Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
The Short Answer
Greater Burnet contains high concentrations of hydrolyzable tannins, phenolic acids (gallic acid, ellagic acid, chlorogenic acid), and flavonoids (quercetin-3-glucoside, kaempferol-3-glucoside) that exert hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects through free radical scavenging, protein precipitation, and enzyme inhibition. Preclinical and in vitro data demonstrate robust antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, with roots yielding the highest total phenolic content at 127.06 mg/g dry weight, though no large-scale human clinical trials have yet confirmed therapeutic dose ranges.
CategoryHerb
GroupEuropean
Evidence LevelPreliminary
Primary Keywordgreater burnet benefits
Greater Burnet — botanical close-up
Health Benefits
**Hemostatic Action**
High tannin content, particularly hydrolyzable tannins such as 2,3-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-glucose (12.64 mg/g in roots), promotes vasoconstriction and protein coagulation at wound sites, supporting traditional use in controlling bleeding and wound healing.
**Anti-inflammatory Effects**
Triterpenoids, saponins, and flavonoids including quercetin and kaempferol inhibit pro-inflammatory enzyme pathways, reducing production of inflammatory mediators in preclinical models.
**Antioxidant Protection**: Roots with 127
06 mg/g total phenols, alongside α-tocopherol (85 mg/kg in related S. minor) and β-carotene (30 mg/kg), neutralize reactive oxygen species via free radical chain-breaking mechanisms, protecting cellular membranes from oxidative damage.
**Antimicrobial Activity**
Phenolic acids and tannins disrupt bacterial cell membrane integrity, with in vitro studies demonstrating activity against a range of gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens relevant to wound and gut infections.
**Antidiarrheal Properties**
Tannins astringent action on intestinal mucosa reduces secretion and motility, providing a pharmacological basis for the traditional use of Greater Burnet decoctions in managing acute diarrhea.
**Potential Anticancer Activity**
Preliminary in vitro findings suggest ellagic acid and quercetin derivatives can induce apoptosis in cancer cell lines, though these findings remain early-stage and far from clinical validation.
**Anti-allergic and Antiviral Properties**
Flavonoid constituents, particularly catechin and isorhamnetin derivatives, have demonstrated inhibition of mast cell degranulation and antiviral activity in cell-based assays, suggesting broader immunomodulatory potential.
Origin & History
Natural habitat
Sanguisorba officinalis is native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America, thriving in moist meadows, riverbanks, and grasslands from the British Isles across Siberia to Japan and China. It grows best in well-drained, loamy soils with moderate moisture and full to partial sun exposure, typically at altitudes from lowland plains up to subalpine zones. Cultivation has been practiced across Eastern Europe and East Asia for centuries, with roots harvested in autumn when phenolic and tannin concentrations are highest.
“Greater Burnet has been documented in European herbal traditions since at least the medieval period, referenced in texts such as Dodoens' Cruydt-Boeck (1554) and later included in British pharmacopoeias as an astringent remedy for hemorrhage, dysentery, and wound management. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sanguisorba officinalis (known as Di Yu) is classified as a hemostatic herb used to cool blood heat, stop bleeding, and treat burns, dysentery, and eczema, with its root listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Eastern European folk medicine, particularly in Russia, Poland, and the Balkans, employed root decoctions for gastrointestinal hemorrhage, heavy menstruation, and as a topical antiseptic for wounds and burns. The Latin genus name Sanguisorba derives from sanguis (blood) and sorbere (to absorb), directly encoding its primary historical function as a blood-stanching herb across multiple cultural medical traditions.”Traditional Medicine
Scientific Research
The evidence base for Greater Burnet consists almost entirely of in vitro phytochemical analyses and animal model studies, with no published randomized controlled clinical trials reporting human sample sizes or quantified clinical effect sizes. Phytochemical profiling studies, including comparative analyses across plant organs, have rigorously characterized over 270 compounds and established that roots contain the highest total phenolic content (127.06 mg/g dry weight) relative to flowers (102.31 mg/g) and leaves (81.09 mg/g). In vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity assays have consistently demonstrated biological activity attributable to tannin and phenolic fractions, lending mechanistic plausibility to traditional uses, but these models do not establish clinical efficacy or safe human dosing. The overall evidence strength is preclinical, and while the phytochemical data is robust and reproducible, significant research gaps remain regarding bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic dose-response in humans.
Preparation & Dosage
Traditional preparation
**Dried Root Decoction (Traditional)**
3–9 g of dried root boiled in water for 15–20 minutes, taken 2–3 times daily; this is the most historically documented preparation in Eastern European and Chinese herbal medicine
**Ethanol Extract (Research Standard)**
3 g/v ratio have been used in phytochemical and pharmacological studies to isolate bioactive tannins and phenolics from roots, leaves, and flowers; no standardized supplement dose has been established from clinical trials
70% ethanol extracts at a 1:.
**Powdered Root Capsule**
250–500 mg capsules, though no clinically validated dose range exists; typical traditional practice suggests equivalents of 3–9 g dried root equivalent per day
Commercially available as .
**Topical Preparations**
Concentrated aqueous or ethanol extracts applied to wounds or inflamed skin as compresses or ointments, consistent with hemostatic traditional use; exact concentrations in commercial products vary widely.
**Standardization**
No pharmacopoeial standardization for tannin or total phenolic content in commercial supplements has been formally adopted in Western markets; root material prioritized over leaves for highest phenolic yield.
**Timing**
Decoctions traditionally taken with or after meals to minimize potential gastric irritation from high tannin content.
Nutritional Profile
Greater Burnet roots are richest in bioactive phenolics, with total phenolic content reaching 127.06 mg/g dry weight, comprising hydrolyzable tannins (including 2,3-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-glucose at 12.64 mg/g), phenolic acids (gallic acid, ellagic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, oxalic acid), and flavonoids (quercetin-3-glucoside, kaempferol-3-glucoside, epicatechin, catechin, gallocatechin, apigenin, isorhamnetin, taxifolin, cyanidin 3-glucoside). Flowers contain 102.31 mg/g total phenols and are particularly rich in tannins, while leaves contain 81.09 mg/g. Fatty acids identified in the plant include palmitic acid (29.1%), linoleic acid (22.6%), and alpha-linolenic acid (21.4%), alongside triterpenoids, saponins, and stearins. Fat-soluble antioxidants include α-tocopherol (approximately 85 mg/kg in related Sanguisorba minor) and β-carotene (approximately 30 mg/kg); ascorbic acid is also present. The high tannin content may reduce bioavailability of co-consumed minerals such as iron by forming insoluble complexes, and may slow protein absorption when consumed alongside food.
How It Works
Mechanism of Action
The hemostatic and astringent effects of Greater Burnet are primarily mediated by hydrolyzable tannins, which precipitate proteins on mucosal and wound surfaces, promote local vasoconstriction, and form protective complexes that reduce exudation and microbial access. Flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes, downregulating prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis and thereby reducing inflammatory cascades; quercetin additionally scavenges superoxide and hydroxyl radicals directly, protecting cellular DNA and lipids from oxidative damage. Gallic acid and ellagic acid, both potent polyphenols found in the roots, modulate NF-κB signaling pathways (inferred from known activities of these compounds), suppressing transcription of cytokines including IL-6 and TNF-α. Antimicrobial activity is attributed to phenolic-mediated disruption of bacterial membrane phospholipid bilayers and inhibition of bacterial enzyme systems, while preliminary apoptotic effects in cancer models are linked to mitochondrial pathway activation by ellagic acid.
Clinical Evidence
No human clinical trials have been conducted on Greater Burnet that report outcome measures, effect sizes, or safety data in standardized populations. The pharmacological literature is restricted to in vitro cell assays and small animal studies examining anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and potential anticancer properties, none of which translate directly to confirmed clinical recommendations. Traditional use across Eastern European and East Asian medical systems provides historical plausibility for hemostatic and antidiarrheal applications, but this does not substitute for controlled clinical evidence. Until well-designed human trials are conducted, clinical confidence in specific therapeutic indications, effective doses, and safety thresholds for Greater Burnet remains low.
Safety & Interactions
Formal clinical safety data for Greater Burnet in humans is absent from the published literature, and no established maximum safe dose, tolerable upper intake level, or systematic adverse event profile has been defined. The high tannin content (consistent with other tannin-rich botanicals) raises a theoretical risk of gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, and constipation at elevated doses, as well as potential inhibition of iron and protein absorption with chronic use. Tannins and polyphenols may interact with iron-chelating drugs, anticoagulants (by potentiating or opposing hemostatic effects depending on dose and context), and medications requiring precise gastric absorption, including certain antibiotics and cardiac glycosides. Use during pregnancy and lactation is not supported by safety data and should be avoided on a precautionary basis; individuals with known tannin sensitivity, iron deficiency anemia, or those on anticoagulant therapy should consult a healthcare provider before use.
Synergy Stack
Hermetica Formulation Heuristic
Also Known As
Sanguisorba officinalisDi YuGreat BurnetOfficial BurnetBloodwortGarden Burnet
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Greater Burnet used for traditionally?
Greater Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) has been used for centuries in Eastern European and Traditional Chinese Medicine primarily to stop bleeding, treat dysentery and diarrhea, and promote wound healing. Its high tannin content—including hydrolyzable tannins such as 2,3-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-glucose at 12.64 mg/g in roots—is responsible for these astringent and hemostatic properties. In Chinese medicine, it is known as Di Yu and classified as a blood-cooling, hemorrhage-stopping herb used for burns, eczema, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
What are the main bioactive compounds in Greater Burnet root?
The roots of Sanguisorba officinalis are the richest plant part, containing total phenolics at 127.06 mg/g dry weight, including hydrolyzable tannins, gallic acid, ellagic acid, chlorogenic acid, and flavonoids such as quercetin-3-glucoside and kaempferol-3-glucoside. Over 270 compounds have been identified across the plant, including triterpenoids, saponins, fatty acids (palmitic acid 29.1%, linoleic acid 22.6%), and fat-soluble antioxidants including β-carotene and α-tocopherol. The tannin and polyphenol content accounts for most of the documented pharmacological activities.
Are there clinical trials supporting Greater Burnet health benefits?
As of current literature, no human randomized controlled clinical trials have been published for Greater Burnet that report sample sizes, effect sizes, or validated clinical endpoints. Evidence is restricted to in vitro cell assays and animal model studies demonstrating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and hemostatic activities. While the preclinical data is scientifically consistent with traditional uses, clinical confidence in specific therapeutic claims is low, and human dosing guidelines cannot yet be evidence-based.
Is Greater Burnet safe to take as a supplement?
Formal human safety data for Greater Burnet supplementation is lacking, so no established safe upper dose or adverse event profile exists. Based on its high tannin content, potential risks at elevated doses include gastrointestinal irritation, constipation, and reduced absorption of iron and certain medications including antibiotics and anticoagulants. Pregnant and breastfeeding individuals should avoid use due to absence of safety data, and anyone on anticoagulant or iron therapy should seek medical advice before use.
How is Greater Burnet prepared and what is the typical dose?
The most common traditional preparation is a decoction of 3–9 g of dried root boiled in water for 15–20 minutes, taken 2–3 times daily with or after meals to reduce tannin-related gastric irritation. Commercial capsule products typically contain 250–500 mg of powdered root equivalent, though no clinically validated dose range exists. Research studies have employed 70% ethanol extracts at a 1:3 g/v ratio for phytochemical analysis, but these are not direct equivalents to consumer supplement doses.
Does Greater Burnet interact with blood thinners or anticoagulant medications?
Greater Burnet's hemostatic properties and high tannin content may potentially interact with blood thinners like warfarin or antiplatelet agents such as aspirin by enhancing coagulation. Anyone taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications should consult their healthcare provider before using Greater Burnet supplements to avoid competing therapeutic effects. The tannins may also affect the absorption of certain medications due to their protein-binding properties.
Is Greater Burnet safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Greater Burnet is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to its potent hemostatic and uterotonic properties, which could affect uterine contractions and bleeding patterns. Traditional use in stopping excessive bleeding makes it particularly contraindicated in these sensitive periods when maintaining stable circulation is critical. Pregnant and nursing women should consult with their healthcare provider before using any Greater Burnet products.
What is the difference between Greater Burnet root extract and leaf preparations?
Greater Burnet root contains significantly higher concentrations of bioactive compounds—particularly hydrolyzable tannins (12.64 mg/g) and triterpenoids—making it more potent for hemostatic and anti-inflammatory effects compared to leaf preparations. Leaf extracts may be gentler and more suitable for mild digestive support, while root extracts are preferred for addressing bleeding and severe inflammatory conditions. Root-based supplements typically require lower doses due to their superior bioavailability and compound concentration.
Explore the Full Encyclopedia
7,400+ ingredients researched, verified, and formulated for optimal synergy.
Browse IngredientsThese statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
hermetica-encyclopedia-canary-zzqv9k4w greater-burnet-sanguisorba-officinalis curated by Hermetica Superfoods at ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com and licensed CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 (non-commercial share-alike, attribution required)
