Yunnan Baiyao (YNBY; “White medicine from the Province of Yunnan” in Mandarin), is among the well-known proprietary traditional Chinese medicine products. It was formulated a century ago and became a popular remedy for wound healing during the Vietnam War. In the last few decades, the trade name YNBY has been expanded into a product line that includes pills, tinctures, and toothpaste. The original formula is believed to contain multiple herbs with notoginseng as the main ingredient. It is also promoted as a dietary supplement that can be used both externally and internally to stop bleeding and to treat cancer in humans and in animals. Other claims include relief from minor aches and pains associated with backache, arthritis, strains, bruises, and sprains ⁽¹⁾.

In vitro and animal studies suggest YNBY and notoginseng have hemostatic ^{(2) (3) (4) (5)}, anti-inflammatory ^{(8) (9) (10) (11) (12)} and antimicrobial ⁽⁵⁾ effects. Notoginseng by itself demonstrated anticoagulant, antiplatelet ⁽⁶⁾, and fibrinolytic ⁽⁷⁾ activities.

Clinical studies suggest that YNBY may help treat uterine hemorrhage, ulcerative colitis and skin ulcers ⁽¹³⁾. Other preliminary data suggest topical application of a yunnan baiyao paste may reduce hospital-acquired pressure ulcers ⁽³¹⁾. It also reduced intraoperative blood loss during prostate ⁽¹⁴⁾ and oral surgery ⁽¹⁵⁾. Case reports suggest that adjunctive topical YNBY may reduce bleeding in cancer patients ⁽²⁹⁾, but it has not been studied as a cancer treatment.

YNBY demonstrates hemostatic effects when applied topically on open wounds ⁽²⁾. Microscopic examination identified nanofiber components which may help activate blood clotting, act as scaffolding for tissue repair, and prevent infection by wound sealing ⁽⁴⁾. Preclinical studies suggest anti-inflammatory activity may occur through lymphocyte suppression and proinflammatory cytokine expression ⁽¹¹⁾ and modulation of COX and LOX pathways ⁽³⁰⁾. YNBY extract may also activate intracellular prostaglandin E(2) and thromboxane B(2) in osteoblasts ⁽⁸⁾.

Anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects by notoginseng may occur via fibrinogen reduction ^{(6) (7)}. Notoginseng also protected endothelial function and vascular integrity by regulating focal adhesion kinase, integrin expression and NF-kappa B functions ^{(19) (20)}, and inhibited vascular intimal hyperplasia by lowering expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, cyclinE, cyclinD1, FN and MMP-9. ⁽²¹⁾. Antimicrobial activity has been suggested in a Pseudomonas aeruginosa model, wherein a water extract of YNBY reduced bacterial virulence by affecting quorum-sensing signaling and reducing biofilm formation ⁽⁵⁾.

In other studies, notoginsenoside Ft1, a saponin constituent, induced platelet aggregation by binding to platelet P2Y₁₂ receptors ⁽³⁾. It demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting neutrophil function and NO and PGE2 production through reduced iNOS and COX-2 expression ⁽¹⁰⁾. In peritoneal macrophages, notoginseng had a bidirectional regulatory effect, inhibiting COX-2 expression at an early stage and elevating it at a later stage ⁽²²⁾. Data also suggest it can inhibit expression of NF-kappaB activity and TNF-alpha mRNA ⁽¹²⁾. Notoginseng may play a role in periodontal disease treatment by suppressing MMP-2 expression and by inhibiting breakdown of bone tissue ⁽⁹⁾. In another study, Ginsenoside-Rd isolated from notoginseng reduced atherosclerosis by inhibiting LDL uptake and cholesterol accumulation in macrophages ⁽²³⁾.

Some studies report that notoginseng and constituent ginsenosides mimic estrogen ⁽¹⁶⁾ by binding and activating the estrogen receptor ⁽¹⁸⁾ and ER-alpha pathway ⁽¹⁷⁾. In an animal study, notoginseng selectively sensitized tumor cells to radiation ⁽²⁴⁾. However, this effect has not been demonstrated in humans.

16 Capsules per package

Dried extract of the following blend of ingredients:

250mg per capsule
Tienchi Ginseng (San Qi) Root, Chinese Yam (Shan Yao) Root, Dioscorea nipponica (Chuan Shan Long) Root, Geraniium thunbergii (Zhong Ri Lao Guan Cao) Aerial Parts and Borneolum Syntherticum (Bing Pian).

Other ingredients: Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (vegetable capsule)