Panax Notoginseng (Tianqi): Benefits, Traditional Uses, and How to Take It

Panax notoginseng, commonly known as Tianqi or Sanqi, is a well-known herb in traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for hundreds of years. In East Asian herbal traditions, it is valued for its role in supporting circulation, promoting recovery after physical strain, and maintaining overall wellness.

In many Chinese households, Tianqi is also used in traditional food therapy. For example, it is sometimes added to soups prepared during adolescence as part of a nourishing diet, often combined with regular exercise and balanced nutrition.

Today, Tianqi remains popular among people interested in herbal wellness, natural supplements, and traditional medicinal plants.

What Is Tianqi (Panax Notoginseng)?

Tianqi (Panax notoginseng) belongs to the Araliaceae family, the same botanical family as ginseng. The herb is mainly cultivated in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces in China, where the climate and soil conditions are ideal for producing high-quality roots.

The medicinal part of the plant is its dried root. A typical Tianqi root has the following characteristics:

• Cylindrical or slightly conical shape
• Grey-brown outer surface
• A visible stem scar at the top
• Greenish or yellow-green interior when cut
• Mild herbal aroma
• Slightly bitter taste with a sweet aftertaste

Because of its long history and value in herbal traditions, Tianqi is sometimes referred to as “Gold That Cannot Be Replaced.”

Traditional Properties in Chinese Medicine

According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Tianqi has the following characteristics:

• Flavor: Sweet and slightly bitter
• Nature: Warm
• Associated meridians: Liver and stomach

Traditionally, Tianqi has been used to:

• Support healthy blood circulation
• Reduce swelling and discomfort after injury
• Promote recovery from bruising or trauma
• Support cardiovascular health
• Maintain general vitality

Modern phytochemical research has found that Tianqi contains notoginsenosides and saponins, plant compounds that are widely studied for their biological activity related to circulation and inflammatory response.

⚠️ Note: Tianqi powder is a concentrated herbal ingredient. Long-term or excessive consumption should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.

How to Choose High-Quality Tianqi

When purchasing Tianqi roots or powder, quality can vary significantly. Traditional herbal practitioners often evaluate Tianqi using the following criteria.

1. Appearance

High-quality Tianqi roots usually have:

• A cylindrical or rounded main root
• Small wart-like bumps on the surface
• Grey-brown or grey-yellow outer skin
• Dense texture and relatively heavy weight

2. Origin

The most valued Tianqi traditionally comes from Yunnan Province, especially the Wenshan region.

Roots harvested in spring are often considered higher quality than those harvested in winter.

3. Internal Color

When cut open, good Tianqi roots show a grey-green interior with no cracks and a noticeable herbal aroma.

4. Root Size Classification (Head Count)

Tianqi is often graded according to how many roots are contained in 500 grams.

Typical grades include:

• 20 heads – premium grade
• 30 heads
• 40 heads
• 60 heads
• 80 heads
• 120 heads

Generally, fewer heads indicate larger roots and higher quality.

For everyday herbal use, 30–60 heads is common.

5. Powder Color

High-quality Tianqi powder is typically grey-yellow in color.

Potential Benefits of Tianqi

Supports Circulation

Tianqi contains notoginsenosides, which are studied for their potential role in supporting healthy blood flow and vascular function.

Helps With Bruising and Recovery

Traditionally, Tianqi has been used in Chinese medicine to support recovery after bruising, swelling, or physical injury.

Antioxidant Properties

Tianqi contains natural plant compounds such as flavonoids, which may contribute to antioxidant activity.

Skin and Beauty Support

In traditional herbal skincare practices, Tianqi powder is sometimes used in facial masks because of its antioxidant content and potential support for skin circulation.

Supports Energy and Vitality

In herbal dietary traditions, Tianqi is sometimes added to soups or teas to support general wellness and energy levels.

How to Take Tianqi (Sanqi)

There are several common ways to consume Tianqi powder.

1. Mix Tianqi Powder With Warm Water

One of the simplest methods is mixing Tianqi powder with warm water below 40°C (104°F).

Typical serving size:
around 3 grams per serving

Some people may find the taste slightly bitter.

2. Cook Tianqi in Herbal Soups

In traditional Chinese food therapy, Tianqi is often added to soups such as:

• Tianqi chicken soup
• Tianqi pork rib soup
• Tianqi pigeon soup

Cooking Tianqi with protein-rich foods is traditionally believed to enhance its nourishing properties.

How to Turn Herbal Powders Into Capsules at Home

Many herbal ingredients, including Tianqi, are commonly sold in powder form. While mixing the powder with water or cooking it in soups are traditional methods, some people prefer a more convenient option.

A practical modern solution is to fill herbal powders into empty capsules.

This method allows people to take herbal ingredients without dealing with bitter taste and provides more precise dosage control.

To prepare herbal capsules at home, you typically need:

• Empty capsules
• Herbal powder
• A capsule filling machine

Choosing the Right Capsule Size for Herbal Powders

Empty capsules usually range from size 000 (largest) to size 5 (smallest).

Commonly used sizes include:

Capsule Size	Capacity	Recommendation
000	Very large	Large herbal doses
00	Large	Standard supplements
0	Medium	Most common
1	Medium-small	Easy to swallow
2-5	Small	Light doses