"Magic Medicine" Sanqi, what can you do?

Winter is a traditional healthy season. At this time of year, people will recommend all kinds of health foods, and Sanqi is the protagonist who will never be absent.

Sanqi (Source: Wikipedia)

There are so many arguments about the efficacy of Panax notoginseng that there is nothing that it can't cure. In detail, these effects can be divided into three categories: first, whitening and freckle removal for female compatriots; First, for office workers, soothe the nerves and resist fatigue; Others are aimed at the elderly, lowering blood pressure, blood lipid and blood sugar.

The efficacy of panax notoginseng (picture from the internet)

So, what exactly is notoginseng?

Notoginseng refers to the root of the plant Notoginseng. Notoginseng mentioned in various health preservation methods is often Notoginseng, that is, the powder made from the root of the plant Notoginseng.

In terms of composition, Panax notoginseng contains many substances, such as saponins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, volatile oils, amino acids and so on. Generally speaking, saponin is its main physiological active component. In the study of natural whitening ingredients, dozens of medicinal materials such as licorice and Ligusticum chuanxiong were mentioned, and there was no sign of Panax notoginseng. [6]

In view of this, it can be cautiously considered that Panax notoginseng has no whitening effect.

Secondly, talk about anti-fatigue.

Fatigue can be divided into two types. One is physical strength, which is related to muscles. In the process of exercise and heavy work, lactic acid accumulates in muscles, which in turn causes soreness. The other kind is miscellaneous, such as lack of sleep, poor air, bad mood, long-term sedentary and so on. These will all lead to fatigue.

The anti-fatigue research of Panax notoginseng mainly focuses on the former, mainly animal experiments. Let the mice swim until they are exhausted, and then fill their stomachs with Panax notoginseng saponin extract to observe their reactions. The results show that saponins can reduce the accumulation of lactic acid. [7] That is to say, Panax notoginseng shows certain effect on physical fatigue.

The problem is that most office workers are engaged in mental work, and the so-called fatigue has nothing to do with physical strength. Whether we can replicate the results of animal experiments is controversial.

Finally, the problem of three highs.

Hyperglycemia, hypertension and hyperlipidemia have always been hot areas, and there are many researches on Panax notoginseng.

These studies can be divided into three categories.

Take blood lipid research as an example. The first category is the theoretical level. It is generally believed that dyslipidemia will lead to vascular endothelial damage. Once the vascular endothelium is damaged, platelets will accumulate in the damaged area, which will lead to atherosclerosis.

Schematic diagram of atherosclerosis (source: Wikipedia)

In order to study the effect of Panax notoginseng on this, we can culture animal blood vessels in vitro, perfuse fat and Panax notoginseng saponin extract and observe the changes of blood vessels. The results show that panax notoginseng can block the damage of blood vessels caused by low concentration dyslipidemia to a certain extent. [8]

The second category is animal experiments. Let the animals suffer from hyperlipidemia first, and then determine the indexes related to blood lipid with Sanqi preparation.

There is a disagreement here. The experiment showed that the blood sugar and blood lipid of mice were significantly reduced if the total saponin extract of Panax notoginseng was infused. Some scholars feed rats with Panax notoginseng. Results Blood sugar did not change, and blood lipid decreased, but the degree was average, which could only be called moderate. [9]

The content of Panax Notoginseng saponins from different habitats is different, which is about 65438 00%. [10] Panax notoginseng enters the body, but it cannot be fully utilized by the human body, and its bioavailability is about 18%. [1 1] Although the total saponins of Panax Notoginseng show the effect of lowering blood lipid, it is hard to say how effective it will be to take Panax Notoginseng.

Someone has done clinical experiments. [12] But these clinical experiments either used drugs, such as injection related to Panax notoginseng, instead of Panax notoginseng, or the samples were few, with dozens of people in total, or the design was not ideal. Theoretically, one group used western medicine and the other group used notoginseng, and the therapeutic effects of the two groups were directly compared. However, in the study, one group often uses western medicine and the other group adds notoginseng, and the results are not so convincing.

Research on hypertension and hyperglycemia is similar. In theory, the total saponins of Panax Notoginseng have a certain curative effect, but whether oral Panax Notoginseng can treat these diseases still needs authoritative research to test. Notoginseng has not been listed as a first-line treatment drug in various expert knowledge and diagnosis and treatment guidelines.

Having said that, there are two things that cannot be ignored. First, Notoginseng is very similar to Notoginseng, and Notoginseng has certain hepatotoxicity [13]. If you decide to buy Sanqi, you must pay attention to discrimination, and it is best to consult professionals to avoid being deceived.

Secondly, according to the official classification, Notoginseng firstly belongs to medicine, and secondly can be added to health food, but in the process of declaring the homology of medicine and food, it has repeatedly hit a wall. As a kind of medicine, Panax notoginseng has a very narrow scope of application, only removing blood stasis to stop bleeding, reducing swelling and relieving pain; Panax notoginseng, as a health care product, has a wider range of functions, but any health care product can only publicize the health care efficacy, and it is not allowed to publicize the therapeutic efficacy. It is claimed that medicine and food have the same origin and hit a wall, indicating that healthy people do not need to take it for a long time. [ 14]

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refer to

[1], Ceng Jiang, Cui, et al. Studies on chemical constituents of Panax notoginseng (Ⅱ) [D] .2007.

[2] National Pharmacopoeia Committee. Pharmacopoeia of China (version 20 15) [M]. China Medical Science and Technology Press, 20 15.

[3] Liu, Wang Ling, et al. Research progress of skin melanin formation mechanism and development status of skin whitening agents [J]. Beijing Daily Chemical, 2009( 1): 2430.

[4] Jin Jihai. Cardiovascular disease and ginseng: A review of molecular mechanism and medical application [J]. Journal of Ginseng Research, 2012,36 (1):1626.

, Chen,, Yu. New progress in pharmacological research of Panax notoginseng [D]. 2005.

Liu Wei. Study on the application of natural whitening ingredients in whitening cosmetics [J]. Guangdong Chemical Industry, 2016,43 (13): 4749.

Yongxin X, Jianjun Z. Evaluation of anti-fatigue activity of panax notoginseng saponins [J]. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 20 13,137 (1):15155.

Marco don king. Experimental research progress of panax notoginseng saponins [J]. Zhejiang Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 2002,12 (3):197198.

Cicero Afg, Vitaly G, Savineau G, et al. Effects of Panax notoginseng (Berk) on fibrosis and blood lipid level in rats fed with high-fat diet [J]. Phytotherapy Research, 2003,17 (2):174178.

[10] Sun, Xiang Feijun, et al. Comparison of Panax Notoginseng Saponins in Different Areas of Yunnan [J]. Journal of Wenshan University, 2013,26 (6): 810.

Xu Qingfeng, Fang Xinlin, Chen Dafeng. Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of ginsenoside Rb 1 and Rg 1 in Panax notoginseng in rats [J]. Journal of Ethnological Pharmacology, 2003,84 (2):187192

Thaung Myint, Tang Xiaoling, Chen Rong. Clinical Research Progress of Panax Notoginseng Saponins in Treating Cardiovascular Diseases [J]. China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine Information, 2006, 13(9): 9396.

Xu Jing, Wang Maorong. Research Progress of Hepatic Venous Occlusion Syndrome Caused by Panax Notoginseng [J]. Journal of Practical Hepatology, 20 13( 1): 9496.

[14] Can Panax notoginseng be taken for a long time? -xinhuanet [EB/OL]. [2018-11-14]. The signed articles published in this website only represent the author's views and have nothing to do with this website. If there is any infringement, you are responsible.

Author: Zhao Yanchang