Panax notoginseng is a Chinese ginseng-family root, sold as a supplement for heart and circulation health. After stroke, with chest pain from narrowed heart arteries, or with diabetic kidney damage, many Chinese studies point to benefit; for people without disease, the picture is thin. Oral use has looked well tolerated; blood-platelet effects matter with clot-preventing medications or surgery, and some roots carry contaminants, making product quality part of the risk. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Platelet count | 200–350 × 10⁹/L | Low counts amplify bleeding risk |
| Prothrombin time / INR | INR 0.9–1.1 (no anticoagulant) | Detects clotting shifts |
| Hemoglobin | Men 14–16 g/dL; women 13–15 g/dL | Reveals hidden blood loss |
| ALT and AST | Both below 25 U/L | Screens liver strain from herbs or contaminants |
| Creatinine and eGFR | eGFR above 90 mL/min/1.73 m² | Tracks kidney function |
| Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio | Below 10 mg/g | Tracks kidney-protective effect |
| LDL-C | Below 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L) | Measures any lipid effect |
| Fasting glucose and HbA1c | Glucose 75–90 mg/dL; HbA1c below 5.4% | Tracks glucose effect and low-sugar risk |
| hsCRP | Below 1.0 mg/L | Tracks vascular inflammation |
| Blood pressure | 110–120 / 70–80 mm Hg | Tracks vascular effect |
Cadence: Baseline before starting; warfarin users repeat INR 5–7 days after starting; blood count, clotting tests, and liver and kidney panels at 4–6 weeks, then every 6–12 months while use continues; lipids, glucose markers, and urinary albumin at 3 months