Di Yu
Sanguisorba officinalis
Synonyms: Sanguisorba bracteosa, Sanguisorba officinalis f. latifoliata, Sanguisorba hispanica, Sanguisorba officinalis var. sabauda, Sanguisorba officinalis f. pilosella, Sanguisorba officinalis var. serpentini, Poterium boreale, Sanguisorba carnea, Sanguisorba glandulosa, Poterium officinale f. montanum, Sanguisorba major, Poterium officinale f. sabaudum, Sanguisorba auriculata, Sanguisorba konradii, Sanguisorba minor var. altissima, Sanguisorba officinalis f. pallescens, Pimpinella officinalis, Poterium officinale, Sanguisorba officinalis f. dilutiflora, Sanguisorba officinalis subsp. microcephala, Sanguisorba officinalis var. glandulosa, Sanguisorba officinalis var. pubescens, Sanguisorba officinalis f. serpentini, Sanguisorba serpentini, Sanguisorba officinalis var. carnea, Sanguisorba officinalis var. cordifolia, Sanguisorba officinalis var. dilutiflora, Sanguisorba neglecta, Sanguisorba komaroviana, Sanguisorba longa, Sanguisorba nudicaulis, Sanguisorba serotina, Sanguisorba cylindrica, Sanguisorba montana, Sanguisorba altissima, Sanguisorba longa f. dilutiflora, Sanguisorba media, Sanguisorba officinalis var. montana, Sanguisorba officinalis var. pilosella, Sanguisorba rubra, Sanguisorba officinalis var. serotina, Sanguisorba sabauda, Sanguisorba officinalis f. cordifolia, Sanguisorba officinalis f. hispanica, Sanguisorba officinalis var. altissima, Sanguisorba minor var. sabauda, Sanguisorba officinalis f. albarracinensis, Sanguisorba officinalis var. alba, Sanguisorba officinalis var. auriculata, Sanguisorba cordifolia var. minor, Sanguisorba cordifolia, Sanguisorba officinalis var. typica, Sanguisorba cernua, Sanguisorba baicalensis, Sanguisorba officinalis var. globularis, Sanguisorba unsanensis, Sanguisorba officinalis var. microcephala, Sanguisorba taurica, Sanguisorba officinalis subsp. glandulosa, Sanguisorba officinalis var. longa, Sanguisorba globularis, Sanguisorba cordifolia f. simplex, Sanguisorba officinalis var. hispanica, Sanguisorba menziesii, Sanguisorba officinalis var. polygama, Sanguisorba officinalis subsp. polygama, Sanguisorba canadensis var. media, Sanguisorba officinalis cordata, Sanguisorba officinalis var. latifoliata, Sanguisorba andersonii, Sanguisorba microcephala, Sanguisorba praecox, Sanguisorba officinalis f. nana, Sanguisorba officinalis f. macrophylla, Sanguisorba officinalis var. nana, Sanguisorba officinalis f. auriculata, Sanguisorba officinalis f. albiflora, Sanguisorba cordifolia var. major, Sanguisorba officinalis f. microcephala, Sanguisorba cordifolia f. ramosa, Sanguisorba officinalis subsp. montana
☯ TCM Properties
Cools the Blood and stops bleeding; Clears Toxic Heat, astringes fluids and generates flesh (topical use for sores, ulcers and burns)
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Sanguisorba officinalis is a perennial herb in the rose family (Rosaceae), growing 40-120 cm tall from a stout rhizome. Leaves are pinnately compound with 7-25 oval to elliptic toothed leaflets 2-6 cm long, dark green above and pale below. Stems are erect and branched. The characteristic inflorescence is a dense, oblong to cylindrical spike 1-4 cm long bearing tiny dark red to maroon flowers at the apex only (opening from top to bottom). The root is thick, woody, and reddish-brown.
Meadows, grasslands, forest margins, and roadsides; native to temperate Eurasia from Europe to East Asia, and found in northern North America.
Sanguisorba officinalis is widespread across temperate Eurasia and is common in its native habitat. It is cultivated ornamentally in gardens worldwide. No significant conservation concerns though some localized populations may be affected by habitat changes.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Di Yu (sanguisorba root) is a cool, astringent herb used in Chinese medicine primarily to cool the Blood and stop bleeding, with particular effectiveness for bleeding from the lower body — including rectal bleeding, hemorrhoidal bleeding, bloody dysentery, and heavy or irregular uterine bleeding from Blood Heat. Its astringent property also reduces seeping wounds and ulcers when applied topically, and it is an important ingredient in preparations for burns and scalds, which it addresses by cooling heat and preventing further tissue damage.
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.