Radix Notoginseng
- Name
- Origin
- Where Does It Grow?
- Nature and Flavor
- Identified Active Components / Major Chemical Constituents
- Drug Actions in TCM
- Traditional Uses in TCM
- Pharmacological Actions
- Toxicology
- Administration and Dosage
- Adverse Effect, Side Effects and Cautions
- References
Name
Latin Name: Radix Notoginseng
Common Name: Notoginseng / Pseudoginseng
Scientific Name: Panax notoginseng (Burk.)
Chinese Name: 三七 / 田七
Pinyin Name: san qi / tian qi
Origin
The root of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen, a perennial herbage of the Araliaceae family.
Where Does It Grow?
Notoginseng is mainly grown in Guangxi and Yunnan provinces of China. Nowadays, the supply is sourced from cultivation.
Nature and Flavor
Notoginseng is sweet and slightly bitter in flavors, warm in nature, and mainly manifests its therapeutic actions in the liver and stomach meridians.
Identified Active Components / Major Chemical Constituents
Notoginseng and ginseng have many similar components, as they belong to the same genus. Important components of notoginseng are saponins, favonosides, polysaccarides and amino acids. The herb is rich in saponins including notoginsenosides A-E, G-N, U, R1-R4, R6 & R7; ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rd, Re, Rg1, Rg2, Rh1, Rh4 & U; 20-O-glucoginsenoside Rf; dannar-20(22)-ene-3β,12β,25-triol-6-O-β-D-glucopyranoside; gypenoside XVII. The favonosides include quercetin. The polysaccarides include sanchian A. Others are notoginsenic acidβ-sophoroside, dencichine, β-sitosterol, daucosterol, panaxydol and panaxynol. Drug Actions in TCM
Notoginseng promotes blood circulation, releases blood stasis, stops bleeding and relieves pain. Traditional Uses in TCM
•Notoginseng has a significant action on arresting bleeding situations
For any bleeding that starts in the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, nasal cavity, bladder, uterus or wounds, using notoginseng alone can stop the bleeding effectively. During application, physicians like to use it along with other herbs, as the remedies are tailor-made to individual conditions. For example, bleeding accompanied with night sweats, irritability, warm palms and soles, red cheeks and thirst are indicated for clearing the virtual heat, notoginseng is used with rehmannia root and yerbadetajo herb; bleeding accompanied with general weakness and coldness are indicated for warming the blood, notoginseng is used with Chinese mugwort leaf and processed ginger; bleeding accompanied with fatigue and breath shortness are indicated for replenishing qi (vital energy), notoginseng is used with astragalus root and pilose asiabell root. For a major bleeding that leads to unconsciousness, notoginseng is used with ginseng and aconite root for emergency. In case of bleeding due to injuries, notoginseng, resinous secretion and fossil bone are ground together and applied topically.
Besides using to stop bleeding, it can also relieve pain and swelling so as to promote healing. The herb is commonly prescribed for various internal and external remedies.
Pharmacological Actions
Toxicology
Notoginseng (raw herb) by intravenous injection given, the LD50 is 3.03g/kg; mice fed with notoginseng (raw herb) 15g/kg didn’t show poisoning reaction.
Administration and Dosage
Notoginseng is usually taken in powder form, 1~1.5g each time and one or twice daily. It can also be decocted or prepared as pill, 3~9g each time. For topical use, grind proper amount to apply or paste on the wound.
Adverse Effect, Side Effects and Cautions
Not recommended for pregnant women. Yin deficiency and those who tend to develop gum swelling and oral sores are also not suitable.
References
- Lui Daiquan (editor-in-chief), Chinese Herbal Medicine, Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publishers, 2000-6.
- Zhao Zhongzhen & Xiao Peigen (editor-in-chief), Contemporary Medicinal Herbal Glossary, Hong Kong Jockey Club Institute of Chinese Medicine, 2006-8.
- Tao Yufeng, Clinical Herbal Medicine, People’s Medical Publishing House, 2005-5.
- Chen Pian, Clinical Application of Tonifying Herbs, Second Military Medical University Press, 2008-8.
- Chen J, Chen T, ed. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, Art of Medicine Press, 2004.
- Nie DN, et al. Experimental study on anti-platelet effects of ginsenoside -2A in vitro. Zhongguo Zhong xi yi jie he za zhi Zhongguo Zhongxiyi jiehe zazhi. 2006 Jun; 26 Suppl: 83-85.
- White CM, et al. An evaluation of the hemostatic effect of externally applied notoginseng and notoginseng total saponins. J Clin Pharmacol 2000; 40: 1150–1153.
- Li, Xiao-Yu. Immunomodulating Chinese herbal medicines. Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz. 1991; 86, suppl.2: 159-164.
- Zhong Z, et al. Protective effects of Panax notoginseng saponins against pathological lesion of cholinergic neuron in rat model with Alzheimer's disease. Zhong Yao Cai. 2005; 28, 2: 119-122.
- Lin CF, et al. Protection by hot water extract of Panax notoginseng on chronic ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity. Phytother Res 2003; 17: 1119-1122.
- Wang, Y.L. et al. Effects and mechanism of total saponins of Panax Notoginseng on anti-inflammation and analgesia. Chung Kuo Chung His I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih; 14: 35-36, 5-6.