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Panax notoginseng

Also known as: Chinese ginseng, Notoginseng, Tiánqī (田七), Tienchi ginseng, Sānqī (三七) or sanchi, Three-seven root

Overview

Panax notoginseng (Chinese ginseng) is a perennial plant that belongs to the Araliaceae family. It primarily grows in the Wenshan mountain area of Yunnan province (China), but it can also be found in Vietnam at altitudes ranging from 1200 to 2000 meters (4,000–6,500 feet). The roots (whether raw or processed), fruits, flowers, and leaves of Panax notoginseng are still widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for medical purposes.

Benefits

Panax notoginseng contains over 200 constituents, including saponins, flavonoids, cyclopeptides, sterols, and polyacetylenes. However, the main bioactive compounds used to assess the quality of Panax notoginseng are ginsenosides (saponins) Rg1, Rb1, and R1. Ginsenoside Rg1 is predominantly found in the roots and rhizome, while Rb1 can also be found in other parts of the plant. Importantly, the composition of P. notoginseng can vary based on factors such as the region where it is cultivated, the growth duration, harvesting time, and processing methods used.

How it works

Interestingly, although Panax notoginseng has been traditionally used for its hemostatic properties (its ability to stop bleeding), there are no randomized trials in humans to prove this benefit. Panax notoginseng appears to exert some cardiovascular benefits. In one meta-analysis, people with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) who were treated with standardized oral or injectable preparations of P. notoginseng alongside traditional medicine showed a lower risk of cardiac morbidity as well as reduced symptoms and frequency of angina pectoris compared to the control. However, there was no decrease in the risk of cardiac mortality. However, it's important to interpret the results from these meta-analyses cautiously. The injectable and oral preparations used in the aforementioned studies typically contain Panax notoginseng as the main active ingredient as well as extracts from other plants. This complicates the determination of whether the observed results can be solely attributed to Panax notoginseng.

Side effects

Most studies on Panax notoginseng use standardized injectable preparations (e.g., Xuesaitong injection, Xueshuantong injection) or oral preparations (i.e., Xuesaitong soft capsules) that contain Panax notoginseng as the main ingredient as well as extracts from other plants.

Dosage

There is currently limited clinical (human) data available on the safety profile of Panax notoginseng. Cases of skin rash have been observed following intravenous administration of Panax notoginseng. Furthermore, other studies have reported cases of nausea, vomiting, and dry mouth. Additionally, Panax notoginseng is a CYP1A2 inducer, which means that it may interact with medications or other substances metabolized by this enzyme class.

FAQs

What is Panax notoginseng?

What was Panax notoginseng traditionally used for?

Panax notoginseng has a rich history in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dating back to ancient texts such as the Compendium of Materia Medica by Li Shizhen during the Ming dynasty. Li Shizhen described Panax notoginseng as having properties to stop bleeding, remove blood stasis (a concept in TCM that refers to stagnant blood), and relieve pain. The roots of Panax notoginseng remain a key component of popular herbal remedies like Yun Nan Bai Yao, which is used to stop bleeding. Moreover, Panax notoginseng is often added to cardiotonic preparations (to make the heart beat more strongly) typically used in China, Korea, and Russia for managing cardiovascular conditions such as angina pectoris. Additionally, the flowers of P. notoginseng are mentioned in the TCM of Yunnan as being able to clear away heat, calm the liver, and lower blood pressure. Even today, Panax notoginseng’s flowers are used to prepare herbal teas.

What are Panax notoginseng’s main drawbacks?

How does Panax notoginseng work?