Scientific Name Panax notoginseng (synonyms:  Aralia quinquefolia var. notoginseng, Panax pseudoginseng var.  notoginseng) Family Araliaceae Other Common Names: Chai-Jen-Shen, Field  Seven, Noto-Gin, Notoginseng, Panax Notoginseng Radix, Radix  Notoginseng, Samch'il, San Qi, San Qui, Sanchi, Sanchi Ginseng,     

Caution  Do not confuse Panax notoginseng with the similarly named plants, Panax Ginseng and American Ginseng.

Panax ginseng is a perennial  plant that grows in the mountains in Yunnan province in Southwest China (94323, 94324, 94378). The root, which is harvested after 3-5 years of growth, is most commonly used medicinally (94324). The fruits, flower, and leaves of Panax ginseng plants that have grown for at least 3 years are also used (94378).                                 

   Possibly Safe when  used orally and appropriately, short-term. Panax notoginseng has been  used with apparent safety in doses of 100-400 mg 1-3 times daily for up  to 6 weeks (17183, 94321, 94326, 94378, 94384, 109674).  ...when given as an injection, under medical supervision. Panax  notoginseng extract has been used with apparent safety in doses of  400-800 mg daily for up to 10 weeks (94324, 94326, 94373, 98976, 109523).                                                             

 There is  insufficient reliable information available about the safety of Panax  notoginseng when administered rectally.                                                             

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:  Likely Unsafe                                                                 when used orally (5559). Ginsenoside Rb1, an active constituent of Panax notoginseng, has teratogenic effects in animal models (10447).                                                             

Panax notoginseng seems to be generally well tolerated when used orally or intravenously. 

Orally: Dry mouth, flushed skin, insomnia, nausea, nervousness, rash, vomiting.
Intravenously: Headache, itching, rash.

Intravenously: Fever, pustular drug eruption.

• Dermatologic 
• Gastrointestinal 
• Immunologic 
• Neurologic/CNS 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Possibly Effective      

Low-quality  clinical research shows that oral or intravenous Panax notoginseng may  improve the frequency and severity of angina symptoms.

Low-quality  clinical research shows that intravenous Panax notoginseng saponins may  improve recovery and mortality in patients with intracranial  hemorrhage.

Low-quality  clinical research in patients with ischemic stroke shows that oral or  intravenous Panax notoginseng may improve recovery as well as neurologic  and functional scores.

                                                                   Possibly Ineffective

Low-quality  clinical research shows that oral Panax notoginseng may not reduce the  risk of MI in patients with coronary heart disease.

                                                                   Insufficient Reliable Evidence to Rate                                                                       

Although  there has been interest in using oral Panax notoginseng for  atherosclerosis, there is insufficient reliable information about the  clinical effects of Panax notoginseng for this purpose.

It is unclear if oral Panax notoginseng is beneficial for improving athletic performance.

Although  there has been interest in using oral Panax notoginseng for bleeding,  there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of  Panax notoginseng for this purpose.

Although  there has been interest in using topical Panax notoginseng for bruises,  there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects  of Panax notoginseng for this purpose.

It is unclear if oral Panax notoginseng is beneficial for improving platelet aggregation and coagulation in patients with CHD.

It is unclear if oral Panax notoginseng is beneficial for reducing exercise-induced muscle soreness.

Although  there has been interest in using oral Panax notoginseng for hepatitis,  there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of  Panax notoginseng for this purpose.

Although  there has been interest in using oral Panax notoginseng for  hypertension, there is insufficient reliable information about the  clinical effects of Panax notoginseng for this purpose.

Although  there has been interest in using oral Panax notoginseng for NASH, there  is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of  Panax notoginseng for this purpose.

Oral Panax notoginseng has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.

Although  there has been interest in using oral Panax notoginseng for RA, there  is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of Panax  notoginseng for this purpose.

Rectal Panax notoginseng has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.

It  is unclear if oral or intravenous Panax notoginseng is beneficial for  the prevention of postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

More evidence is needed to rate Panax notoginseng for these uses.

Panax notoginseng has most commonly been used in doses of 100-400 mg 1-3 times daily for up to 6 weeks. See Effectiveness section for condition-specific information. 

Panax notoginseng has most commonly been used in doses of 200-400 mg once or twice daily for up to 10 weeks. See Effectiveness section for condition-specific information.

In  clinical trials, Panax notoginseng has been given orally or as an  injection. Oral products have included extracts and powders (17183, 94320, 94321, 94384). Common oral products have included Xuesaitong soft capsules or Sanqi guanxinning tablets (94321). Xuesaitong soft capsules contain 60 mg saponins per 120 mg capsule (94321). Products for intravenous use have included Xuesaitong, Xueshuantong, Lulutong, and Sanqi Zaotang (94324).  A specific product, Xueshuantong injection (XSTI), is primarily  comprised of saponins derived from the root and rhizome of Panax  notoginseng (98976).

Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.     Severity MODERATE   Occurrence POSSIBLE   Level of Evidence                                                                                 D (Theoretical based on pharmacology)    

Theoretically, taking Panax notoginseng concomitantly with aspirin may increase the risk of adverse effects from both products.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.     Severity MODERATE   Occurrence POSSIBLE   Level of Evidence                                                                                 D (In vitro or animal study)    Theoretically, taking Panax notoginseng may decrease the levels and clinical effects of caffeine.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.     Severity MODERATE   Occurrence POSSIBLE   Level of Evidence D                                                                                 (In vitro or animal study)    Theoretically, taking Panax notoginseng might reduce the levels and clinical effects of CYP1A2 substrates.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.     Severity MODERATE   Occurrence POSSIBLE   Level of Evidence D                                                                                 (In vitro or animal study)    Theoretically, taking Panax notoginseng concomitantly with warfarin may increase the risk of bleeding.

None known.        There is insufficient reliable information available about the presentation or treatment of overdose with Panax notoginseng.

The ginsenoside Rb1 has a low oral bioavailability from Panax notoginseng in animal research (11153, 94324).

When  given intravenously, the notoginsenoside derivative panaxatrol  disuccinate sodium declined rapidly in the plasma and had a broad  distribution (94325).

Clinical  research suggests that parent ginsenosides from Panax notoginseng are  deglycosylated into active metabolites by enzymes secreted from the gut  microbiota. These metabolites include ginsenoside F1, protopanaxatriol,  ginsenoside Rh2, ginsenoside compound K and protopanaxadiol (98975).

The ginsenoside Rg1 is rapidly eliminated from the blood in animal models (11153). The elimination rate of ginsenosides varies. Ginsenoside Rb1 has a slower clearance (94324).

The  applicable parts of Panax notoginseng are the root, flowers, fruits, and  leaves. The root is most commonly used medicinally (94323).  Panax notoginseng root contains 12% saponins; the most important are  triterpenoid saponins, which are referred to collectively as  ginsenosides or panaxosides (94323).  Ginsenosides is the term developed by Asian researchers, and the term  panaxosides was developed by Russian researchers. Numerous subtypes of  ginsenosides have been identified. Panax notoginseng contains  notoginsenosides R1 and R2, as well as the ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1, and  lesser amounts of Rd and Re (11153, 12536, 94323, 94325). The individual ginsenosides have been reported to have opposing effects (14802). Processing of the root, by steaming or baking, can alter levels of the individual saponins (4378).  The saponins are found throughout the plant. However, different types  of saponins are enriched in different parts of the plant (94323).

Although  the saponins are thought to be the most important constituents for  medicinal purposes, other constituents include flavonoids,  cyclodipeptides, sterols, polyacetylenes, and volatile constituents such  as terpenes (94323).

The  individual ginsenosides have been reported to have opposing effects on  angiogenesis in vitro. For example Rg1 has been reported to stimulate  angiogenesis, while Rb1 seems to inhibit angiogenesis (14802).

Although  this has not been shown in humans, Panax notoginseng and some saponin  constituents have shown anti-cancer effects in laboratory models. Panax  notoginseng seems to inhibit proliferation of cancer cells and induce  apoptosis (94323).

Panax  notoginseng is traditionally used for inflammatory conditions such as  muscle soreness, rheumatoid arthritis, and swelling. Laboratory research  suggests that Panax notoginseng contains constituents that can inhibit  the production of inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins. The  anti-inflammatory effects of Panax notoginseng might also result in the  protection of various organs and tissues in the body, including the  nervous system, the kidneys, and the liver (94323).

Some  research in non-diabetic humans suggests that unlike some other  ginsengs, Panax notoginseng doesn't affect postprandial blood glucose  levels (12536, 94318).  However, other research suggests that taking Panax notoginseng daily  for 3 days reduces postprandial glucose levels by approximately 20%,  especially 30 minutes into an oral glucose tolerance test (94318).  It is possible that the dosing schedule plays a role in these  differences. Taking Panax notoginseng for a few days prior to testing,  as well as just before testing, may be needed to see measurable effects  on blood glucose levels during an oral glucose test (94318). Animal research suggests that Panax notoginseng saponins can improve blood glucose levels by improving insulin sensitivity (94323).

Pananotin,  a protein isolated from Panax notoginseng root, seems to have  antifungal activity, according to preliminary research in vitro (11485).

Pananotin,  a protein isolated from Panax notoginseng root, seems to have antiviral  activity, according to preliminary research. It appears to inhibit HIV  reverse transcriptase in vitro (11485, 11486).

Panax  notoginseng is believed to dilate the coronary vessels, reduce vascular  resistance, and improve the coronary collateral circulation. This could  increase blood flow while reducing blood pressure. It could also reduce  the heart metabolic rate and oxygen consumption (5558, 94323).

Panax  notoginseng has been shown to have cardiovascular benefits in  laboratory and in vitro models. Panax notoginseng protects myocardial  cells, possibly by reducing oxidative stress or pro-inflammation  cellular signaling as shown with Panax notoginseng extract and some  constituents (6289, 94323). Evidence suggests Panax notoginseng also has an antiarrhythmic effect (5558).  Evidence from animal research suggests that Panax notoginseng might  reduce atherosclerosis. This is likely due to its lipid lowering and  anti-inflammatory properties (11487, 94323).  Certain constituents of Panax notoginseng, including ginsenoside Rg1,  have been associated with coagulation effects, including antiplatelet  and antithrombotic activity (11487, 17183, 94323, 96220). Thus, some Panax notoginseng constituents might be helpful to protect against cardiovascular diseases.

There  is interest in using Panax notoginseng for antithrombotic and  antiplatelet effects. However, some ginsenosides have been shown to  promote platelet aggregation. In contrast, a concentrated Panax  notoginseng extract called sanchitongtshu, containing 80% saponins,  primarily ginsenoside Rg1, inhibits platelet aggregation, decreases  blood viscosity, increases fibrinolysis, and promotes vascular  endothelial nitric oxide release (17183, 94323).  A meta-analysis of clinical research in humans also shows that using  Panax notoginseng injection for 3-14 days reduces D-dimer levels and  increases prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin clotting  time. However, the validity of these findings is limited by high  heterogeneity (105510).

Animal  and laboratory research shows that Panax notoginseng reduces platelet  aggregation by blocking the release of peroxisome proliferator-activated  receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) from thrombin-activated platelet cells; the  mechanism of action of this inhibited release is unclear (96220).  Animal research also suggests that orally administered Panax  notoginseng root can reduce fibrinogenemia, an increased level of  fibrinogen in the blood (11487).  Other animal research in rats shows that taking Panax notoginseng 118.8  mg/kg orally daily for 4 weeks, in addition to dual antiplatelet  therapy, further enhances platelet inhibition when compared with dual  antiplatelet therapy alone (109675).

Preliminary  information suggests the dried root of Panax notoginseng applied  topically may be useful as a hemostatic agent because it appears to  shorten bleeding time (4056). Some ginsenosides have been shown to promote platelet aggregation (94323).  This suggests that Panax notoginseng is useful in the healing of  wounds. Other animal research in rats shows that taking Panax  notoginseng 118.8 mg/kg orally daily for 4 weeks reduces gastric mucosal  damage from dual antiplatelet therapy when compared with control (109675).

In  vitro research shows that Panax notoginseng has estrogen-like activity.  Studies on human breast cancer cells indicate that Panax notoginseng  root, specifically its constituent ginsenonside-Rg1, acts as a  phytoestrogen by stimulating human breast cancer cell proliferation (11488).

Although  clinical evidence is lacking, laboratory research suggests that  saponins from Panax notoginseng have various stimulatory effects on the  immune system (94323). Further research is needed to determine if this might be useful for helping the immune system.

In  humans, Panax notoginseng has a small benefit for preventing delayed  muscle soreness following exercise. The mechanism is still not clear.  However, there is some evidence of a small effect on inflammatory  cytokines (94320).

Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) Inducers  

See Monograph References  

Literature Review Current Through: 9/16/2025, Last Updated: 7/5/2026

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