The Health Benefits of Notoginseng (San Qi, 三七)

Notoginseng (San Qi, 三七，田七) is a precious Chinese herb that has been used by Chinese people for over 3000 years. In the classic TCM book “Supplements to Compendium of Materia Medica”, it says: “Ginseng is the best to replenish qi, and notoginseng is the best to nourish blood. It has the same taste and power. Therefore, ginseng and notoginseng are the most precious of Chinese herbs.”

The herb San Qi (notoginseng) is the dried root of the plant Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H.Chen. Because of its hard texture, notoginseng is usually grounded as powder for easy consumption. The human body can absorb the active substances of the notoginseng powder more efficiently, so the efficacy and effect of the notoginseng powder is better. Notoginseng powder can be eaten raw or cooked.

Notoginseng is sweet, slightly bitter, warm in nature and non-toxic. Traditionally, it is often used to treat various bleeding symptoms and is known as the “the golden medicine for healing wounds”. Modern medical research has shown that notoginseng contains notoginseng saponins, notoginseng polysaccharides, ginsenosides, anticancer polyacetylenes and other active elements, which have preventive and therapeutic effects on many diseases.

The efficacy and functions of notoginseng powder

 1. promote blood circulation, stop bleeding, and replenish blood

Panax notoginseng saponins can dilate blood vessels, improve blood circulation, reduce blood viscosity, and have the effect of promoting blood circulation.

The effective ingredient of Panax Notoginseng, Dencichine, can promote platelet aggregation and deformation, release ADP, platelet factor III and other substances, which can significantly shorten the bleeding and clotting time, so as to achieve a good hemostatic effect.

Panax notoginseng can promote the division and growth of various types of blood cells, promote the proliferation and release of bone marrow cells, increase the number and activity of bone marrow red blood cells, improve hematopoietic function, and play a role in supplementing blood.

2. protect the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular system

Panax notoginseng saponins can help prevent arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction. Total flavonoids can also significantly reduce myocardial oxygen consumption, improve myocardial oxygen metabolism, and inhibit myocardial lipid peroxidation; Panax notoginseng saponins can help protect the heart function in the compensatory phase of hemorrhagic shock.

Notoginseng can also help protect brain cells after acute cerebral ischemia and hypoxia. It helps maintaining the stability of the nerve cell membrane and vascular membrane of the ischemic brain tissue. It aids the body in resisting the rising of blood pressure and the constriction of the coronary arteries caused by increased vinculin level produced by the pituitary gland.

Notoginseng is called “the vascular cleaner” because it has a very significant effect on the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, myocardial ischemia, arrhythmia, cerebral thrombosis, cerebral hemorrhage and other cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

3. anti-tumor

Notoginseng contains Panax notoginsenoside Rh1 and anticancer polyacetylene that can inhibit cancer cell growth. Panax notoginseng polysaccharide can stimulate the phagocytic function of macrophages and inhibit tumor growth.

4. protect liver function

Panax notoginseng saponins can prevent liver fibrosis and microvascular disease caused by liver ischemia, protect the liver from chemical damage (such as alcohol), and promote the growth of liver cells.

5. calm the nervous system

Panax notoginseng glycol glycosides can inhibit the central nervous system, soothe the nerves, improve sleep, and treat dizziness and tinnitus. Panax notoginseng glycol glycosides also have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

 6. two-way regulation of blood sugar

The ginsenoside Rg1 contained in notoginseng can help regulate blood sugar. The effect of Rg1 on blood sugar depends on the state of the body and the blood sugar level of the body. It can raise or lower blood sugar, therefore has a two-way balancing and regulating effect.

7. improve immune function

Panax notoginseng polysaccharide can promote the function of macrophages, and total saponins can increase the total number of white blood cells and the percentage of lymphocytes in the blood, and can also increase the production of humoral antibodies to a certain extent, which is shown to improve immunity.

8. anti-aging

Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) can help remove superoxide anion free radicals (O2); the saponins such as Rb1 notoginseng have anti-lipid peroxidation effect, inhibit the formation of LPO, and reduce the amount of LPO by enhancing SOD activity. Therefore, notoginseng can help slow down the aging process.

How to consume notoginseng powder:

Take 3 grams, twice daily between meals with a glass of water

Contraindications:

1. Pregnant women and women in menstruation should not take notoginseng, or should be directed by a health care professional.

2. Children should use with caution, directed by a health care professional.

4. Generally speaking, one should not take more than 10 grams of notoginseng powder for oral administration per day, and no more than 3 grams at a time.

5. Those who are allergic to notoginseng should not take it.