Sanguisorba officinalis (Sanguisorba officinalis): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Sanguisorba officinalis stop bleeding?

Sanguisorba officinalis exerts hemostatic effects primarily through its high tannin content, which causes protein precipitation and local vasoconstriction at wound sites. The active compounds, including sanguisorbin and ziyuglycoside I, promote blood clotting by enhancing platelet aggregation and constricting blood vessels. These astringent properties make it effective for treating bleeding conditions, hemorrhoids, and wounds in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and European folk medicine. Evidence level: C (preclinical and traditional use data).

Is Sanguisorba officinalis safe during pregnancy?

Sanguisorba officinalis is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. The herb's strong hemostatic and astringent properties may stimulate uterine contractions and potentially harm the developing fetus. Traditional contraindications explicitly warn against use during pregnancy, particularly at therapeutic doses of 6-12 grams. Women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding should not use this herb without explicit medical supervision. Evidence level: C (traditional contraindication).

Does Sanguisorba officinalis interact with any medications?

Due to its significant tannin content, Sanguisorba officinalis may potentially reduce absorption of iron supplements and certain medications when taken concurrently. The herb's hemostatic properties could theoretically enhance the effects of anticoagulant medications like warfarin or antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin, increasing bleeding risk. However, specific clinical interaction studies are lacking. Patients taking blood thinners or iron supplements should consult a healthcare provider before using this herb. Evidence level: C (theoretical based on constituent profile).

What is the recommended dosage of Sanguisorba officinalis?

The traditional adult dosage of Sanguisorba officinalis is 6-12 grams of dried root daily, typically prepared as a decoction in Traditional Chinese Medicine. For topical application on burns and wounds, preparations are applied externally to affected areas. Dosage should be individualized based on the specific condition being treated. Higher doses may cause constipation due to the herb's significant tannin content. Always follow guidance from a qualified healthcare practitioner familiar with botanical medicine.

What is Sanguisorba officinalis used for in traditional medicine?

Sanguisorba officinalis has been used for centuries in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and European folk medicine. Primary traditional uses include treating various bleeding conditions, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and burns. In TCM, it is classified as a hemostatic herb used to stop both internal and external bleeding. Topically, it promotes healing of burns and wounds due to its astringent and antimicrobial tannins. The root is the primary plant part used medicinally. Evidence level: C (traditional use documentation).

What are the side effects of Sanguisorba officinalis?

The most commonly reported side effect of Sanguisorba officinalis is constipation, particularly when taken at higher doses. This effect is attributed to the herb's significant tannin content, which produces strong astringent action on the digestive tract. Other potential effects may include mild gastrointestinal discomfort. The herb should be discontinued if severe constipation occurs. Long-term safety data is limited, so extended use should be monitored by a qualified healthcare provider. Evidence level: C (traditional use reports).

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Sanguisorba officinalis is a medicinal plant from the Rosaceae family used traditionally for its hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties [PMID:29433389, PMID:34616302].

Background

Sanguisorba officinalis L. (also known as Di-Yu in Chinese) is a plant belonging to the Rosaceae family distributed across temperate and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere [PMID:34616302, PMID:40083146].

Traditional uses

It has been used traditionally in China, Korea, and Japan for the treatment of burns, hematemesis, melena, intestinal infections, dermatitis, and as a hemostatic and blood-cooling agent [PMID:29433389, PMID:34616302, PMID:42336119].

Active compounds

The root contains triterpenoid saponins (zigyuglycoside I and II), tannins (sanguiin H-6), ellagitannins, phenolic glycosides, and polysaccharides [PMID:29433389, PMID:41375170, PMID:33205667, PMID:42336119]. Other identified components include ferulic acid, bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoids, and aryl-tetralin-type lignans [PMID:40571222, PMID:40083146, PMID:29945462].

Mechanism of action

Mechanisms include inhibition of the PI3K-AKT/NF-κB/STAT3 pathway in ulcerative colitis [PMID:37717310], inhibition of the TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway in colon cancer [PMID:40607420], and inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in colorectal cancer [PMID:34785413]. It also acts via Nrf2 stimulation [PMID:37516332] and promotes thrombopoiesis via TLR4/JAK2/STAT3 signaling (specifically ferulic acid) [PMID:40571222].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DUlcerative Colitis

Ethyl acetate extract attenuates UC by inhibiting the PI3K-AKT/NF-κB/STAT3 pathway [PMID:37717310]; combined with Sophora japonica, it inhibits pathological angiogenesis and inflammation [PMID:40518692].

Evidence DColorectal Cancer

Aqueous extracts suppress growth and metastasis by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway [PMID:34785413] and enhance 5-fluorouracil sensitivity via Ras/MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways [PMID:37484409].

Evidence DObesity/Hepatic Steatosis

Standardized extract decreased lipid accumulation and ROS production in adipocytes and ameliorated hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in mice [PMID:37107257, PMID:37686810].

Evidence DThrombocytopenia

Ferulic acid (a component of S. officinalis) promotes megakaryocyte maturation and platelet production [PMID:40571222].

Evidence BSkin Wrinkling

Root extract and ziyuglycoside I inhibit HYBID-mediated hyaluronan degradation [PMID:30485450].

Safety & adverse effects

Triterpenoid constituents have been reported to possess anti-wrinkle properties without cytotoxicity [PMID:29433389].

Evidence summary

The majority of evidence is derived from in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), with one RCT focusing on cosmetic skin applications (Level B). There is strong preclinical evidence for anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities, but human clinical trial data is lacking in the provided abstracts.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 37717310 (2023) — Sanguisorba officinalis ethyl acetate extract attenuates ulcerative colitis through inhibiting PI3K-AKT/NF-κB/ STAT3 pathway uncovered by single-cell RNA sequencing. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2.PMID: 29433389 (2018) — Phytotherapeutic Activities of Sanguisorba officinalis and its Chemical Constituents: A Review. · The American journal of Chinese medicine
3.PMID: 40571222 (2025) — Ferulic acid promotes thrombopoiesis via TLR4/JAK2/STAT3 signaling: A novel therapeutic strategy for thrombocytopenia. · Biochemical pharmacology
4.PMID: 40607420 (2025) — The processed Sanguisorba officinalis L. triterpenoids prevent colon cancer through the TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway, combined with network pharmacology, molecular simulation dynamics and experimental verification. · Frontiers in immunology
5.PMID: 34616302

Sanguisorba officinalis

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Sanguisorba officinalis