Is it better to have more or fewer notoginseng heads?

The classification or grades of notoginseng are divided by the number of heads. The basis for the number of heads is 500 grams as the standard. How many complete, individual notoginseng roots there are indicates how many heads there are. For example, 10-head notoginseng refers to 10 notoginseng roots weighing 1 jin, and 20-head notoginseng refers to 20 to 29 notoginseng roots weighing 1 jin, and so on. Now let us take a look at whether more heads or fewer heads is better for notoginseng.

Is it better to have more or fewer notoginseng heads?

The fewer the heads of notoginseng, the better. The fewer the number of notoginseng roots, the larger each individual notoginseng is, and the larger the size, the higher the medicinal content and the better the effect when taken. This is because notoginseng has 3 layers. The innermost layer is the notoginseng heart, also called the tree heart, while the second layer is the membrane wrapping the heart, usually yellow or reddish-white, and the outermost layer is the skin, which has relatively low medicinal value. The medicinal content of notoginseng is all in the notoginseng heart. The thicker the heart, the richer the medicinal content. Therefore, the larger the individual notoginseng, the better the notoginseng.

Is bigger notoginseng better?

1. The larger the notoginseng, the higher the medicinal components: The grade of notoginseng is divided according to the size of the individual notoginseng. Even with the same three years of cultivation and the same growing environment, some notoginseng is large and some is small. This is normal. The larger the notoginseng, the higher the medicinal content and the more active ingredients. The smaller the size, the lower the medicinal components of notoginseng, and the medicinal value is not great.

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

The effects and functions of notoginseng

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

[Meridian entry] Enters the liver and stomach meridians.

[Effects] Disperses blood stasis and stops bleeding, reduces swelling and relieves pain. Used for hemoptysis, hematemesis, epistaxis, hemafecia, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, traumatic bleeding, stabbing pain in the chest and abdomen, and swelling and pain from falls and blows.

1. "Compendium of Materia Medica": Stops bleeding, disperses blood, and relieves pain. For metal wounds, arrow wounds, falls, beatings, and cane injuries with uncontrollable 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 stools, bloody dysentery, uterine bleeding with incessant menstruation, retention of lochia after childbirth, blood dizziness and blood pain, red eyes, carbuncle swelling, tiger bites, snake bites, and various diseases.

2. "Bencao Qiuzhen": 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. "Bencao Congxin": Disperses blood and relieves pain, treats hematemesis, epistaxis, bloody dysentery, bloody uterine bleeding, red eyes, and carbuncle swelling.