Bistorta, Bistort
Snakeweed, Snake-root
Columbrina, Serpentaria, Serpentaria vulgaris, Dracunculus
Angibar (Unani)
Quan Shen 拳参 (TCM)
Gla sgang གླ་སྒང༌ also Na ram (Tibetan)
Herbarius latinus, Petri, 1485
Hortus Medicus, Graves, 1834
Bistort root
Notes on Pharmacognosy,
Otto Augustus Wall, 1902
Bistort root
A Manual of Organic Materia Medica,
Maisch, 1882
Botanical name:
Bistorta officinalis (syn. Polygonum bistorta, Persicaria bistorta) (West, TCM)
Bistorta vivipara (syn. P. viviparum) (Alpine Bistort) is also used as a source of the drug in Unani.
B. amplexicaulis, B. affinis (Himalayan Bistort) and B. macrophyllum (syn. P. sphaerostachyum) are used in Tibet.
Salmon listed several varieties:
- Greater Bistort
- Lesser Bistort
- Broad-leaved Bistort
- Greater Mountain Bistort
- Lesser Alpine Bistort
- Low-leafed Bistort
Gla sgang in Tibetan Medicine has been stated to be various plants by different sources. These include Cyperus rotundus, Geranium spp., Juncus amplifolius, as well as various Polygonum spp. including Bistort. Names given for some varieties are as follows:
- Gla sgang: Bistort (and related Polygonum) or Geranium spp. including G. napuligerum, G. pylzowianum, G. refractum
- Gla sgang rgod pa: Cyperus rotundus
- Gla sgang yung ba: Polygonum paleaceum and Geranium pylzowianum
- Mon lug gla sgang: Polygonum sphaerostachyum
We have accepted Bistort as the representative for Gla sgang. It also appears Bistort is used for Gla sgang in the Buryat region.
Parts used:
Root; also the Leaf and juice of the herb
“Al the parts of this plant are powerfully astringent”. (Book of Simple Drugs, Al Ghafiqi)
Temperature & Taste:
Slightly Cold, dry. Bitter
Neutral in Tibetan Medicine
Some sources (such as Dorsetn, 1540), regarded it as Warm.
Classifications:
2N. REPELLENT. 2O. ASTRINGENT. 2P. HEMOSTATIC
3C. ALEXIPHARMIC
“It is truly astringent, incisive, penetrating, opening, and astringent of the humors” (Dorsetn, 1540)
Uses:
1. Clears Heat, stops Leakage:
-Diarrhea, Dysentery, Colitis, Diverticulitis
-excess Sweating
-Ruptures, Hernia in Children or the Elderly
-prevents Miscarriage
-Diabetes, Incontinence (powdered Leaf can be used also)
-Consumption and Night-sweats
-“It serves to heal massive heat that affects the intestines and the stomach”. (Bie Lu, TCM)
2. Cools the Blood, Clears Stasis, Stops Bleeding:
-bleeding from the Stomach, Lungs, Hemorrhoids, or excessive Menstruation
-powder can be used topically to stop bleeding
-decoction in wine (or the Essence or tincture) “dissolves congealed Blood” (Salmon)
-whole plant decocted in equal parts wine and water stops Bleeding and resolves Bruising after Trauma
-“It is useful in women whose periods are heavy” (Dorsetn, 1540)
-“It disperses stagnating blood. It serves to cure blocked menstruation of women”. (Zhen Quan, TCM)
3. Clears Heat and Phlegm, Resolves Swelling:
-inflammation, swelling and tumors of the Jaws or Throat
-Cough, Wheezing, Breathlessness (Dorsetn, 1540; also in Tibetan Medicine)
-Scrofula, Lymphadenitis, Fibroid Tumors (TCM, West)
-“Accumulations and collections in the central and abdominal region”. (Ben Jing, TCM)
-“swelling and all kinds of sores associated with Obstruction-Illness”. (Bie Lu, TCM)
-Cancer: used topically and internally for Cancers; has demonstrated Anti-Cancer activity
4. Clears Heat, Resists Poison:
-prevents infection from Epidemic diseases
-all types of Fever; “The root is most effective against fever”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
-Swellings, Toxic Sores, Abscesses (TCM)
-used for Small Pox, Measles and other spotted Fevers
-venereal diseases including Gonorrhea
-venomous Bites including Snake bite (TCM, West)
-“Cold and Heat Evil Qi”. (Ben Jing, TCM)
-“Malaria associated with madness, and Epidemic Malaria”. (Wang Haogu, TCM)
-the acid (vinegar) tincture is most effective against Poison and Infection
5. Clears Heat and Wind, Stops Spasms:
-convulsions, epilepsy, tetanus, spasms
-Febrile Convulsions (TCM)
-Sciatica (Dorsetn, 1540)
-“It opens the Nine Orifices”. (Ben Jing, TCM)
6. Kills Worms:
-Leaf in Powder taken in 1 dram doses for Worms in Children (Salmon)
7. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:
-Edema, Jaundice
-Fixed Salt of the root or whole plant is most effective
8. Benefits Qi, Astringes Essence
-often credited with having a strengthening action
-“It ends thirst and boosts the Essence”. (Bie Lu, TCM) The astringent action helps retain Essence.
-“supplements depletion and boosts the Qi”. (Su Gong, TCM)
9. Externally:
-Trauma, Bruising
-puncture Wounds and Wounds of the Nerves, the oil in which the root or whole herb is boiled in applied
-wash or ointment for Sores, Wounds, Ulcers, Running sores
-mouthwash for Inflamed Mouth and Gums, loose teeth, spongy gums
-Canker sore and Sores of the Mouth and Throat, acid (vinegar) tincture as a wash or gargle
-“The juice, when warm, is infused into the ears, and cures tinnitus” (Dorsetn, 1540)
-infused in oil and dropped in for Earache
-in enemas for chronic Diarrhea or Dysentery
-“generates muscles and flesh”. (Su Gong, TCM)
-“Powdered and anointed with honey, it purifies phagedaenic and malefic ulcers, especially when white wine is added”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
-douches for Leukorrhea or Ulcers of the Womb
-Ointment for Hemorrhoids or Anal Fissures
-juice is used for Polyps
-“The root, boiled in water, purifies the skin infected with Leprosy”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
-“With honey it is also used to treat vitiligo, nasal polyps and carcinomas”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
Dose:
Decoction of the Root: 3–6 grams
Powder of the Root or Leaf: 1–3 grams
Of the Juice: 3–6 spoonfuls in wine to stop Bleeding and resist Poison.
Of the Fixed Salt: 10 grains–1 scruple
Used topically in washes and pastes.
Correctives:
1. Ginger
2. Honey
3. Rob or Honey of Raisins (Dorsetn, 1540)
4. Quince or Mastic (Dorsetn, 1540)
Substitutes:
Tormentil
Main Combinations:
Heat, Fever:
1. Fever, take the Powder with Theriac and Endive water. (Dorsetn, 1540)
2. Spotted Fevers and other infectious diseases: Bistort with Angelica, Zedoary
3. Intermittent Fever: Bistort with Calamus and Gentian
4. Malaria, combine with Gentian
5. Gonorrhea:
i. Bistort with Plantain seed.
ii. Bistort with Tormentil, Water Lily root, Lettuce seed, Rue, Agnus Castus, Frankincense, Nutmeg
Astringent:
6. Bed-wetting or Incontinence in Children, Bistort leaf in Powder, taken with Plantain juice (Salmon)
7. Diarrhea, Dysentery:
i. Bistort is decocted with Licorice (This was called Bistort Decoction; TCM)
ii. Diarrhea in children, Bistort with Marshmallow root, Angelica
iii. take Bistort with Syrup of Quince
iv. Chronic Diarrhea and Dysentery, Bistort as an enema with Poppy heads
8. Hernia, Bistort with Comfrey root, Fennel seed, Aniseed
9. Bleeding during pregnancy, Bistort with Plantain, Purslane, Coriander (as in Powder for Bleeding During Pregnancy)
10. Threatened Miscarriage:
i. The root is decocted in wine
ii. Bistort, Plantain, Purslane, Coriander, Sugar (equal parts); Powder, mix into a beaten Egg, and take.
iii. Bistort with Aloeswood, Sandalwood, Coral, Tabasheer, Purslane, Coriander, Mastic, Cowry shell (as in Powder Against Miscarriage)
11. Hemorrhoids, Bistort with Marshmallow and Cranesbill root (Rhubarb is added if there is constipation)
Other:
12. Apoplexy, Bistort with Gentian Zedoary, Angelica, Balm, Blessed Thistle, Citron peel, Aloeswood, Cinnamon, Clove, Mace
13. Hemoptyisis:
i. Bistort, Ginseng, Donkey-Hide glue (equal parts in powder). Take 3 grams as a dose
ii. Bistort, Licorice, Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong. Powder and take 3 gram doses.
14. Lung Ulcer (possible Lung Cancer): “I heard from a reliable person that he cured an Ulcer of the Lung of three years’ duration by its means though the sufferer had become very emaciated”. (Book of Simple Drugs, Al Ghafiqi)
Externally:
15. Toothache, Bistort with Pellitory and burnt Alum, put into the hollow tooth or apply to the gums
16. Abscesses and Sores, Bistort root with Lonicera Jin Yin Hua, Forsythia Lian Qiao (TCM)
17. “Powdered and eaten with eggs, it cures asthma, soothes the chest, purifies the lungs, and removes cough”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
18. Powder mixed with Honey into an Electuary for Wheezing and Cough.
19. Douche for Leukorrhea, Ulcers of the Womb and Prolapse, Bistort with Pomegranate peels and flowers
20. Gargle for Inflammation and painful sore throat, Bistort with Plantain, Self Heal, Agrimony, Mother of Thyme, decoct together and add Alum (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
21. Topically for Cancer:
i. Bistort (2 parts) Calx viv (3 parts), mix with vinegar to a paste, put in a shell and dry on coals. Powder and apply to the cancer. (Herbarius latinus, Petri, 1485)
ii. “Against Cancer, Take three parts of Bistort powder, and one third of quicklime, and dilute it with vinegar, and then sprinkle it, for it corrodes, cleanses, and heals.” (Dorsetn, 1540)
Major Formulas
Decoction of Water Lily Compound
Powder for Bleeding During Pregnancy
Powder Against Miscarriage (Unani)
Powder of Muhafiz Janeen (Unani)
Electuary of Scordium
Sandalwood 8 (Tsan dan brgyad pa) (Tibetan Medicine)
Cautions:
1. Not used in constipation
2. Traditionally not used during Pregnancy. “it brings out dead fetuses from the womb, which is why its use is harmful to pregnant women, unless the time for childbirth has come.” (Dorset, 1540)
3. “harms the liver and the stomach by its own nature, attracting to them anything that is harmful”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
Main Preparations used:
Distilled water of the Herb, the Tincture, Wine
i. Wine of Bistort:
“Mixed with sugar and boiled wine it is useful against hamorrhage from any part, and against abrasions of the intestines and chronic diarrhea”. (Book of Simple Drugs, Al Ghafiqi)
2. Distilled Water:
Used as a wash for Bites and Stings. Also “very good to wash running Sores or Ulcers” (usually Basal Cell Carcinoma). Also generally for all the purposes listed above. (Culpeper)
Click the above Tabs for more information on this medicine
-The name Bistort comes from ‘Bis’ meaning twice and ‘torta’, twisted. Many names refer to the roots curved snake-like appearance, hence Snakeweed, Adderwort etc. The Russian name translates as ‘Serpent’.
-Bistort has been used as a vegetable in Europe and Russia, especially during times of famine, where it was said to shrink the stomach and intestines, thereby easing hunger. It was usually steeped in water, then roasted and eaten, although it was also made into bread. The root of a related American species fed members of several Indian tribes. The young shoots are still used as a salad vegetable.
-The seeds have been used to fatten poultry.
-Traditionally carried to promote Fertility. This was due to the dry astringing character of the herb which has a drawing effect, which can draw a conception by drawing the sperm.
-Bistort was burned to dispel Ghosts and Evil Spirits. An infusion of the herb can be sprinkled through a home to cleanse, and even the ashes have been used.
(Last Updated Sep 2025)
GENERAL / REVIEW
–[Pharmacognostical identification on the Chinese drug quanshen].
–[On the substances in the rhizome of Polygonum bistorta L].
–Chemical composition of edible aerial parts of meadow bistort (Persicaria bistorta (L.) Samp.).
ANTIBACTERIAL
–Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity of bistort (Bistorta officinalis) aqueous extract and its major components. Justification of the usage of the medicinal plant material as a traditional topical agent.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
–Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity of bistort (Bistorta officinalis) aqueous extract and its major components. Justification of the usage of the medicinal plant material as a traditional topical agent.
–The anti-inflammatory compounds of Polygonum bistorta: isolation and characterisation.
–Anti-inflammatory activity of Polygonum bistorta, Guaiacum officinale and Hamamelis virginiana in rats.
–Anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects of selected Pakistani medicinal plants in Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells.
CYTOPROTECTIVE
–Anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects of selected Pakistani medicinal plants in Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells.
ACUTE LUNG INJURY
–Exploration of the anti-inflammatory potential of Polygonum bistorta L.: protection against LPS-induced acute lung injury in rats via NF-qbeta pathway inhibition.
DIABETES
–In-vitro antidiabetic activity of a Bistorta officinalis Delarbre root extract can not be confirmed in the in-vivo models hen’s egg test and Drosophila melanogaster.
ANTICANCER
–Aqueous extract of Polygonum bistorta modulates proteostasis by ROS-induced ER stress in human hepatoma cells.
–Anticancer constituents and cytotoxic activity of methanol-water extract of Polygonum bistorta L.
–Evaluation of Polygonum bistorta for anticancer potential using selected cancer cell lines.
INTERFERON-LIKE ACTIVITY
–The investigations into the interferon-like activity of Polygonum L. genus.
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Some regarded it as having a strengthening function: “strengthens the nature of man.” (Dorsetn, 1540)