Yunnan Baiyao

Yunnan Baiyao is a well-known proprietary traditional Chinese medicine marketed and used as a hemostatic with use in both human and veterinary alternative medicine. Yunnan Baiyao is sold in powder, tincture, plaster, paste, aerosol, or tablet form. The medicine, developed by Qu Huangzhang in 1902, is designated as one of two Class-1 protected traditional Chinese medicines which gives it 20 years of trade protection in China. In China, its reputation is said to be equal to that of penicillin in the U.S. 

History of Yunnan Baiyao

Yunnan Baiyao was developed by a Chinese man named Qu Huanzhang from Jiangchuan County(剑川) in Yunnan Province. He had set out to explore the entire region and taste its hundreds of herbs. In 1902, he formulated “Qu Huanzhang Panacea” which became Yunnan Baiyao (“White medicine from Yunnan”). In the Battle of Taierzhuang of 1938 (between Chinese and Japanese forces), Mr. Qu Huanzhang donated more than 30,000 bottles of Yunnan Baiyao to the Chinese National Revolutionary Army, supposedly saving the lives of many soldiers. After the death of Qu, his wife, Liao Lanying, donated the secret prescription to the government. Large-scale production of Yunnan Baiyao began. The Yunnan Baiyao Factory was established in 1971.

Formula of Yunnan Baiyao

The exact formula of Yunnan Baiyao is a trade secret. The company website mentions that the steroid progesterone is in the formula, in addition to several saponins, alkaloids and calcium phosphate. The separate herbal ingredients are reportedly compounded by thirteen separate teams, none of whom have any knowledge of the ingredients the other teams are mixing. 

Nevertheless, on the label of Yunnan Baiyao batches that are exported to the USA market, the following formula information is provided.

Supplement Facts Serving size: 0.50g

* Daily Value not established.

Fields of Yunnan Baiyao

The Yunnan Baiyao Group has diversified and expanded into the global pharmaceutical industry. In 2001, the company revealed an adhesive band-aid product in a joint venture with German personal care products maker Beiersdorf AG. In 2003, 3M initiated contact with Yunnan Baiyao Group Co, Ltd. to discuss potential cooperation opportunities in the area of transdermal pharmaceutical products. Following the success of its adhesive bandages, the Chinese firm added toothpaste to its product line-up. Sales revenue from the Yunnan Baiyao toothpaste topped 500 million yuan in 2008, making it the fifth most popular toothpaste in China in terms of sales revenue.

How to Use it?

For adults, take 0.25 g – 0.5 g (1-2 capsules) each time, 4 times daily. The maximal dosage should not exceed 0.5 g once every four hours. For bleeding injuries, it is better to take the powder with warm water; For swelling, take it with wine. The capsules may also be opened and the containing powder can be applied directly onto the wounded area to arrest bleeding.

For children: 2 to 5 years old, take 1/4 the adult dose each time; 5 to 12 years old, take half the adult dose each time each time.

Precaution

•  Do not take Yunnan Baiyao if you are allergic to it.
•  If conditions do not improve or even get worsen after 3 days, discontinue it.
•  Not suitable for people with severe irregular heartbeat.
•  For best results, avoid consuming fish, beef, lamb, beans, and cold food at the same time.
•  Keep out of touch of children.
• Yunnan Baiyao should not be used with alcohol or when pregnant.