Sanguisorba officinalis

Related Terms

2Alpha,3alpha,23-trihydroxyurs-12-en-24,28-dioic acid 28-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester, 2alpha,3beta-dihydroxy-28-norurs-12,17,19(20),21-tetraen-23-oic acid, 3beta-[(alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-19alpha-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid, 3beta-[(alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-19beta-hydroxyurs-12,20(30)-dien-28-oic acid, 3beta-[(alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-urs-11,13(18)-dien-28-oic acid beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester, 3beta-[(alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-urs-12,19(20)-dien-28-oic acid, 3beta-[(alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-urs-12,19(29)-dien-28-oic acid, di yu, ellagitannin, great burnet, Poteriumofficinale (L.) Gray, Rosaceae (family), sanguiin H-6, Sanguisorbamicrocephala K.Presl, Sanguisorba minor magnolii, Sanguisorba officinalis spp., tannins, triterpenoids.

Background

Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) is a member of the Rosaceae family and is native to Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the United States. It grows best in moist, grassy meadows and sandy, loamy, or dense soils.
The roots of Sanguisorba officinalis are used in traditional Chinese medicine. Referred to as di yu, it is used topically to treat burns and skin rashes and internally to treat diarrhea, duodenal ulcers, bloody stools, bloody cough, and heavy periods.
Anecdotally, burnet has been used as a source of food, as a substitute for tea, and for a variety of medicinal purposes due to its astringent, hemostatic (stops bleeding), pain-relieving, and healing properties. However, no available scientific evidence supports the use of burnet to treat any condition in humans.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
In traditional Chinese medicine, burnet is used topically to treat burns and skin rashes and internally to treat diarrhea, duodenal ulcers, bloody stools, bloody cough, and heavy periods. The standard dose for these treatments, based on tradition, is 4.5-15 grams in a prepared decoction, but the duration of treatment is undefined.
There is no proven safe or effective dose for burnet in adults.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Burnet may reduce the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Burnet may interact with anticancer drugs, antidiarrheals, antivirals, drugs for bleeding disorders, drugs that increase urination, and laxatives.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Abad MJ, Guerra JA, Bermejo P,et al. Search for antiviral activity in higher plant extracts. Phytother Res 2000;14(8):604-607.
Bastow KF, Bori ID, Fukushima Y, et al. Inhibition of DNA topoisomerases by sanguiin H-6, a cytotoxic dimeric ellagitannin from Sanguisorba officinalis. Planta Med 1993;59(3):240-245.
Bedoya LM, Sanchez-Palomino S, Abad MJ, et al. Anti-HIV activity of medicinal plant extracts. J Ethnopharmacol 2001;77(1):113-116.
Hachiya A, Kobayashi A, Ohuchi A, et al. The inhibitory effect of an extract of Sanguisorba officinalis L. on ultraviolet B-induced pigmentation via the suppression of endothelin-converting enzyme-1alpha. Bio Pharm Bull 2001;24(6):688-692.
Kim TG, Kang SY, Jung KK,et al. Antiviral activities of extracts isolated from Terminalis chebula Retz., Sanguisorba officinalis L., Rubus coreanus Miq. and Rheum palmatum L. against hepatitis B virus. Phytother Res 2001;15(8):718-720.
Liao H, Banbury LK, Leach DN. Antioxidant activity of 45 Chinese herbs and the relationship with their TCM characteristics. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2008;5(4):429-34.
Liu X, Cui Y, Yu Q, et al. Triterpenoids from Sanguisorba officinalis. Phytochemistry 2005;66(14):1671-1679.