Yunnan Baiyao.
Its precise mechanism and full formulation remain proprietary; the red pill is not “natural epinephrine”; side effects are possible; and current studies have not established that it prolongs survival in dogs with cancer while that has been my experience. Laboratory research suggests potential activity against canine hemangiosarcoma cells, but clinical evidence remains limited. Published canine studies, MSPCA-Angell evidence review.
Yunnan Baiyao: A Traditional Aid for Controlling Bleeding
Yunnan Baiyao is a proprietary formulation of several traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. It was developed in China more than a century ago and became particularly well known for its use in controlling traumatic bleeding, including during wartime. It continues to be used in human medicine in China for certain wounds and bleeding conditions.
Veterinarians sometimes use Yunnan Baiyao as a complementary treatment for dogs and cats that are bleeding or are at risk of bleeding. It is especially common in the supportive management of dogs with vascular tumors such as hemangioma and hemangiosarcoma. These tumors may rupture and cause bleeding into the abdomen, chest, sac surrounding the heart, or other parts of the body.
Yunnan Baiyao is not a cure for cancer, nor should it replace surgery, chemotherapy, transfusions, emergency stabilization, or other appropriate medical care. However, some veterinarians—including me—use it in an effort to reduce the frequency or severity of bleeding episodes and help maintain a patient’s stability and quality of life.
Its precise mechanism of action is not completely understood. Research suggests that Yunnan Baiyao may influence platelet activity and other processes involved in controlling bleeding. Laboratory studies have also found that it can cause programmed cell death in canine hemangiosarcoma cell lines. That finding is interesting, but laboratory activity does not prove that the product slows cancer or extends survival in living dogs. At present, reports that it prolongs survival remain largely anecdotal, and controlled clinical evidence is limited.
I may also consider Yunnan Baiyao in selected patients with other bleeding disorders. Its use in immune-mediated hemolytic anemia requires particular caution: IMHA primarily destroys red blood cells and can substantially increase the risk of dangerous blood clots. Yunnan Baiyao should therefore be used only after the veterinarian has evaluated the individual patient’s bleeding and clotting risks.
Although Yunnan Baiyao is generally well tolerated, it is not accurate to say that it can never cause side effects. Reported or potential effects include nausea, reduced appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, skin reactions, and possible liver-enzyme elevations. Additional caution may be necessary in animals with liver disease, clotting disorders, pregnancy, or those receiving anticoagulants, antiplatelet medications, NSAIDs, or other treatments that affect bleeding and clotting. Veterinary safety information.
Most packages contain a small red emergency pill in addition to the regular capsules. This pill is not natural epinephrine. It is intended for serious, acute bleeding, but its exact formulation is proprietary. Owners should save it and administer it only when specifically directed by their veterinarian. Any animal showing weakness, collapse, pale gums, rapid breathing, abdominal enlargement, or suspected internal bleeding requires immediate emergency veterinary attention—even if Yunnan Baiyao has already been given.
Dosage should be determined by the attending veterinarian according to the animal’s species, body weight, medical condition, bleeding risk, other medications, and the specific product being used. A veterinarian may prescribe a regimen such as 250 mg once daily for some cats or 250 mg twice daily for some dogs, but those amounts are not appropriate for every patient. More is not necessarily better, and owners should never increase the dose or give the emergency pill without veterinary direction.
More information is available at DrJohnson.com.
Yunnan Baiyao was originated in 1902 by Dr. Qu Huanzhang in Yunnan, China. Over the past 100 years, Yunnan Baiyao made its name in the battle grounds of Chinese fighting against Japanese invasion in World War II and of the Vietcong fighting against USA during the Vietnam War by saving soldiers’ lives from severe wounds. In China, Yunnan Baiyao may be used as first-aid for any kind of traumatic injury or internal bleeding, whether one has a small cut, bruise, swelling, an internal injury from car accidents or fighting, or bleeding from surgery and stomach ulcers etc.† One may simply pour the Yunnan Baiyao powder on to the cut and/or swallow the powder. In the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) terms, Yunnan Baiyao stops bleeding, disperses blood stasis, activates blood circulation, alleviates pain, clears away toxins, and reduce swelling.† In studies, Yunnan Baiyao is shown to shorten the bleeding time and clotting time and reduce inflammatory response. Doctors in China also let patients take Yunnan Baiyao before
surgeries (0 to 5 days) because studies show that Yunnan Baiyao can reduce the amount of bleeding during operation.1,2 When applied after operation, Yunnan Baiyao may promote healing from the wound.†The exact ingredients and production procedure of Yunnan Baiyao are still state secrets of China. It is believed that the main Chinese herb is San Qi, or called Tien Chi, Panax pseudoginseng, Panax notoginseng, Notoginseng. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
https://www.walmart.com/c/kp/yunnan
These capsules Walmart sells are 250mg each
For a cat, they’re giving one per day. I don’t have any cats on this compound at this time (11/2022), with no experience with it in cats.
For a small dog, under 20 lbs you give one per day
For a large dog you give one every 12 hours.
For the long haul.
