What Is the Difference Between “San Qi” and “Tian Qi”?
Jun 09, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. He Haochen
Introduction
Sanqi and Tianqi are identical—both refer to the same medicinal herb; they differ only in name. “Sanqi” is the herb’s scientific name, while “Tianqi” is a common alias. This herb belongs to the category of traditional Chinese patent medicines and has a slightly bitter taste. It functions to invigorate blood circulation, resolve blood stasis, and alleviate pain. In daily life, self-medication should be avoided, as indiscriminate use may lead to excessive tonification and cause irritation to the gastrointestinal tract.
Under normal circumstances, “San Qi” and “Tian Qi” refer to the same medicinal herb, with no difference between them. A detailed explanation follows:
“San Qi” and “Tian Qi” are two names for the identical herb—“San Qi” is its formal botanical name, while “Tian Qi” is a common alias. This herb belongs to the category of traditional Chinese patent medicines and has a slightly bitter taste. It functions to invigorate blood circulation, resolve blood stasis, and alleviate pain. If a patient sustains trauma (e.g., contusions or sprains) resulting in internal blood stasis, this herb may be used—as directed by a physician—to improve symptoms. It also effectively prevents dizziness and fatigue caused by excessive blood loss. The herb can be administered orally or ground into powder for topical application to help control wound bleeding. Moreover, it helps alleviate conditions such as cerebral hypoperfusion, stroke, and coronary heart disease, thereby preventing progressive deterioration of these diseases. It is commonly combined with other herbs—including Dang Gui (Chinese angelica), Hong Hua (safflower), and Tian Ma (Gastrodia rhizome)—to maximize therapeutic efficacy. In daily life, adding this herb to soups also enhances immune function.
Self-medication should be avoided in daily life; otherwise, excessive supplementation may occur, potentially irritating the gastrointestinal tract and causing symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea.
