San Leng: A Classic TCM Herb for Breaking Blood Stasis and Relieving Pain

Health Lab
Apr 21
5 min read

Updated: May 11

San Leng, commonly known as sparganium rhizome or bur-reed rhizome, is a potent herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), renowned for its ability to break blood stasis, promote qi movement, and alleviate pain.

Documented in ancient texts like the Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica) by Li Shizhen in the Ming Dynasty, this time-honored herb has been a staple in TCM for centuries. Its sharp, invigorating properties make it a natural remedy for modern issues like menstrual pain, abdominal masses, and traumatic injuries, optimized for search terms like "San Leng benefits" and "sparganium rhizome TCM."

Origins and Background

San Leng, derived from the rhizome of the Sparganium stoloniferum plant, has been used in TCM since ancient times to address blood stasis and qi stagnation, particularly in the liver and spleen channels. Valued for its ability to disperse blockages and relieve pain, it was a key remedy in ancient China for treating conditions caused by trauma, menstrual disorders, or organ stagnation.

In an era when physical injuries and chronic pain were prevalent, San Leng was essential for restoring circulation and balance. Its prominence in treating stubborn blockages makes it a versatile herb for today’s health challenges, searchable under terms like "bur-reed rhizome uses" and "San Leng pain relief."

Properties and Benefits of San Leng

San Leng is a single herb with a broad range of therapeutic effects in TCM:

San Leng (Sparganium Rhizome): Bitter, pungent, and neutral, San Leng breaks blood stasis, promotes qi flow, and relieves pain. Its active compounds, such as ferulic acid and volatile oils, provide anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anticoagulant effects. It acts decisively to disperse stagnation, making it ideal for chronic and acute conditions, aligning with search terms like "San Leng for menstrual pain" and "sparganium rhizome blood stasis."

Key Effects

Breaking Blood Stasis: It disperses blood stagnation, reducing masses, clots, or pain from trauma.
Promoting Qi Movement: It relieves qi stagnation, easing abdominal or chest discomfort.
Relieving Pain: It alleviates pain from menstrual cramps, injuries, or organ blockages.
Softening Masses: It helps reduce abdominal masses or fibroids caused by stasis.

Common Symptoms

San Leng is ideal for:

Menstrual pain, irregular periods, or clots due to blood stasis.
Abdominal pain, masses, or distension from stagnation.
Chest pain or tightness linked to qi and blood blockages.
Pain from traumatic injuries or swelling.
Wiry or choppy pulse with a purple tongue or dark spots.

Practical Applications

Menstrual Disorders: San Leng relieves painful periods, clots, or irregular cycles caused by blood stasis, relevant for searches like "sparganium rhizome menstrual pain."
Abdominal Pain: It eases pain from masses, fibroids, or organ stagnation, aligning with "San Leng abdominal pain."
Traumatic Injuries: It reduces pain and swelling from bruises or sprains, searchable as "bur-reed rhizome injury."
Chronic Stagnation: It supports the body in addressing chronic blockages or pain due to blood and qi stasis.

Clinical Uses

San Leng is used for:

Gynecological conditions like dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, or uterine fibroids.
Abdominal masses such as ovarian cysts or hepatosplenomegaly due to stasis.
Traumatic injuries with bruising, swelling, or pain.
Cardiovascular issues like angina or chest pain from blood stasis.
Postpartum pain or retained lochia due to blood stagnation.
Adjunct therapy in chronic conditions like liver cirrhosis or tumors with stasis.

Modern research supports its benefits: San Leng’s ferulic acid reduces inflammation and improves circulation, its anticoagulant properties prevent clot formation, and its analgesic effects alleviate pain, making it a versatile herb for blood stasis and pain relief, optimized for searches like "San Leng TCM" and "sparganium rhizome health benefits."

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Dietary Support

Incorporating San Leng sparingly into meals or drinks can enhance its blood-moving and pain-relieving effects, typically used in small doses due to its potency:

San Leng Tea
- Ingredients: 3g dried San Leng (use sparingly).
- Method: Steep in boiling water for 5 minutes, drink warm in small amounts.
- Benefits: Promotes qi flow and relieves pain, searchable as "sparganium rhizome tea."
San Leng Porridge
- Ingredients: 3g San Leng, 100g rice.
- Method: Boil San Leng in water for 10 minutes, strain, cook rice in the liquid until soft, serve warm.
- Benefits: Supports circulation and eases abdominal discomfort.
San Leng and Tangerine Peel Soup
- Ingredients: 3g San Leng, 5g tangerine peel, 1 carrot, sliced.
- Method: Boil San Leng, tangerine peel, and carrot in water until tender, strain San Leng before serving, season lightly.
- Benefits: Moves qi and reduces pain, relevant for "bur-reed rhizome soup."
San Leng and Red Date Broth
- Ingredients: 3g San Leng, 5 red dates (jujubes).
- Method: Boil San Leng and red dates in water until soft, remove San Leng before serving, drink warm.
- Benefits: Nourishes qi and disperses stasis.

Massage Support

Massage can complement San Leng’s effects by promoting circulation and relieving stagnation:

Xuehai Point: Two inches above the inner knee. Massage for 5 minutes to invigorate blood and relieve pain.
Sanyinjiao Point: Three inches above the inner ankle. Massage for 5 minutes to regulate blood and qi.
Tianshu Point: Two inches on either side of the navel. Massage for 5 minutes to alleviate abdominal pain.
Neiguan Point: Two inches above the wrist, between the tendons. Massage for 5 minutes to ease chest pain and promote qi flow.

Precautions

San Leng is potent and requires caution:

Avoid in Pregnancy: Contraindicated during pregnancy due to its strong blood-moving effects.
Weak Patients: Those with qi deficiency, fatigue, or pale tongue should consult a practitioner, as it may deplete energy.
Excessive Bleeding: Avoid in cases of heavy menstruation or bleeding disorders, as it may exacerbate blood loss.
Prolonged Use: Avoid long-term use without supervision to prevent damage to qi; consult a TCM expert for safe dosing.
Medical Supervision: Always consult a TCM practitioner for personalized dosing and safe use.

Conclusion

San Leng, or sparganium rhizome, is a TCM treasure, a single herb that breaks blood stasis, promotes qi flow, and relieves pain. Perfect for menstrual pain, abdominal masses, or traumatic injuries, it offers powerful support for modern health challenges.

Enhance its benefits with San Leng tea or tangerine peel soup, and consult a TCM practitioner for personalized guidance. Let this ancient herb bring relief and balance to your life, optimized for searches like "San Leng TCM" and "sparganium rhizome benefits."