Is a higher or lower head count better for Panax notoginseng?

Panax notoginseng classification or grades are divided by head count. The head count is based on 500 grams as the standard: the number of complete, separate roots indicates the number of heads. For example, 10-head Panax notoginseng means 10 roots weighing 1 jin, 20-head Panax notoginseng means 20 to 29 roots weighing 1 jin, and so on. Now let us take a look at whether more heads or fewer heads is better for Panax notoginseng!

Is more heads or fewer heads better for Panax notoginseng?

The fewer the heads of Panax notoginseng, the better. The fewer the roots, the larger each Panax notoginseng root is, and the larger the root, the higher the medicinal content and the better the effect when taken. This is because Panax notoginseng has 3 layers: the innermost layer is the core of the root, also called the tree core; the second layer is the membrane wrapped around the core, usually yellow or reddish-white; and the outermost layer is the skin, which has relatively low medicinal value. The medicinal content of Panax notoginseng is all in the core. The thicker the core, the richer the medicinal content, so the larger the Panax notoginseng root, the better it is.

Is bigger always better for Panax notoginseng?

1. The larger the Panax notoginseng, the higher the medicinal components: The grade of Panax notoginseng is divided according to the size of the root. Even with the same three years of cultivation and the same growing environment, some Panax notoginseng roots are large and some are small, which is normal. The larger the Panax notoginseng, the higher the medicinal content and the more active ingredients. The smaller the root, the lower the medicinal components and the less significant the medicinal value.

2. The larger the Panax notoginseng, the longer the cultivation years: The size of the Panax notoginseng root is greatly related to the cultivation years. The longer the cultivation years, the larger the root. The size of Panax notoginseng is a main standard for measuring its grade. The larger the root, the higher the grade and the higher the price.

Efficacy and effects of Panax notoginseng

[Nature and flavor] Sweet in taste, slightly bitter, warm in nature.

[Meridian entry] Enters the liver and stomach meridians.

[Efficacy] Disperses blood stasis and stops bleeding, reduces swelling and relieves pain. Used for hemoptysis, hematemesis, epistaxis, bloody stool, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, traumatic bleeding, stabbing pain in the chest and abdomen, swelling and pain from falls, and other conditions.

1. Compendium of Materia Medica: Stops bleeding, disperses blood, and relieves pain. For wounds from metal blades and arrows, falls, beatings, and bloody wounds with unceasing bleeding, chew it thoroughly and apply it, or grind it into powder and sprinkle it on, and the bleeding will stop. It also treats hematemesis, epistaxis, bloody stool, bloody dysentery, uterine bleeding with unceasing menstruation, retention of lochia after childbirth, blood dizziness and blood pain, red eyes, carbuncle swelling, and various conditions such as tiger bites and snake bites.

2. Ben Cao Qiu Zhen: Specifically enters the liver and stomach, and also enters the heart and large intestine. Also called mountain lacquer. Li Shizhen said that some say it can heal metal wounds, like lacquer sticking to objects.

3. Ben Cao Cong Xin: Disperses blood and relieves pain. Treats hematemesis, epistaxis, bloody dysentery, blood collapse, red eyes, and carbuncle swelling.