Sān Qī (三七) — Notoginseng root / Tienchi ginseng

San Qi (Panax notoginseng, also called Tienchi ginseng) is the most important Chinese herb for simultaneously stopping bleeding AND resolving Blood stasis — an unusual combination that makes it unique in TCM materia medica. Used for both haemorrhage (nosebleeds, heavy periods, traumatic injury) and stagnation-related conditions (angina, post-surgical bruising, cardiovascular health). Modern research supports its use for cardiovascular disease, ischaemic stroke recovery and as an anti-inflammatory.

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Key formulas
5. Modern research
6. Incompatibilities
7. Cautions and contraindications
8. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

Sān Qī (三七) — Panax notoginseng — is known in English as Notoginseng root / Tienchi ginseng. It belongs to the category of Herbs that stop bleeding in the Chinese Materia Medica and is one of the important herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a component of classical herbal formulas and in tailored prescriptions.

I prescribe Sān Qī as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan. Herbs are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.

2. Properties

3. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Stops bleeding without causing Blood stasis — the most important haemostatic herb
2. Invigorates Blood and dispels stasis — simultaneously stops bleeding AND moves Blood
3. Reduces swelling and alleviates pain from trauma
4. The premier herb for traumatic injury, bruising and internal bleeding

Indications

1. Traumatic injury — the most important herb for trauma, bruising and swelling
2. Haemorrhage from any cause — haemoptysis, haematuria, uterine bleeding
3. Cardiovascular disease — reduces coronary Blood stasis and prevents platelet aggregation
4. Post-surgical recovery and wound healing
5. Angina pectoris from Heart Blood stasis
6. Abnormal uterine bleeding combined with Blood stasis

4. Key formulas containing Sān Qī

Sān Qī appears in the following key formulas:

• Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang

See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 88 classical formulas.

5. Modern research

Panax notoginseng (San Qi / Tienchi Ginseng) is one of the most pharmacologically potent and commercially important Chinese medicinal herbs. It contains notoginsenosides (unique to this species) alongside ginsenosides shared with Panax ginseng. Research confirms potent anti-platelet aggregation effects, vasodilatory activity, anti-inflammatory properties, liver-protective effects, and the paradoxical ability to both stop bleeding AND prevent pathological clotting. San Qi is one of the primary ingredients in Yunnan Baiyao, one of the most widely sold Chinese patent medicines in the world. Clinical research confirms significant benefits in cardiovascular disease, traumatic injury and liver fibrosis.

6. Incompatibilities

Sān Qī (三七) Notoginseng root / Tienchi ginseng is not listed in either of the two classical incompatibility texts — Shi Ba Fan (Eighteen Antagonisms) or Shi Jiu Wei (Nineteen Mutual Inhibitions). As with every Chinese herb it should be prescribed only as part of a balanced formula by a registered Chinese herbalist (RCHM), who will check for interactions with any other herbs and prescription medications you are taking.

7. Cautions and contraindications

Avoid during pregnancy due to blood-moving properties. Use with caution alongside anticoagulant medications. The raw powdered form (Sheng San Qi) is used for trauma and cardiovascular; the cooked form (Shu San Qi) is more tonifying.

Pattern contraindications

Use the correct sub-type for the bleeding pattern — warming forms (e.g. Ai Ye) are for cold-pattern bleeding; cooling forms (e.g. Bai Mao Gen, Han Lian Cao, Ce Bai Ye) are for heat-pattern bleeding. Misapplied, they can worsen the underlying imbalance.

Modern drug interactions

San Qi has a bidirectional effect on bleeding — clinically used to stop bleeding but it also has antiplatelet activity in laboratory studies and may potentiate warfarin and antiplatelet drugs. Tell your GP if you take warfarin, DOACs, aspirin, clopidogrel or NSAIDs.

Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe or self-administer Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM with over 25 years of clinical experience.

8. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe Sān Qī as part of tailored herbal formulas for a range of conditions including High blood pressure, Fibroids, Sports injuries. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment and adjusted throughout treatment as the pattern responds.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available throughout the UK and internationally. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.

Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. After a full video consultation, Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto formulates a bespoke herbal prescription and posts your Chinese herbs directly to your door.