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Sanguisorba officinalis
Großer Wiesenknopf · (Sanguisorba officinalis)
Rose family (Rosaceae)
Description
On damp meadows and along ditches, the dark red, cylindrical flower heads of this perennial from the rose family (Rosaceae) stand out — earning it the folk name 'blood drops'. Both the tannin-rich root, dug in autumn, and the herb, gathered in summer, are used. The root contains up to 17% total tannins, mainly ellagitannins such as sanguiin H-6, alongside the saponins ziyuglycoside I and II and rutin. Traditionally, a root decoction or tincture is used for slow-healing wounds, diarrhoea and heavy menstrual bleeding, while in folk use the leafy herb also serves as a mild culinary addition. Persistent heavy or irregular bleeding should be medically assessed before relying on herbal support; because tannins may bind fluoroquinolone antibiotics, intake should be separated in time from such medication.
Tea infusion from dried great burnet root for diarrhea, dysentery, and mild peptic ulcers. The ellagitannins (sanguiin H-series) act astringently on the intestinal mucosa and inhibit inflammatory mediators.
Preparation & dosage
Boil 2–4 g dried, chopped root in 200 ml water and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and drink warm, 3× daily.
- Dry amount
- 2–4 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
Compresses with cooled great burnet root decoction for burns, wounds, boils, and inflamed skin areas. Chinese clinical research indicates the whole plant extract is more effective for burns than isolated tannins alone.
Preparation & dosage
Great burnet root tincture to support heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) and hemorrhoids. The triterpenoid glycoside fraction (ziyuglycoside I) shows the strongest hemostatic activity in laboratory studies.
Preparation & dosage
Infusion from fresh or dried great burnet leaves as a tea substitute with mildly cooling properties. The leaves have a mild cucumber-like aroma and are considered cooling and febrifuge in folk medicine.
Preparation & dosage
Pour 200 ml boiling water over 1–3 g fresh or dried leaves, steep 5 minutes, strain and drink.
- Dry amount
- 1–3 g
- Doses per day
- 2×
Young leaves and flower buds of great burnet in spring are edible raw in salads or as a wild herb. The characteristic cucumber taste makes them a popular addition to spring salads and herb quark.
Preparation & dosage
Great burnet root tea is considered diuretic and antiseptic in folk medicine. In TCM (Chinese name: Di Yu), the root is used to 'cool the blood', stop bleeding, and clear heat.
Preparation & dosage
Simmer 3–6 g dried root in 300 ml water for 15 minutes. Strain and drink warm, 2× daily.
- Dry amount
- 3–6 g
- Doses per day
- 2×
Medical clarification of the underlying cause is recommended when using for menorrhagia or bleeding tendency. High tannin concentrations (animal studies) showed hormonal effects — at customary folk medicine dosages no adverse effects in humans reported. Interaction with fluoroquinolone antibiotics possible (tannin complex formation).
Better avoided in pregnancy due to lack of safety data. PFAF recommends avoiding the plant in pregnancy due to unresolved toxicity questions.
No sufficient data on safety during lactation available.
No sufficient studies for children. Culinary use of young leaves is considered safe.
Drug interactions
Fluorchinolone (Fluoroquinolone antibiotics)
Tannins may bind fluoroquinolones and reduce their bioavailability. Separate intake by at least 2 hours.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to plants of the rose family (Rosaceae).
Harvested part: root (autumn), herb (summer)
- Time of day:
- Prefer dry weather; dig roots in the morning when soil is not too wet.
- Drying:
- Wash roots, cut into slices or pieces, and dry at 40–50 °C in a dehydrator or at an airy shaded location.
- Storage:
- 24 months — Dark, dry, airtight in paper bags or glass containers. Shelf life up to 2 years.
- Time of day:
- Harvest young leaves and shoots before flowering — ideally in the morning after the dew has dried.
- Drying:
- Spread leaves loosely on cloths and dry at room temperature in shade (approx. 1 week). Do not exceed 35 °C.
- Storage:
- 12 months — Dark, dry in airtight containers. Shelf life up to 1 year.
- Ellagitannine — Sanguiin H-6TanninContent: 12–17 % Gesamttannine (Wurzel)Root
Dimeric ellagitannin; marker compound of the genus Sanguisorba. Responsible for the strongly astringent and antimicrobial activity.
- Ziyuglosid I (Ziyuglycoside I)SaponinRoot
Triterpenoid glycoside (ursolic acid derivative); shows the strongest hemostatic efficacy in laboratory studies (88.7% inhibition in α2-plasmin inhibitor assay).
- Ziyuglosid II (Ziyuglycoside II)SaponinRoot
Second major triterpenoid glycoside of the root; companion compound to ziyuglycoside I.
- RutinFlavonoidAerial parts
Flavonoid glycoside; antioxidant, vascular protective. Also detected in leaves and stems.
- EpigallocatechinTanninAerial parts
Catechin-type polyphenol; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- β-SitosterolOtherRoot
Phytosterol found in root and leaves. Basic anti-inflammatory activity.
- Gallussäure (Gallic acid) / Ellagsäure (Ellagic acid)Phenolic acidRoot
Hydrolysable tannin building blocks; antimicrobial and antioxidant. Released upon hydrolysis of the sanguiins.
- Ursolsäure (Ursolic acid)OtherRoot
Triterpene backbone for the glycoside marker compounds ziyuglycoside I and II; anti-inflammatory and antitumoral properties in laboratory studies.
- [1]MonographPFAF — Sanguisorba officinalis Plant Database Entry(accessed: 2026-05-22)
- [4]MonographPhytotherapeutic Activities of Sanguisorba officinalis and its Chemical Constituents: A Review — American Journal of Chinese Medicine 2018(accessed: 2026-05-22)
- [5]MonographA Comprehensive Review of Genus Sanguisorba: Traditional Uses, Chemical Constituents and Medical Applications — PMC8488092(accessed: 2026-05-22)
- [6]MonographTerpene Glycosides from the Roots of Sanguisorba officinalis L. and Their Hemostatic Activities — PMC6268605(accessed: 2026-05-22)
- [2]WikipediaGroßer Wiesenknopf — Wikipedia DE(accessed: 2026-05-22)
- [3]WikipediaSanguisorba officinalis — Wikipedia EN(accessed: 2026-05-22)