Roots and rhizomesHemostaticNotoginseng Radix et Rhizoma

San Qi (Sanchi)

Q: What is San Qi? Are ginseng and bletilla the same?

Official San Qi (三七) is the dried root and rhizome of Panax notoginseng . The pharmacopoeial name is Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma . It is mainly produced in Yunnan and Guangxi. Ginseng is sweet, slightly bitter and slightly warm: greatly tonifies original qi. Bletilla is bitter-sweet-astringent and slightly cold: restrains bleeding, reduces swelling and promotes granulation. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write San Qi. Use caution with large doses in pregnancy.

Q: What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of San Qi?

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, San Qi is sweet, slightly bitter and warm , enters the Liver and Stomach channels, and acts to disperse Blood stasis, stop bleeding, reduce swelling and stop pain . It is used for coughing blood, vomiting blood, epistaxis, blood in the stool, flooding and spotting, traumatic bleeding, stabbing chest and abdominal pain, and swelling and pain from falls. Sweet, slightly bitter and warm, it suits Blood-stasis bleeding—not Blood vacuity without stasis, or large doses in pregnancy.

Q: What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a bleeding tea?

The pharmacopoeial decoction dose is 3–9 g ; powder taken by mouth is 1–3 g . It is not a four-season “notoginseng bleeding tea.” Absence of stasis only vacuates further as it disperses. Bleeding is an emergency; it does not replace hospital assessment.

Q: How do you choose and store San Qi?

Choose conical or nearly conical pieces, a gray-brown or gray-yellow surface with nodular protrusions, solid texture, a gray-green or yellow-green cut surface, a faint odor and a bitter then sweet taste . Moldy, dirty or scentless lots are discarded. Store dry and protect from insects. Buy pharmacopoeial San Qi; do not replace dispersing Blood stasis, stopping bleeding, reducing swelling and stopping pain with ginseng or bletilla by equal weight.

A practical guide to San Qi: what it is, how Traditional Chinese Medicine uses it, the classical formulas it appears in, and who should be careful with it.

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Last reviewed Oct 13, 2026

Quick Facts

Latin Name	Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma
Chinese Name & Pinyin	三七 · San Qi
Medicinal Part	Roots and rhizomes
The herb	San Qi is the dried root and rhizome of Panax notoginseng. Ren Shen is a different official drug in the same family. Use caution in pregnancy.
Nature and channels	Sweet, slightly bitter, warm. Enters the Liver and Stomach. Sweet slight bitter warmth disperses stasis, stops bleeding, reduces swelling, and settles pain.
Pharmacopoeia line	Disperses stasis and stops bleeding. Reduces swelling and settles pain. Used for coughing of blood, vomiting of blood, nosebleed, bloody stool, flooding, traumatic bleeding, stabbing chest and abdominal pain, and swelling and pain from falls.
Pattern cues	Coughing of blood. Vomiting of blood. Flooding. Swelling and pain from falls. Stabbing chest and abdominal pain.
In this article	San Qi versus Ren Shen, Bai Ji, and Pu Huang. Dispersing stasis to stop bleeding versus simple astringency. Why pregnancy is a caution. Why bleeding needs a clinic. Who should skip it.

What Is San Qi?

San Qi (三七; Sān Qī; Latin: Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma; English: notoginseng) is the dried root and rhizome of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen. In Chinese medicine it is a bleeding-stopping herb. It is sweet, slightly bitter, and warm, enters the Liver and Stomach channels, and its core actions are to disperse stasis and stop bleeding, and to reduce swelling and settle pain. The usual decoction dose is 3–9 g. Powder swallowed is 1–3 g. External use is a suitable amount. Main root, rootlets, and rhizome base are different specifications.

It is not Ren Shen. Ginseng is sweet, slightly bitter, and slightly warm. It greatly tonifies original qi and restores the pulse to secure desertion. San Qi is sweet, slightly bitter, and warm. It is specific for bleeding and swelling from stasis. It is not a qi-tonifying drug. Raw use leans toward stopping bleeding. Tradition also speaks of cooked use leaning toward tonification. A practitioner still controls that. Use caution in pregnancy. Coughing of blood, vomiting of blood, flooding, and stabbing chest and abdominal pain need a clinic. It does not fit every bleed. Dispersing when there is no stasis can stir blood. This is not a cardiovascular powder claim.

It is used most often for three patterns:

Bleeding from stasis — coughing of blood, vomiting of blood, nosebleed, bloody stool, flooding; seek care
Traumatic bleeding, swelling and pain from falls — severe injury needs a clinic
Stabbing chest and abdominal pain — seek care

Sweet, slightly bitter, and warm, it is not a daily “bleeding notoginseng” to keep increasing. Dispersing when there is no stasis and no pain consumes blood.

When blood stasis will not disperse, or after a fall, bleeding and swelling are common. San Qi is sweet, slightly bitter, and warm. It disperses stasis, stops bleeding, and settles pain, which is why it appears in trauma and stasis-bleeding formulas. It invigorates more than it holds. Heavy periods with no stasis, and pregnancy, get worse if more dispersing is added.

San Qi is not a catch-all bleeding or swelling root. With no stasis, in deficiency-cold bleeding, or in pregnancy, using it alone can stir blood. Whether it belongs in a formula should be decided by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner after pattern diagnosis.

San Qi: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma

Botanical Origin

The dried root and rhizome of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H.Chen.(Araliaceae)

Production Regions

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Wenshan of Yunnan, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Sichuan.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material has round head, large and full size, dry body, heavy weight, firm texture, grayish-black fractured surface, without cracks.

Macroscopic Features

Root is sub-conical or cylindrical, 1~6cm lone, 1~4cm diameter. Externally grayish-yellow or grayish-brown, with intermittent longitudinal wrinkles and lateral root scars. Apex has stem scar, surrounding with verruca. Heavy in weight, firm texture, fractured surface is grayish-green, yellowish-green or grayish-white, cortex and xylem are relatively easily split apart, xylem is slightly radial arranged. faint odor, bitter with a sweet aftertaste.

Authentic Regions and Quality Identification

Traditional texts highly value San Qi (Notoginseng) grown in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces. However, actual quality depends heavily on harvest time, processing, and storage.

Good Quality: High-quality raw roots are conical or cylindrical, grayish-brown, and feel solid and heavy. When broken, the inside is grayish-green with fine radial lines. It has a faint fragrance and tastes bitter at first, then sweet.
Raw vs. Cooked: Raw roots are rougher with a darker interior. Cooked roots are darker on the outside, brownish inside, and have a crispier texture.
Common Mix-ups: Be careful of similar-looking roots from the same plant family. Fakes are usually lighter in weight, have different internal textures, and lack the signature scent or have weird odors.

Traditional Properties & Historical Lineage

Nature, Flavour & Channel Tropism

Sweet, Slightly bitter; WarmLiverStomach

1. Historical Records in Ancient Herbologies

Ancient texts have long praised this herb:

Ben Cao Gang Mu noted its powerful ability to stop bleeding, disperse blood stasis, and relieve pain, especially for physical injuries, cuts, and various bleeding issues.
De Pei Ben Cao mentioned it can "treat blood disorders, stop bleeding without leaving stasis, and invigorate blood without harming new blood."
Zhong Hua Ben Cao added its benefits for managing certain types of deficiency-related bleeding, clarifying that it is not just a simple tonic herb.

2. Evolution of Medicinal Understanding

Over time, the TCM understanding of San Qi (Notoginseng) evolved:

Early Views: Initially, doctors focused on its ability to stop bleeding and clear stasis, using it mainly for acute physical injuries.
Later Views: Later practitioners recognized its tonifying properties, applying it to chronic Qi and blood deficiency combined with blood stasis.
Safety Note: Modern TCM emphasizes that it is not a cure-all. It should not be used alone if a person has severe Qi deficiency without any blood stasis, to avoid over-stimulating the body and damaging vital Qi.

Core Efficacies & Traditional Applications

Traditional Functions

Dissipates stasis, stops bleeding, reduces swelling, and relieves pain. Apply to bleeding from trauma or internal stasis, swelling and pain from injury, and chest or abdominal stasis pain.

1. Primary Focus: Resolving Stasis and Stopping Bleeding

The traditional primary function of San Qi (Notoginseng) is to resolve blood stasis and stop bleeding. It helps stop internal or external bleeding while simultaneously clearing the residual clotted blood (stasis), preventing it from lingering and causing further issues.

Common uses: Bruising and swelling from physical trauma, heavy menstrual bleeding with dark clots, or occasionally coughing up blood.
Common pairings: For physical injuries, it is often paired with Hong Hua (Safflower) and Dang Gui (Angelica Root) to enhance circulation. For menstrual issues with clots, it is commonly paired with Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort) and Xiang Fu (Cyperus) to regulate Qi and blood while relieving pain.
Caution: Do not use it if there is no blood stasis. For example, people who rarely bruise or have light periods without clots should avoid blind usage, as it may over-stimulate blood circulation and cause discomfort.

2. Secondary Focus: Invigorating Blood and Relieving Pain

It is also traditionally used to invigorate blood and relieve pain caused by stagnant Qi and blood. It works by unblocking circulation rather than just acting as a simple painkiller.

Common uses: Dull aches in the lower back or shoulders after prolonged sitting or overexertion, lingering pain from past injuries, or lower abdominal menstrual cramps with clots.
Common pairings: For strain-related pain, it is often paired with Du Zhong (Eucommia) and Niu Xi (Achyranthes) to nourish the liver and kidneys while unblocking meridians. For menstrual cramps, it pairs well with Bai Shao (White Peony Root) and Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum) to harmonize blood flow.
Caution: Pregnant women should strictly avoid self-medicating, as invigorating blood can affect fetal stability. Even for average individuals, if pain persists for more than a week, seek medical advice rather than relying solely on herbs.

3. Common Single-Herb Pairing: Synergy

A classic TCM herbal pairing is San Qi and Dan Shen (Salvia Root).

San Qi excels at clearing local blood stasis and relieving localized pain and bruising.
Dan Shen excels at unblocking systemic Qi and blood, improving overall circulation.
Synergy: Together, they enhance the stasis-resolving effect while managing whole-body circulation. This is especially useful for chronic localized discomfort due to poor circulation, such as lower back stiffness from sitting or mild chest tightness. However, this pairing requires professional TCM assessment. People with obvious internal heat (e.g., frequent dry mouth) should avoid it, as it may worsen their symptoms.

Modern Research

Modern research offers useful context, but Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribes on whole-pattern diagnosis rather than isolated compounds.

1. Key Chemical Components

Modern labs have identified that the main active ingredients in San Qi (Notoginseng) are triterpenoid saponins, including ginsenosides (Rg1, Rb1, Rd) and its unique notoginsenoside R1.

Lab Observations: In test tubes, these compounds show potential to reduce the release of inflammatory agents and protect blood vessel linings. Animal studies suggest they might help shorten bleeding time and reduce local blood stasis.

2. Modern Research Directions

Current pharmacological studies mainly focus on analyzing these saponins and their impact on blood circulation. Lab results suggest they may help regulate blood vessel expansion and contraction, potentially improving local blood flow. However, more human trials are needed to confirm its actual clinical effects on chronic strain and discomfort.

3. Limitations of Modern Research

While modern science offers good insights, it has its limits:

Lab vs. Human: Test-tube and animal results do not automatically translate to human health or real-world digestion.
Extracts vs. Whole Herbs: Labs use highly purified, single compounds, which are vastly different from the complex herbal decoctions used in daily life.
Synergy: The traditional healing power of San Qi (Notoginseng) comes from how all its natural components work together. You cannot fully judge the whole herb based on just one chemical compound.

Comparing Similar Herbs

1. Common Ground

Both San Qi and Dan Shen share key traits:

They both invigorate blood and resolve stasis.
They both help improve local discomfort caused by stagnant blood.
They are both used for syndromes caused by poor Qi and blood circulation, such as injuries or chronic strain.

2. Core Differences

Nature and Flavor: San Qi is warm, sweet, and slightly bitter; it is gentle and doesn't overly consume the body's vital Qi. Dan Shen is slightly cold and bitter, making it better suited for stasis with mild heat signs.
Core Focus: San Qi is highly targeted for localized stasis, visible bruising, and local pain. Dan Shen is broader, focusing on unblocking systemic Qi and blood flow.
Action Tendency: San Qi focuses on "unblocking" while offering a mild tonifying (nourishing) effect. Dan Shen focuses more on "draining" to clear blockages, and long-term use may deplete vital Qi.
Traditional Indications: San Qi fits scenarios with obvious bruising or local pain (e.g., a bruised knee). Dan Shen fits systemic sluggishness without obvious bruising (e.g., mild chest tightness after staying up late).
Contraindications: San Qi is not for those with obvious internal heat. Dan Shen is not for those with a cold constitution (e.g., always feeling cold with cold hands and feet).

3. One-Sentence Summary

In short, San Qi leans toward localized, warm unblocking and resolving stasis, while Dan Shen leans toward systemic, cooling blood invigoration; they cannot simply replace one another.

Classical Formulas Containing San Qi

Formulas vs. Single Herbs

Synergy is Key: A formula is a balanced team. The healing power comes from how the herbs interact, so a single herb cannot simply replicate a full formula's effects.
Holistic Balance: The exact dosage and combination in a formula affect the entire body. Never try to mix or alter these formulas at home based on internet articles.

Diet & Daily Home Use

1. Home Herbal Meals and Teas

A gentle home recipe is San Qi Red Date Tea.

Ingredients: 1 gram of raw San Qi powder, 3 red dates, 2 slices of fresh ginger.
Method: Pit the dates and slice the ginger. Boil them in water for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat, then stir in the San Qi powder.
Usage: Best for mild circulation sluggishness, like an aching back from sitting or mild menstrual cramps with small clots. Suitable for balanced or slightly warm constitutions.
Frequency: 1 to 2 times a week. Do not drink continuously long-term.
Not for: Pregnant women or individuals with obvious heat signs (dry mouth, constipation).

2. Decoction and Processing Differences

There is a big difference between raw and cooked forms:

Raw San Qi: Focuses on resolving stasis, stopping bleeding, and relieving pain.
Cooked San Qi: Focuses on tonifying and nourishing Qi and blood (better for weaker constitutions).
For home use, San Qi powder is usually mixed directly into warm water or the finished herbal broth. It does not need to be boiled together with other raw herbs. Also, 1 gram of powder does not equal 1 gram of raw sliced herb due to differences in processing and absorption rates.

3. Dosage and Usage Cycle

Dosage: In traditional clinical prescriptions, the daily dose is typically 3 to 9 grams (split into two doses). For daily dietary or wellness use, keep the dose much smaller—usually under 1 gram per day.
Cycle: Do not use it continuously for long periods. A standard wellness cycle is 3 to 5 days. If symptoms do not improve, stop and consult a professional.
Special Groups: Pregnant or nursing women, children, and the elderly must consult a healthcare provider before use.

Contraindications & Safety Warnings

1. Who Should Avoid It

People with internal heat: If you often experience dry mouth, constipation, or mouth sores, San Qi may worsen this heat.
Pregnant and nursing women: Avoid use, as safety has not been established and blood-invigorating herbs carry pregnancy risks.
Children and the elderly: Use with extreme caution and only under professional guidance, due to weaker metabolic regulation.
Liver or kidney dysfunction: Avoid self-medicating to prevent adding stress to these organs.
Ginseng allergies: As a member of the Araliaceae family, it may trigger cross-allergic reactions.

2. Drug Interactions and Dietary Notes

Anticoagulants (Blood Thinners): San Qi can affect blood clotting. If you take medications like Warfarin, consult your doctor immediately, as combining them can increase bleeding risks.
Blood Pressure Medications: It may influence blood pressure, so closely monitor your readings if taking antihypertensives.
Always inform your doctor or pharmacist about any herbs you are taking to avoid metabolic interactions.

3. Adverse Reactions and Overdose Risks

Overdose symptoms: Taking too much can lead to nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, or long-term gastrointestinal issues.
Allergies: Watch out for rashes, itching, or difficulty breathing.
Emergency action: If you experience obvious discomfort, allergic signs, severe vomiting, breathing issues, or rapid worsening of symptoms, stop use immediately and seek medical attention.

Frequently Asked Questions About San Qi

What is San Qi? Are ginseng and bletilla the same?

Official San Qi (三七) is the dried root and rhizome of Panax notoginseng. The pharmacopoeial name is Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma. It is mainly produced in Yunnan and Guangxi. Ginseng is sweet, slightly bitter and slightly warm: greatly tonifies original qi. Bletilla is bitter-sweet-astringent and slightly cold: restrains bleeding, reduces swelling and promotes granulation. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write San Qi. Use caution with large doses in pregnancy.

What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of San Qi?

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, San Qi is sweet, slightly bitter and warm, enters the Liver and Stomach channels, and acts to disperse Blood stasis, stop bleeding, reduce swelling and stop pain. It is used for coughing blood, vomiting blood, epistaxis, blood in the stool, flooding and spotting, traumatic bleeding, stabbing chest and abdominal pain, and swelling and pain from falls. Sweet, slightly bitter and warm, it suits Blood-stasis bleeding—not Blood vacuity without stasis, or large doses in pregnancy.

How do you choose raw versus prepared root? Can ginseng replace it?

Raw root is stronger for dispersing stasis and stopping bleeding. Prepared root leans to tonifying vacuity. Ginseng greatly tonifies original qi; it cannot replace stopping bleeding by equal weight. Commercial notoginseng powder tea is not equal-weight pieces.

What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a bleeding tea?

The pharmacopoeial decoction dose is 3–9 g; powder taken by mouth is 1–3 g. It is not a four-season “notoginseng bleeding tea.” Absence of stasis only vacuates further as it disperses. Bleeding is an emergency; it does not replace hospital assessment.

What are the contraindications? Can it be used in pregnancy?

Use caution with large doses in pregnancy. Use caution in Blood vacuity without stasis. Stop if abdominal distension appears or bleeding worsens. Massive bleeding and chest pain need immediate medical care.

Can San Qi disperse Blood stasis, stop bleeding, reduce swelling and stop pain?

It can help Blood-stasis bleeding and swelling and pain from falls. It joins Chinese angelica and frankincense in a Yunnan Baiyao type formula. It disperses Blood stasis, stops bleeding, reduces swelling and stops pain—not a specific for every bleeding or every pain.

Can San Qi be drunk daily as a bleeding, stasis or pain tea?

Blood-stasis bleeding may enter a short formula; absence of stasis only vacuates further as it disperses. “Notoginseng must stop bleeding” does not replace emergency care. Dispersing Blood stasis, stopping bleeding, reducing swelling and stopping pain should name 3–9 g or powder 1–3 g.

How do you choose among San Qi, ginseng, bletilla, cattail pollen and salvia?

Notoginseng is sweet, slightly bitter and warm: disperses Blood stasis, stops bleeding, reduces swelling and stops pain—Blood-stasis bleeding and falls. Ginseng is sweet, slightly bitter and slightly warm: greatly tonifies original qi, restores the pulse and secures desertion—qi vacuity. Bletilla is bitter-sweet-astringent and slightly cold: restrains bleeding, reduces swelling and promotes granulation—Lung and Stomach bleeding. Cattail pollen is sweet-neutral: restrains bleeding, moves Blood and transforms stasis—various bleedings. Salvia is bitter and slightly cold: moves Blood, dispels stasis, frees the channels and stops pain—Blood stasis. Stasis bleeding favors San Qi; qi vacuity favors ginseng; restraining favors bletilla; restraining favors cattail pollen; moving Blood favors salvia. They may be paired after pattern differentiation; absence of stasis forbids large San Qi and salvia, and pregnancy warrants caution.

Which herbs is San Qi combined with? What are the representative formulas?

Traumatic bleeding joins Chinese angelica, frankincense and myrrh in a Yunnan Baiyao type formula. Write San Qi 3–9 g or powder 1–3 g; do not replace stopping bleeding with ginseng by equal weight.

How do you choose and store San Qi?

Choose conical or nearly conical pieces, a gray-brown or gray-yellow surface with nodular protrusions, solid texture, a gray-green or yellow-green cut surface, a faint odor and a bitter then sweet taste. Moldy, dirty or scentless lots are discarded. Store dry and protect from insects. Buy pharmacopoeial San Qi; do not replace dispersing Blood stasis, stopping bleeding, reducing swelling and stopping pain with ginseng or bletilla by equal weight.

Related Products

Nong's San Qi (Notoginseng Root) Single Herb 5:1 Concentrated Granules $106.89

Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.