Can patients with diabetic foot numbness consume Panax notoginseng (Sanqi)?

Notoginseng (Panax notoginseng) possesses excellent properties for promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis, as well as dispersing nodules.

Can individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (numbness in the feet) consume notoginseng?

Individuals with diabetes may consume notoginseng. As notoginseng promotes blood circulation and resolves blood stasis, it may benefit diabetic complications associated with blood stasis—a concept rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). According to TCM theory, many diabetic complications are attributed to blood stasis; thus, improving blood circulation and resolving stasis is essential for managing such complications. Of course, glycemic control remains fundamental: in the absence of overt complications, maintaining fasting blood glucose below 6.1 mmol/L and postprandial (2-hour) blood glucose below 7.8 mmol/L helps delay the onset and progression of complications.

Notoginseng is contraindicated during gestational diabetes, as blood-activating and stasis-resolving herbs may increase the risk of miscarriage, fetal restlessness, or bleeding during pregnancy. Notoginseng is particularly suitable for managing both microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes, offering benefits such as improved microcirculation, lipid-lowering effects, and stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques—especially in diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy—by effectively promoting blood circulation and resolving stasis while enhancing microcirculatory function.

Individuals with diabetes may appropriately include naturally cooling foods rich in dietary fiber—such as celery and black fungus—in their diet to help mitigate vascular complications. We hope this information proves helpful!