosides (saponins) - particularly Rb1, Rg1, Rk1, and Rg5
Notoginsenosides (unique to this species)
Flavonoids
Polysaccharides
Volatile oils (including andrographolide, panaxynol, and panaxydol)
Primary Functions & Benefits
Traditional Chinese Medicine Uses:
Stops Bleeding: Hemostatic properties for internal and external bleeding
Invigorates Blood: Disperses blood stasis and improves circulation
Reduces Swelling and Pain: Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects
Transforms Blood Stasis: Breaks up blood clots without injuring new blood
Modern Clinical Applications:
Cardiovascular Health:
Reduces chest pain (angina)
Lowers blood pressure
Improves circulation
Reduces cholesterol and triglycerides
May prevent blood clot formation
Protects against heart attack damage
Bleeding Disorders:
Nosebleeds (epistaxis)
Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
Vomiting blood (hematemesis)
Blood in urine (hematuria)
Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia)
Internal bleeding
Post-surgical bleeding
Stroke and Brain Health:
Neuroprotective effects
Improves functional independence after ischemic stroke
May improve cognitive function
Reduces brain inflammation
Other Benefits:
Reduces muscle soreness and inflammation
Wound healing
Anti-cancer properties (prostate, liver, other cancers)
Improves energy and reduces fatigue
May help with depression and mood
Supports liver and kidney health
Antioxidant protection
Immune system support
Recommended Dosages
Traditional Preparation:
Decoction: 5-10 grams per day
Powder (taken directly or mixed with water): 1-3 grams per dose, 2-3 times daily
Tablets: Typically 500 mg per tablet, 3-5 tablets per dose
Modern Standardized Preparations:
Xuesaitong soft capsules: 120 mg twice daily
Injectable forms: Only administered by healthcare providers
Important Notes:
The root must be grown for 3-5 years before harvesting for medicinal use
Raw San-Qi is used for bleeding and blood circulation
Cooked San-Qi is less potent for bleeding but better for tonification
What to Take San-Qi With
Synergistic Supplements:
Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan Shen): Often combined in formulas for cardiovascular health
Panax ginseng: For energy and vitality (different uses than San-Qi)
Rheum palmatum (Da Huang): In certain formulas for blood circulation
Blood cooling herbs: When bleeding is caused by heat
Yin tonics: If there is dry mouth or Yin deficiency
Supportive Combinations:
Antioxidant vitamins (C, E) for cardiovascular protection
Omega-3 fatty acids for heart health
Coenzyme Q10 for cardiovascular support
Drug and Supplement Interactions
AVOID or Use with Extreme Caution:
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Medications:
Warfarin (Coumadin) - May increase bleeding risk or alter drug levels
Aspirin
Clopidogrel (Plavix)
Heparin
Note: Some studies show San-Qi may be safely combined with dual antiplatelet therapy under medical supervision, but this requires close monitoring
Diabetes Medications:
May lower blood sugar levels
Requires dose adjustment and monitoring
Blood Pressure Medications:
May enhance blood pressure-lowering effects
Nifedipine - San-Qi may increase drug levels
Other Medications:
HIV medications (raltegravir, lopinavir/ritonavir) - May increase liver toxicity risk
MAO inhibitors (phenelzine) - Potential interaction
Medications metabolized by CYP450 enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP3A4)
Alcohol:
May reduce San-Qi absorption and effectiveness
Alcohol should be avoided during San-Qi treatment
Who Should Take San-Qi
Ideal Candidates:
Bleeding Disorders:
Individuals with chronic nosebleeds
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Post-surgical bleeding risk
Cardiovascular Conditions:
Angina (chest pain)
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Poor circulation
History of stroke or heart attack
Injury and Inflammation:
Traumatic injuries with bruising
Muscle soreness (especially athletes)
Chronic pain from blood stasis
Post-surgical recovery
Blood Stasis Symptoms (Traditional Chinese Medicine):
Sharp, stabbing pain in fixed location
Masses or tumors
Menstrual pain with clots
Dark purple tongue
Varicose veins
Who Should NOT Take San-Qi
Contraindications:
Pregnant Women: UNSAFE - May cause birth defects or miscarriage Breastfeeding Women: UNSAFE - May pass through breast milk and cause allergic reactions in infants Scheduled Surgery: Discontinue at least 2 weeks before surgery due to bleeding risk
Use with Caution:
Blood Disorders:
Hemophilia or other bleeding disorders
People taking blood thinners
Hormone-Sensitive Conditions:
Breast cancer
Uterine cancer
Ovarian cancer
Endometriosis
Uterine fibroids
(San-Qi has estrogen-like activity)
Liver Disease: May affect liver function or drug metabolism
Qi Deficiency (Traditional Chinese Medicine):
Extreme fatigue
Pale tongue
Weak pulse
May deplete energy if misused
Blood Deficiency (Traditional Chinese Medicine):
Pale complexion
Dizziness
Palpitations
Contraindicated in this pattern
Blood Heat (Traditional Chinese Medicine):
Bleeding with bright red blood
Restlessness and irritability
Not appropriate for this type of bleeding
Deficiency Symptoms
San-Qi does not cause a specific deficiency when absent from the diet, as it is not an essential nutrient. However, in Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, conditions that may benefit from San-Qi include:
Blood Stasis Patterns:
Chronic, fixed pain (especially chest pain)
Dark, purplish complexion
Varicose veins or spider veins
Menstrual blood with dark clots
Purple spots on tongue
Choppy or wiry pulse
Blood Deficiency with Stasis:
Fatigue combined with pain
Pale complexion with bruising
Heavy or irregular periods
Poor wound healing
Note: These are TCM diagnostic patterns, not Western medical deficiencies.
Toxicity and Side Effects
Common Side Effects:
Dry mouth
Nausea and vomiting
Nervousness or insomnia
Flushed skin
Headache
Gastrointestinal upset
Diarrhea
Allergic Reactions (Rare but Documented):
Skin rashes (exanthema)
Urticaria (hives)
Itching
Red papules
In extremely rare cases: severe reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome, anaphylaxis
Esophagitis:
Can occur if tablets are taken without sufficient water
Take tablets with a full glass of water
Serious Adverse Events (Very Rare):
Cerebral arteritis (brain blood vessel inflammation)
Liver inflammation (cholestatic hepatitis)
Anaphylactic shock
"Ginseng Abuse Syndrome":
Occurs with very high doses (15+ grams/day)
Central nervous system hyperactivity
Skin eruptions
Morning diarrhea
Mania
Toxic Dosage Levels:
At controlled therapeutic doses, San-Qi has nearly no toxic effects
Toxicity is rare and typically related to extremely high doses or prolonged misuse
Always follow recommended dosages
Important: There is liver toxicity risk from using the WRONG species. "Tu San Qi" (Gynura japonica) is sometimes confused with Panax notoginseng and contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause severe liver damage. Always verify you are using authentic Panax notoginseng from a reputable source.
Timing and Administration
Best Time to Take:
No specific time required - can be taken morning, afternoon, or evening
Consistency is more important than timing
For bleeding: Can be taken as needed
For chronic conditions: Regular daily dosing
With Food or Empty Stomach:
Can be taken with or without food
If experiencing stomach upset, take with food
Traditional powder form can be mixed with warm or cold water
Tablets should be taken with plenty of water to prevent esophageal irritation
Forms and Preparation:
Raw Powder (Most Common):
Mix 1-3 grams with warm water
Can swallow powder directly
Drink the liquid and residue
Decoction:
Simmer 5-10 grams in water
Drink the liquid
Tablets/Capsules:
Follow manufacturer instructions
Take with full glass of water
External Application:
Can be applied directly to wounds as powder
Stops bleeding and promotes healing
Duration of Use:
Acute injuries: Until healed (typically days to weeks)
Chronic conditions: Months, but should be monitored
Avoid long-term use without supervision to prevent imbalance
Take breaks or cycle use for chronic conditions
Special Considerations
Quality and Sourcing:
Use only authentic Panax notoginseng from reputable suppliers
Look for products tested for purity and contaminants
Dao Di region (Yunnan Province) is considered the best source
USP-Verified or GMP-certified products are preferred
Check for ISO lab testing and full traceability
Pregnancy and Postpartum:
Contraindicated during pregnancy - risk of birth defects
Contraindicated while breastfeeding - may cause infant allergic reactions
Only use postpartum under expert TCM guidance
Traditional Chinese Medicine Context:
San-Qi is classified as a "blood-moving" herb
Belongs to the "herbs that stop bleeding" category
Unique dual action: stops bleeding without causing stasis AND moves blood without causing bleeding
Must be prescribed according to TCM pattern differentiation
Works best when combined with other herbs in formulas
Drug Testing:
Ginseng products may occasionally cause false positives on drug tests
Inform testing facilities if using San-Qi
Clinical Evidence
According to PubMed research:
Stroke Recovery: A large randomized clinical trial found that Panax notoginseng saponins (Xuesaitong soft capsules) significantly increased the likelihood of functional independence at 3 months in patients with ischemic stroke, with 89.3% achieving independence versus 82.4% in the control group (DOI).
After Intravenous Thrombolysis: Systematic reviews found that notoginseng saponins improved neurological deficits and activities of daily living in stroke patients after thrombolysis, without increasing adverse events (DOI).
Cognitive Function: Network meta-analysis showed that ginsenosides were the most effective plant extract for improving cognitive scores (MMSE and MOCA) in stroke patients (DOI).
Safety Profile: At controlled doses, Panax notoginseng has nearly no toxic effects, with adverse event rates similar to placebo in clinical trials.
Summary & Key Takeaways
San-Qi (Panax notoginseng) is a powerful Traditional Chinese Medicine herb with unique dual properties: stopping bleeding while simultaneously improving blood circulation. It has strong evidence for cardiovascular health, particularly in stroke recovery and angina management. Modern research supports its traditional uses while revealing new applications in neuroprotection and inflammation.
Bottom Line: San-Qi is generally safe when used appropriately, but requires caution with bleeding disorders, pregnancy, hormone-sensitive conditions, and blood-thinning medications. Always source from reputable suppliers to ensure you're getting authentic Panax notoginseng (not the toxic Gynura japonica). For chronic conditions or combination with medications, consultation with a qualified TCM practitioner or integrative medicine physician is essential.
The herb shines in treating blood stasis patterns with bleeding, traumatic injuries, cardiovascular disease, and stroke recovery. Its safety profile is favorable at recommended doses, though allergic reactions can occur rarely. Quality sourcing and proper TCM pattern diagnosis are critical for optimal results.