Sanqi: The Ancient Herb's Dual Power for Blood and Heart

Sanqi (Panax notoginseng) is a highly valued traditional Chinese medicine known for its diverse therapeutic properties, primarily relating to blood and cardiovascular health. It uniquely combines potent hemostatic effects with significant blood-activating and stasis-dispelling capabilities, alongside broader benefits for the cardiovascular and immune systems. While offering numerous advantages, its use requires caution, especially for pregnant individuals and those with specific health conditions, necessitating professional medical guidance.

Hemostatic Action

• Mechanism: Panax notoginseng saponins (e.g., dencichine) promote platelet aggregation and the release of clotting factors (like platelet factor 3), significantly shortening blood clotting time.
• Applications: Widely used for internal bleeding (e.g., hemoptysis), external wounds (topical application), and certain gynecological bleeding issues (e.g., menorrhagia).
• Note: Steamed Sanqi may exhibit even more potent antiplatelet and anticoagulant effects.

Blood Activation & Stasis Dissolution

• Mechanism: Active components, particularly saponins, induce vasodilation, improve blood rheology by reducing viscosity, and enhance fibrinolytic enzyme activity to dissolve existing blood clots.
• Applications: Beneficial for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (e.g., coronary heart disease, angina, stroke) by improving circulation and reducing ischemic damage.
• Also effectively treats pain and swelling from traumatic injuries (e.g., sprains, fractures) by facilitating the absorption of localized blood clots.

Comprehensive Cardiovascular Support

• Anti-Arrhythmic Properties: Regulates heart rhythm by influencing ion channels (e.g., sodium, calcium) in myocardial cells, helping to correct abnormal heartbeats.
• Lipid-Lowering Effects: Inhibits cholesterol synthesis in the liver, promotes its breakdown and excretion, and reduces triglyceride levels by regulating lipase activity.
• Anti-Atherosclerotic Action: Combats plaque buildup by exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties (reducing inflammatory cells and cytokines) and acting as an antioxidant (neutralizing free radicals and preventing LDL oxidation).

Immune System Modulation

• Enhancement: Stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of immune cells, including lymphocytes (T and B cells), and enhances the phagocytic activity of macrophages.
• Regulation: Possesses a unique ability to balance immune responses, boosting function when it's low and tempering it when it's overactive, thereby maintaining immunological equilibrium.

Usage Cautions & Considerations

• Contraindications: Advised against for individuals with "Yin deficiency with internal heat" and pregnant women due to its warm nature and potent blood-activating properties.
• Drug Interactions: Can interact with conventional anticoagulants like warfarin, potentially increasing the risk of bleeding.
• Professional Guidance: Requires careful use and professional medical guidance for appropriate dosage and application, especially given the varied causes of conditions like bleeding.