Herb

Di Yu

Sanguisorba root | 地榆

Also known as:

Sanguisorba Root , Bloodwort Root

Di Yu

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Properties

Hemostatic herbs (止血药) · Slightly Cool

Traditionally supports*

Digestive Health Hemorrhoid Support Burn Care Women's Health

Parts Used

Root (根 gēn)

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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About This Herb

Traditional Chinese Medicine background and properties

Herb Description

Di Yu (Sanguisorba root) is a cooling, astringent herb best known for stopping bleeding, especially in the lower body such as rectal bleeding, hemorrhoids, and bloody stool. It is also widely used externally for burns, scalds, and eczema, where it reduces pain and promotes healing. Its cool and bitter nature makes it most suited for bleeding and skin conditions caused by excess Heat.

Herb Category

Hemostatic herbs (止血药) Herbs that cool the Blood and stop bleeding (凉血止血药)

Main Actions

  • Cools the Blood and Stops Bleeding
  • Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity
  • Promotes Tissue Regeneration and Heals Sores

How These Actions Work

'Cools Blood and stops bleeding' means Di Yu clears Heat from the Blood level, which helps stop hemorrhaging caused by Heat driving Blood out of the vessels. Its cool, bitter, and astringent nature makes it descend and settle in the lower body, which is why it is especially effective for bleeding in the lower parts of the body: rectal bleeding, bloody dysentery, hemorrhoidal bleeding, and uterine bleeding. The bitter flavour clears Heat while the sour and astringent flavours contract the vessels and hold Blood in place.

'Clears Heat and resolves toxins' means Di Yu can address toxic Heat conditions, particularly in the intestines. This applies to conditions like bacterial dysentery and infected wounds where Heat and toxins cause inflammation and tissue damage. Its antimicrobial tannins contribute to this action in biomedical terms.

'Astringes sores and promotes healing' refers to Di Yu's external application for burns, scalds, eczema, and skin ulceration. When ground into fine powder and mixed with sesame oil, it forms a protective layer over burned or damaged skin that reduces fluid leakage, eases pain, and speeds healing. There is a well-known saying in Chinese medicine that translates roughly as: 'If you have Di Yu bark at home, you need not fear burns.' It is considered one of the most important herbs for treating thermal burns and scalds.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony that reveal what's out of balance in the body. Di Yu is traditionally associated with these specific patterns.

The following describes this herb's classification within Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and is provided for educational purposes only.

Why Di Yu addresses this pattern

Di Yu is bitter, sour, astringent, and slightly cool in nature, entering the Liver and Large Intestine channels. It directly clears Heat from the Blood level in the lower body. When Heat invades the Blood, it forces Blood to leave the vessels, causing bleeding. Di Yu's cool nature counteracts this Heat, its bitter flavour descends and drains Fire, and its sour and astringent flavours constrict the vessels to stop bleeding. This makes it one of the primary herbs for Blood Heat bleeding in the lower body.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Bleeding

Bright red blood in stool, especially before or after bowel movements

Hemorrhoids

Bleeding hemorrhoids with red blood

Bloody Stool

Blood mixed with stool from intestinal Heat

Postmenstrual Bleeding

Uterine bleeding due to Blood Heat

TCM Properties

Temperature

Slightly Cool

Taste

Bitter (苦 kǔ), Sour (酸 suān), Astringent (涩 sè)

Channels Entered
Liver Large Intestine Stomach
Parts Used

Root (根 gēn)

This is partial information on the herb's TCM properties. More detailed information is available on the herb's dedicated page

Product Details

Manufacturing, supplier, and product specifications

Product Type

Granules

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Botanical & Sourcing

Quality Indicators

Good quality Di Yu root (地榆) is thick, heavy, and hard with a greyish-brown to dark brown exterior showing longitudinal wrinkles. The cross-section should be relatively flat with a distinct pink or pale reddish colour (the more vivid the pink/red, the better) and a wood portion showing a subtle radial pattern. The taste should be slightly bitter and astringent, with a very faint aroma. Avoid roots that are soft, lightweight, hollow, darkened throughout, or excessively fibrous. For Mian Di Yu (绵地榆, long-leafed variety), look for a reddish-brown to purplish-brown surface with fine longitudinal lines; the cross-section should be yellowish-brown to reddish-brown with visible pale yellowish-white cottony fibres in the bark layer. In both types, the smell should be faint and mild.

Primary Growing Regions

Di Yu is widely distributed across China and has no single strongly defined 道地 (daodi) region, but historical and modern sources identify the best quality as coming from the eastern and central provinces. Primary production areas include Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, Hebei, and Zhejiang provinces. Additional significant production occurs in Gansu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia, Hunan, Hubei, Jilin, and Liaoning. The earliest recorded sources were Tongbai (桐柏, modern Henan) and Yuanju (冤句, modern Shandong). The long-leafed variety known as Mian Di Yu (绵地榆) is mainly produced in Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Jiangxi. The plant grows wild in mountainous shrublands, grasslands, hillside meadows, and along field embankments throughout much of China.

Harvesting Season

Spring (before new shoots emerge) or autumn (after the above-ground parts have withered). Roots are harvested after 2-3 years of growth.

Supplier Information

Treasure of the East

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Miscellaneous Info

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Usage & Safety

How to use this herb and important safety information

Important Medical Disclaimer

The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. This herb is a dietary supplement and has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking other medications. Discontinue use and consult your healthcare provider if you experience any adverse reactions.

Recommended Dosage

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Instructions for safe storage and consumption

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Traditional Dosage Reference

Standard

6-15g

Maximum

Up to 30g in decoction for acute bleeding conditions; fresh herb can be used at 30-120g. For topical use, dosage is as needed. Do not exceed 30g for dried root without practitioner supervision.

Notes

For stopping bleeding (止血), use the charred form (Di Yu Tan, 地榆炭) at 6-15g, as charring enhances the hemostatic effect. For clearing Heat and resolving toxins (e.g. in burns, eczema, sores), use the raw form (Sheng Di Yu) at 6-15g internally or as needed externally. Li Shizhen noted that the upper portion of the root (上截) is preferred for stopping bleeding, while the root tip (梢) has a Blood-moving action. When used externally for burns, the raw herb is ground into a fine powder and mixed with sesame oil to form a paste. For ulcerative colitis or chronic dysentery, higher doses up to 30g may be used. Fresh Di Yu juice can be taken at 30-120g equivalent for acute conditions.

Processing Methods

Processing method

Stir-fry Di Yu slices over high heat (wu huo) until the surface is charred black and the interior is dark brown, then sprinkle with a small amount of water to extinguish sparks. Remove and allow to cool completely.

How it changes properties

Charring reduces the tannin content somewhat but increases the astringent, hemostatic effect. The cooling and Heat-clearing properties are weakened, while the ability to constrict bleeding vessels and stop hemorrhage is enhanced. The charred form is less cold than the raw herb, making it slightly more suitable for patients who are not strongly Heat-type. Experimental studies show charred Di Yu shortens bleeding time by roughly 45%, compared to about 32% for the raw form.

When to use this form

Use Di Yu Tan (charred form) when the primary goal is internal hemostasis, such as for persistent bloody stool, hemorrhoidal bleeding, or uterine bleeding. This is the standard form prescribed for internal use to stop bleeding.

Toxicity Classification

Non-toxic

Di Yu is classified as non-toxic in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Its root contains approximately 17% tannins and 2.5-4% triterpenoid saponins (including ziyuglycoside I and II), along with gallic acid, ellagic acid, and sanguiin H-6. At standard oral doses, these compounds are well tolerated. However, classical sources note that excessive use can injure the Stomach, potentially causing loss of appetite or lockjaw-like symptoms (口噤不食). In topical use for extensive burns, there is a concern that large amounts of tannins absorbed through damaged skin over a wide area could stress the liver. For this reason, topical application over burns exceeding 30% of body surface area should be approached cautiously.

Contraindications

Caution

Deficiency-cold patterns of the Spleen and Stomach. Di Yu is bitter and cold in nature, which can further damage an already weak and cold digestive system. Classical sources warn that it 'can injure the Stomach' (性能伤胃).

Caution

Qi deficiency with sinking, presenting as chronic prolapse-type bleeding (崩漏) or prolonged dysentery with dark, turbid blood. The Ben Jing Feng Yuan states this is a firm contraindication (切禁), as the condition requires tonifying and raising Qi, not cooling and descending.

Caution

Bleeding due to Blood stasis (瘀血) rather than Blood Heat. Di Yu's astringent, cooling nature may trap stasis and worsen the condition. Only use when bleeding is bright red and caused by Heat in the Blood.

Caution

Upper body bleeding (hematemesis, epistaxis) as the primary target. While Di Yu can be used for these, its descending nature makes it most suited to lower body bleeding. For upper body bleeding, other herbs may be more appropriate as the primary agent.

Caution

Early-stage diarrhea or dysentery before the pathogen has been cleared. Using astringent herbs prematurely may trap the pathogen inside. As Kou Zongshi noted: 'In deficiency-cold diarrhea and dysentery, or at the initial onset, it is contraindicated.'

Caution

Large-area burns (greater than 30% body surface area). Although Di Yu is a key topical burn remedy, in extensive burns the high tannin content may be absorbed systemically through damaged skin and potentially cause hepatotoxicity. Use with caution and medical supervision.

Classical Incompatibilities

Di Yu does not appear in the Eighteen Incompatibilities (十八反) or Nineteen Mutual Fears (十九畏) lists. However, the classical Materia Medica notes that Di Yu 'fears' (恶) Mai Men Dong (麦门冬, Ophiopogon), meaning the two may reduce each other's effectiveness. This is a traditional 'mutual antagonism' (相恶) pairing rather than a true incompatibility, and some practitioners still combine them when clinically appropriate.

Special Populations

Pregnancy

Di Yu is generally used with caution during pregnancy. Its bitter, cold nature and Blood-cooling properties could theoretically affect the fetus or uterine Blood circulation, particularly if used at high doses or for extended periods. While it is not listed among the strongly prohibited substances in pregnancy, pregnant women should only use it under the guidance of a qualified practitioner and at the lowest effective dose. It is most likely to be encountered in pregnancy only when treating acute bleeding conditions where the clinical benefit outweighs the risk.

Breastfeeding

No specific safety concerns have been established for Di Yu during breastfeeding at standard doses. As a bitter, cold herb, it may theoretically reduce the quality or warmth of breast milk if taken in large amounts or for prolonged periods. Nursing mothers with a cold Spleen and Stomach constitution should be particularly cautious. Use at standard doses for short courses under practitioner guidance is generally considered acceptable.

Pediatric Use

Di Yu can be used in children but at appropriately reduced doses based on age and body weight. Classical paediatric formulas use it for conditions such as childhood dysentery and facial sores (e.g. washing with a decoction). For children under 6 years old, doses of roughly one-quarter to one-third of the adult dose are typical. For children aged 6-14, approximately half the adult dose is common. Due to its cold, bitter, and astringent nature, prolonged use should be avoided in children with weak digestion. External use (e.g. decoction wash for eczema or sores) is generally well tolerated in children.

Drug Interactions

Anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications: Di Yu has demonstrated hemostatic (blood-clotting) effects in pharmacological studies, including shortening bleeding time and promoting platelet aggregation via its tannin content. This may theoretically oppose the effects of anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin, heparin) and antiplatelet drugs (e.g. aspirin, clopidogrel). If a patient is on such medications, the concurrent use of Di Yu should be discussed with their prescribing physician.

Iron supplements and iron-containing preparations: The high tannin content of Di Yu (approximately 17%) can form insoluble complexes with iron and other metal ions, potentially reducing the absorption of iron supplements. These should be taken at different times.

Alkaloid-containing medications: Tannins may also bind to and precipitate alkaloid compounds, potentially reducing the bioavailability of alkaloid-based pharmaceuticals if taken concurrently.

Hepatotoxic drugs: Although Di Yu itself is not considered toxic, in situations where large amounts of tannins may be absorbed (particularly via large-area topical burn application), there is a theoretical concern about additive hepatic burden when combined with other hepatotoxic drugs.

Dietary Advice

While taking Di Yu, avoid excessive consumption of spicy, hot, or alcohol-containing foods and beverages, as these generate Heat in the Blood and work against the herb's cooling and hemostatic action. Cold and raw foods should also be moderated if the person has underlying Spleen weakness, as Di Yu's cold nature can compound digestive strain. Foods that support the Spleen and gently nourish Blood (such as cooked grains, congee, and mild soups) are generally appropriate companions to treatment with this herb.

Cautions & Warnings

Although this formula is typically safe for most individuals, it may cause side effects in some people. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, postpartum women, and those with liver disease should use the formula with caution.

As with any Chinese herbal remedy, it is advisable to seek guidance from a qualified TCM practitioner before beginning treatment.