Can Yunnan Baiyao treat gastric diseases?

Yunnan Baiyao is available in various formulations, including aerosol sprays and plasters. Under normal circumstances, Yunnan Baiyao is not indicated for the direct treatment of gastric disorders. Patients with gastric conditions are advised to seek medical evaluation at a hospital and follow their physician’s prescribed treatment plan. The rationale is as follows:

The primary active ingredient in Yunnan Baiyao is *Panax notoginseng* (Sanqi), which exerts effects including promoting blood circulation to resolve stasis, arresting bleeding, alleviating pain by invigorating blood flow, detoxifying, and reducing swelling. It demonstrates therapeutic efficacy in conditions such as traumatic injuries, contusions with swelling and pain, hematemesis, and hemoptysis.

Yunnan Baiyao aerosol spray functions to activate blood circulation, resolve stasis, reduce swelling, and relieve pain. It is primarily used for traumatic injuries, contusions with swelling and pain, muscular soreness, and rheumatic pain. Similarly, Yunnan Baiyao plaster also promotes blood circulation, resolves stasis, reduces swelling and pain, dispels wind, and eliminates dampness. It is indicated for traumatic injuries, contusions with swelling and pain, and rheumatic pain. Its active ingredients penetrate the skin to reach the subcutaneous tissue, exerting localized effects—and potentially systemic effects—as well.

Yunnan Baiyao is not intended for the direct treatment of gastric disorders. Gastric diseases—common digestive system disorders including gastritis, gastric ulcers, and duodenal ulcers—have diverse etiologies and clinical manifestations. In contrast, the principal pharmacological actions of Yunnan Baiyao—resolving stasis and arresting bleeding, invigorating blood circulation to alleviate pain, detoxifying, and reducing swelling—are not targeted toward the underlying causes of gastric disease.

Patients with gastric disorders should undergo comprehensive diagnostic evaluation at a hospital and adhere strictly to their physician’s treatment recommendations. Additionally, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and dietary practices is essential to support recovery from gastric disease.