Panax notoginseng is a perennial plant that grows naturally in China and is one of the best-known herbs of the ginseng family of plants. The herb is commonly known as Chinese ginseng in English and is cultivated as well as collected from wild forests for its medicinal properties. Its dark green leaves, red berries, and more importantly its roots are used to make medicines to treat different ailments. The extract is made by grinding the beneficial parts of the plants into a powder to be taken orally as a pill or as it is. It tastes mostly sweet and a little bitter. The powder can also be mixed with water to form a paste that can be applied directly to the skin to relieve bruising or swelling.
Here are five of the many benefits of the Panax notoginseng extract.
Stops Bleeding
The extract from the Panax notoginseng plant is helpful in stopping or slowing down internal bleeding. People suffering from nosebleed or those who cough up blood find positive benefits from this herb extract. Those who may find blood in their stool or urine are also sometimes prescribed this medicine by doctors in traditional Chinese medicine. Notoginseng extract is also known to be effective against internal hemorrhage, especially intracranial hemorrhage which is bleeding inside the skull.
Notoginseng has therapeutic properties that help to regulate a person’s blood flow by relaxing their blood vessels. This, in turn, helps to keep the blood pressure in check and promotes proper circulation of blood. By improving blood circulation, the herb can reduce aches and soreness in our bodies.
Chest Pain
Angina, popularly known as chest pain, is a silent disease that quietly affects millions around the world and is often overlooked until too late simply due to the subdued nature of its initial symptoms. In China, doctors often recommend notoginseng doses to patients who are affected by angina. The extract can be taken orally as a pill or can be administered via an injection in case quick relief is the necessity.
Research has revealed that when the Panax notoginseng is taken along with conventional medicines for angina, it seems to reduce chest pain and provide relief to the suffering patient. The medicinal herb, if taken regularly, may also lower the chances of such chest pains as well as reduce how long such pain lasts.
Strokes
Cerebrovascular accident is a medical term that refers to the condition when the lack of flow of blood to the brain may lead to cell death. It is more commonly known as a stroke and is responsible for a wide number of deaths each year. It is well known that Panax notoginseng has certain medicinal properties that help to regulate blood flow in the human body. Since it can regulate blood flow, the notoginseng extract is useful in dealing with strokes.
Patients recovering after a stroke are often given notoginseng injections to help them better deal with the after-effects of such a debilitating disease. In the case of a person already showing symptoms of stroke, the extract can be taken orally or injected to provide relief and possible improvement of the immediate condition of the patient.
Regulates Blood Pressure
The silent killer is responsible for more than thousands of daily deaths worldwide. Irregularities in blood pressure often go unnoticed until the symptoms are so pronounced that there are no options left but to rush to the hospital. Timely identification and treatment of symptoms are very important in keeping deadly diseases at bay. This is where Panax notoginseng comes along. The unassuming plant is effective in dealing with both low blood pressure as well as high blood pressure. Due to its blood flow regulating properties, this herb is just the natural remedy needed to keep the blood pressure in check.
Scientific research is still ongoing and evidence in this regard is insufficient as of now.
Anti-inflammation
Inflammation is responsible for Coronary artery disease (CAD) as well as atherosclerosis. Immune may gather in the early lesions and instigate the inflammation which can further induce acute coronary syndrome. Treatment with notoginseng seems to reduce the risk from inflammations and the extract from the herb is used in traditional Chinese medicine as an anti-inflammatory. However, there is still not enough evidence to rate the effectiveness of the herb in dealing with inflammation.
The Panax notoginseng is one of the most commonly used herbs in Chinese traditional medicines and is safe to ingest orally or inject via injection. Pregnant women should avoid using the extract and consult their doctor before doing so.