Tag: abnormal uterine bleeding

Tienchi Ginseng

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“Tienchi Ginseng”

An adaptogen with cardioprotective and antihaemorrhagic properties. Has an affinity for the circulatory system.

Botanical Name: Panax notoginseng (Panax pseudoginseng)

Common name: Tienchi Ginseng, Yunnan Baiyao

Family: Araliaceae

Parts Used: Root

Active Constituents: 

  • Triterpene saponins (ginsenosides and notoginsenoside R1)
  • Amino acids and fatty acids
  • Polysaccharides
  • Phytosterols
  • Flavonoids
  • Dencichine

Qualities: Warm in nature; sweet and slightly bitter in taste

Actions: 

  • Adaptogen (mildly stimulating)
  • Antiarrythmic
  • Antihaemorrhagic
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Antioxidant
  • Blood adaptogen / haemostatic (stops bleeding and transforms blood stasis; invigorates the blood)
  • Cardioprotective – microcirculation
  • Hypocholesterolaemic / hypolipidaemic
  • Microbiome modulator
  • Metabolic enhancing (improves exercise endurance; may inhibit glycogen utilisation during exercise enabling muscles to preferentially burn fat for energy; this activity would allow the muscle to sustain longer periods of activity with less lactic acid build-up)
  • Styptic

Traditionally used as a haemostatic medicine to control both internal and external bleeding, reduce swelling and pain, as well as to disperse blood clots, eliminate blood stasis and promote blood circulation.

Indications:

  • Haemoptysis
  • Haematuria
  • Angina pectoris
  • Arrythmias (i.e. atrial fibrillation)
  • Blood clots / blood stasis
  • Myocardial ischaemia
  • Hypercholesterolaemia
  • Haemorrhage, hematemesis, melena, abnormal uterine bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding
  • Injury from trauma, especially with haematomoa, swelling and bruising
  • Metrorrhagia / menorrhagia (prescribed acutely, i.e. liquid extract as a simple taken at the onset of the period in higher doses, e.g. 5ml three times daily then reducing the dose as bleeding normalises; if heavy bleeding is due to a fibroid or endometriosis or there is dysfunctional uterine bleeding, Tienchi could be prescribed throughout the cycle; in all cases of heavy bleleding, the underlying cause must be addressed)
  • Metabolic diseases – e.g. diabetes, obesity

Contraindications: Pregnancy, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine – may adversely affect the foetus (Ody)

Cautions: Oestrogen-dependent cancers (Panax spp. has some phytoestrogenic activity)

Dosage: 

1:2 FE 3.5ml–8.5ml per day or 25-60ml per week (use higher doses may be required for trauma and severe haemorrhage)

Combinations:

  • Combine powder form of root (1-2g doses) with slippery elm for the pain of gastric ulceration (Ody)
  • Arrythmia with hypertension – combine with Kudzu, Hawthorn Berries, Motherwort, Dan Shen, Corydalis, Mistletoe, Dong Quai, Japanese Knotweed, Withania, or Green Tea

POINTS OF NOTE:

  1. An antihaemorrhagic indicated in haemoptysis and haematuria as well as melena and abnormal uterine bleeding
  2. Anti inflammatory and a styptic, useful in recovery from trauma especially with swelling and bruising
  3. Cardioprotective, indicated in angina pectoris
  4. Hypocholesterolaemic, indicated in high cholesterol
  5. Contraindicated in pregnancy
  6. The main constituents are the saponins (ginsenosides and notoginsenosides)

References & Links to Articles:

Antioxidative effects of Panax notoginseng saponins in brain cells

Antidepressant effects of Panax notoginseng