San Qi三七
Pseudoginseng, Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma · Notoginseng Root · Pseudoginseng · Tian Qi
Overview
The root of a close relative of ginseng, grown mainly in Yunnan and Guangxi and harvested after three or more years in the ground. Sweet, slightly bitter and warm, it enters the Liver and Stomach and resolves the usual dilemma of bleeding treatment: it settles bleeding without leaving stagnant blood behind, and it moves stagnant blood without provoking more bleeding. That double action is why it is the standard herb for traumatic injury and for bleeding of almost any origin. Traditionally the raw powder is swallowed directly with warm water for bleeding and injury, which is stronger than decocting it; the steamed or oil-fried root is used differently again, to supplement blood after loss.
Nature & Flavor
Sweet, slightly bitter · WarmChannels
Liver · StomachTypical Dosage
1–1.5 g in decoctionActions
4 core actions
- Stops bleeding and dissolves stasisCoughed or vomited blood, nosebleed, blood in the stool or urine, heavy or prolonged uterine bleeding. What distinguishes it from the cooling haemostatics is that it does not leave congealed blood behind once the bleeding stops.
- Invigorates blood and relieves painFalls, blows, sprains and fractures with bruising, swelling and fixed stabbing pain; also chest and abdominal pain of blood stasis. It is the trauma herb of the southwestern Chinese tradition and is used both internally and as a powder applied to the injury.
- Reduces swelling in injuryApplied or taken early after an injury it limits the spread of bruising and eases the tightness of a swollen joint or limb.
- The cured root supplements bloodSteamed or fried in oil, the root loses much of its stasis-moving edge and is used instead to build blood after heavy loss, in convalescence and after surgery — a different intention from the raw powder, and not interchangeable with it.
In Formulas
Formulas containing San Qi
No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Bleeding of internal or external origin, including traumatic bleeding
- Bruising, swelling and pain after injury
- Fixed, stabbing chest or abdominal pain of blood stasis
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding assessed as involving stasis
- Convalescence after blood loss (cured form)
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
Because it works on blood in both directions, it is the herb most often caught by drug interactions: anyone taking warfarin or another anticoagulant, or an antiplatelet drug such as aspirin or clopidogrel, must have it reviewed by the prescribing doctor before starting, and it is normally stopped some weeks before planned surgery on the practitioner's instruction. It is not the whole answer to bleeding driven purely by heat in the blood, which also needs cooling herbs. Heavy, sudden or unexplained bleeding is a medical emergency and needs a hospital, not a herb. Keep to the dispensed dose; larger amounts can cause nausea, dry mouth and, occasionally, a rash.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: Avoid in pregnancy — it invigorates blood and is not self-administered while pregnant.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only
References
- Ben Cao Gang Mu《本草纲目》(classical source, public domain).
2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.