Burnet, most often referring to great burnet or Sanguisorba officinalis, is a traditional medicinal herb with a long history of use for bleeding, irritated skin, and bowel complaints. In East Asian herbal practice, the root is the main medicinal part, while some modern research also examines the aerial parts for antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds. What makes burnet especially interesting is its chemistry: it contains tannins, triterpenoids, and phenolic acids that help explain why it is often described as astringent, soothing, and protective.
Today, burnet sits in an important middle ground. It has credible traditional uses and promising lab and animal data, but it still lacks strong, standardized human dosing research. That means it can be useful, but it should be approached with realistic expectations. This guide explains what burnet contains, what it may help with, how people use it, how dosing is usually handled in practice, and the safety issues that matter most.
Core Points
- Burnet root is traditionally used for bleeding, diarrhea, and inflamed or irritated skin and tissue.
- Its key compounds include tannins and triterpenoids, which are linked to astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects.
- A traditional decoction dose is often 10–15 g of dried root, with larger doses up to 30 g used only in supervised practice.
- Avoid self-treating serious bleeding, and use extra caution if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking blood-thinning medication.
- Burnet has promising preclinical data, but human evidence is still limited and not standardized.
Table of Contents
- What Is Burnet and What Part Is Used
- Key Ingredients in Burnet
- What Burnet May Help With
- How to Use Burnet
- How Much Burnet Per Day
- Side Effects, Interactions, and Who Should Avoid It
- What the Evidence Actually Says
What Is Burnet and What Part Is Used
Burnet is a broad common name, but in herbal medicine the most important medicinal species is Sanguisorba officinalis, often called great burnet. It belongs to the rose family and grows across parts of Europe and Asia. In traditional East Asian medicine, the medicinal drug is the dried root, commonly called Sanguisorbae Radix. This root has been used for centuries, especially in formulas aimed at bleeding, bowel irritation, and skin damage.
One detail that often gets missed is that burnet can mean different things depending on context. In culinary settings, people may think of salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor), a milder edible herb. In medicinal discussions, however, the focus is usually on great burnet root. This matters because the chemistry, strength, and traditional indications are not identical across species or plant parts.
The root is the classic form for medicinal use, but modern studies also examine aerial parts such as leaves and stems. Researchers are finding that these above-ground parts contain useful phenolic compounds and may have antioxidant and antibacterial value, especially for topical or cosmetic applications. That does not automatically make them interchangeable with the root. Traditional systems typically assign the strongest hemostatic and astringent actions to the root, especially when prepared in specific ways.
Processing is another key concept. Burnet root may be used raw or processed, including a charred form made through high-heat stir-frying. In traditional practice, this charred version is often used when stronger hemostatic action is desired. Modern chemical work supports the idea that processing changes the herb in meaningful ways rather than simply “burning” it. It alters the balance of tannins and smaller phenolic molecules, which may affect absorption and activity.
In practical terms, think of burnet as a traditional root medicine with several modern research directions:
- Traditional internal use: bleeding patterns, diarrhea, and intestinal irritation.
- Traditional external use: burns, sores, irritated skin, and wound support.
- Modern research use: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and tissue-protective activity.
Burnet is best viewed as a specialized herb, not a daily wellness tonic for everyone. It has a clear traditional profile, but it works best when the reason for using it is specific and the form is matched to the goal.
Key Ingredients in Burnet
Burnet’s medicinal profile comes from a dense mix of plant compounds, and this is where the herb starts to make sense scientifically. The two major groups to know are tannins and triterpenoids, with important support from phenolic acids, flavonoids, and related polyphenols.
Tannins and astringency
Tannins are the best-known compounds in burnet root. They are strongly astringent, which helps explain why burnet is traditionally used for bleeding, weeping skin lesions, and loose stools. Astringent herbs tend to “tighten” tissue and reduce excess fluid loss, at least in a traditional and functional sense.
Burnet contains multiple tannin classes, including:
- Gallotannins
- Ellagitannins
- Procyanidins
These are not just chemistry terms. They help explain real-world effects such as hemostatic support, bowel astringency, and some antimicrobial action. Research on processed burnet root also shows that heating can break larger tannins into smaller phenolic compounds, which may be easier to absorb.
Phenolic acids and smaller polyphenols
Burnet also contains notable phenolic acids and related compounds, including:
- Gallic acid
- Ellagic acid
- Methyl gallate
- Catechin and related compounds
These compounds are often linked with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. In processed burnet root, some of these smaller molecules increase substantially after charring, which may help explain why traditional medicine distinguishes raw root from charred root instead of treating them as the same thing.
One practical takeaway is that the herb’s effect can shift depending on preparation:
- Raw root may preserve a broader tannin profile.
- Charred root may increase certain small phenolic compounds tied to hemostatic and protective effects.
- Ethanolic extracts may emphasize different compounds than water decoctions.
Triterpenoids and saponin-type compounds
Burnet is also rich in triterpenoids, including compounds such as ziyuglycoside I and related triterpenoid saponins. This group is a major reason burnet is now studied for anti-inflammatory, immune-related, metabolic, and anti-tumor pathways. In recent preclinical work, triterpenoid-enriched fractions from processed burnet showed stronger effects than raw material in some colon inflammation and cancer-prevention models.
This is important because it expands how burnet is understood. Traditionally, many people think of it only as a “bleeding herb.” Modern phytochemistry shows it is much broader:
- Tannins support the classic astringent profile.
- Triterpenoids support anti-inflammatory and signaling effects.
- Polyphenols contribute antioxidant and tissue-protective activity.
Why this matters for buyers and users
When choosing a product, the ingredient profile matters more than the front label. Two burnet products can behave differently if one is:
- raw root powder,
- charred root,
- hydroalcoholic extract,
- or a cosmetic-grade extract from aerial parts.
If the label does not state the plant part, extraction method, or whether the root is processed, the product is harder to interpret and dose responsibly.
What Burnet May Help With
Burnet has a strong traditional reputation, but the most helpful way to understand its benefits is to separate traditional use, preclinical evidence, and early human signals. That keeps expectations realistic and helps you decide where it may fit.
1) Bleeding support and astringent uses
The classic use of burnet root is for bleeding patterns, especially those linked to heat or irritation in traditional medicine systems. Historically, it has been used for:
- bleeding hemorrhoids,
- bloody stool,
- uterine bleeding patterns,
- and minor wound bleeding.
The key idea is astringency. Burnet does not replace emergency care, but its traditional role is tissue-tightening and hemostatic support. This is also one reason charred burnet root is widely discussed in traditional processing methods.
2) Digestive and bowel irritation
Burnet is also used for diarrhea, chronic intestinal irritation, and dysentery-type symptoms in traditional herbal frameworks. Its tannin-rich profile supports this use because tannins can reduce secretions and help “dry” an overly loose pattern. People looking for a plant-based option for recurrent loose stool often come across burnet for this reason.
That said, it is not a first-line solution for:
- fever with severe dehydration,
- blood in stool of unknown cause,
- or persistent symptoms that need medical evaluation.
In those settings, burnet should be considered supportive at most, and only after the cause is being addressed.
3) Skin, burns, and topical soothing
Traditional use also includes topical application for:
- burns and scalds,
- eczema-like irritation,
- sores and ulcers,
- and inflamed skin.
Modern research adds a useful layer here. Studies on burnet extracts show antioxidant and antibacterial activity, and some compounds can permeate or accumulate in skin tissue in ex vivo models. This does not prove clinical wound healing in humans, but it does support why burnet keeps appearing in skin and cosmetic research.
4) Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial potential
Preclinical studies suggest burnet has broader anti-inflammatory potential, including effects on inflammatory signaling pathways and microbial growth. These findings are promising for gut inflammation, skin use, and tissue irritation. The evidence is stronger in lab and animal settings than in human trials, so the practical takeaway is cautious optimism, not a cure claim.
5) Other emerging areas
Burnet research now extends into:
- metabolic support,
- hematopoietic support in some formulations,
- anti-wrinkle and skin-aging research,
- and anti-tumor mechanisms.
These are the areas people often search for online, but they are also the areas where overstatement happens most often. Burnet may have potential, but most of these uses still depend on extract type, dose, and study design. The herb is promising, but it is not yet a standardized evidence-based treatment for these conditions.
How to Use Burnet
The best way to use burnet depends on your goal, because the herb is used in more than one form. The most important distinction is internal versus topical use, and within internal use, raw root versus processed root.
Internal use forms
1) Decoction of dried root
This is the classic traditional method. The dried root is simmered in water and taken as a decoction. This is usually the best form when people are using burnet for traditional digestive or bleeding-related indications.
Why decoction matters:
- It matches the historical way the herb has been used.
- It extracts tannins and other water-soluble compounds effectively.
- It gives more predictable dosing than loose “sprinkle” use.
2) Powder or granules
Some people use powdered root or concentrated granules. These can be practical, but quality varies. If the product does not state whether it is:
- raw root,
- charred root,
- or a standardized extract,
it becomes much harder to use safely or compare to traditional dosing.
3) Extracts and combination formulas
Burnet is often sold as part of multi-herb formulas, especially in East Asian herbal practice. This is common because traditional prescribing usually combines burnet with herbs that:
- clear heat,
- support circulation,
- or direct action to the gut or skin.
Combination products may work well in practice, but they make it harder to know what burnet alone is doing.
Topical use forms
Burnet has a long traditional topical role. Common approaches include:
- concentrated decoction wash for irritated skin,
- compresses soaked in a cooled decoction,
- powdered preparations mixed with a carrier for localized use.
Topical use is where many people find burnet most intuitive. The herb’s astringent and antimicrobial profile fits surface-level skin irritation. Still, patch testing matters. A tannin-rich plant can feel drying or irritating on sensitive skin.
Raw root versus charred root
This difference is not cosmetic. Traditional medicine and modern chemistry both treat these as distinct preparations.
- Raw burnet root is often used when the goal includes heat-clearing and tissue soothing.
- Charred burnet root is more closely associated with hemostatic and astringent action.
If a label does not state “charred” or a traditional processing term, assume it is not processed.
Practical use tips
To use burnet more safely:
- Choose a product that names the species (Sanguisorba officinalis).
- Confirm the plant part (root versus aerial parts).
- Check whether it is raw or processed.
- Match the form to your goal (decoction for traditional internal use, topical wash for skin support).
- Do not use it as a substitute for urgent care in serious bleeding, severe diarrhea, or infected wounds.
Burnet is a herb where preparation method strongly shapes the result. Good outcomes depend less on “taking more” and more on using the right form for the right reason.
How Much Burnet Per Day
Burnet dosing is one of the biggest areas of confusion because there is no widely accepted modern standardized human dose across all products. The most usable dosing guidance comes from traditional root use, not from modern capsules or cosmetic extracts.
Traditional root dose range
A commonly cited traditional dose for Radix Sanguisorbae is:
- 10–15 g dried root as a decoction
- Up to 30 g in some cases under trained supervision
This range applies to traditional decoction use of the root. It does not directly convert to:
- capsules,
- tinctures,
- or concentrated extracts.
That is because extraction strength can vary a lot. A 500 mg capsule might be weak, moderate, or very strong depending on extraction ratio and processing.
Timing and duration
Because burnet is often used for acute or short-term goals, timing is usually practical rather than strict. In traditional use, it is commonly taken:
- once or twice daily as part of a decoction,
- often for a short course,
- and adjusted depending on symptoms and constitution.
A cautious approach for self-care is:
- Use the lower end of the traditional range first.
- Limit use to a short trial unless guided by a clinician.
- Reassess if symptoms are not clearly improving.
Do not keep increasing the dose to “force” a response. Burnet is tannin-rich, and higher amounts can increase dryness or digestive discomfort.
Dose variables that matter
Burnet dosing should be adjusted based on:
- form (decoction versus extract),
- goal (internal bowel support versus topical wash),
- preparation (raw versus charred root),
- body sensitivity (especially constipation-prone or dry constitutions),
- and other medications.
For topical use, there is no universal gram dose because preparations vary. Most traditional use relies on a concentrated decoction applied as a wash or compress. Start with a small skin area first.
Common dosing mistakes
The most common problems are not usually “too little” but bad matching:
- Using an unknown extract and assuming it equals decocted root
- Using burnet long term without reassessing the cause
- Taking it for unexplained bleeding without medical evaluation
- Using a high dose while already prone to constipation or dryness
When to get professional help for dosing
You should not self-dose burnet for:
- ongoing rectal bleeding,
- heavy menstrual bleeding,
- ulcerative colitis flare symptoms,
- or burn wounds covering a large area.
These situations need medical evaluation first. Burnet may have a role, but dosing should be part of a treatment plan, not guesswork.
If you are using burnet as a tea or decoction, the traditional 10–15 g dried root range is a reasonable reference point. If you are using capsules or extracts, the safest route is to follow a reputable product label and work with a qualified herbal or medical professional, because equivalence is rarely clear.
Side Effects, Interactions, and Who Should Avoid It
Burnet is often described as a traditional hemostatic and astringent herb, and that profile is exactly why safety matters. The same compounds that make it useful can also make it a poor fit for certain people or situations.
Common side effects and tolerability issues
Burnet is tannin-rich, so the most likely side effects are related to its astringency. These may include:
- stomach discomfort,
- nausea,
- constipation,
- dry mouth,
- or a “tight” feeling in the gut.
These effects are more likely when:
- the dose is high,
- the herb is taken for too long,
- or the person already has a dry, constipated pattern.
Topical use can also irritate sensitive skin, especially if the preparation is very concentrated. It is smart to patch test first.
Who should avoid burnet
Burnet is not a good self-care herb for everyone. Extra caution or avoidance is wise for:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding people
There is not enough reliable safety evidence for routine use. - People with unexplained bleeding
Burnet is traditionally used for bleeding, but unexplained bleeding needs diagnosis first. - People with chronic constipation or significant dryness
Its astringent nature may worsen the pattern. - People with severe liver disease or active gastrointestinal disease without supervision
Burnet should be used only with professional guidance in these cases. - Anyone with a known allergy to plants in the rose family
Cross-reactivity is possible.
Traditional sources also caution against certain “cold-deficiency” bleeding patterns and warn about heavy external use over large burned areas. That warning is especially relevant because burnet contains tannins, and excessive absorption through damaged skin is not a casual risk.
Medication and supplement interactions
Formal human interaction studies are limited, but several practical precautions make sense:
1) Medications and supplements taken by mouth
Tannins can bind to minerals and some compounds, which may reduce absorption. To reduce this risk:
- separate burnet from oral medications by at least 2 to 3 hours
- use extra caution with iron supplements
2) Blood thinners and clotting-related medications
Because burnet is often used for bleeding and hemostatic goals, anyone taking:
- anticoagulants,
- antiplatelet drugs,
- or clotting-related therapies
should talk with a clinician before using it.
The issue is not that burnet is proven to be unsafe in all cases. The issue is that its traditional purpose overlaps with clotting and bleeding, and the evidence is not strong enough to guess safely.
When to stop using burnet
Stop and seek care if you notice:
- worsening bleeding,
- severe abdominal pain,
- rash or swelling,
- signs of infection,
- or any unusual reaction.
Burnet can be a valuable traditional herb, but it should be used with the same respect you would give any potent medicinal plant. The safest approach is short-term, clearly targeted use with careful monitoring.
What the Evidence Actually Says
Burnet has a strong traditional record and a growing modern research base, but the evidence is uneven. Some areas are well-supported in the lab, while others are still weak in human trials. This section is the reality check that helps you use the herb wisely.
Where the evidence is strongest
The strongest evidence today is preclinical, not clinical. That includes:
- phytochemistry studies showing rich tannin and triterpenoid content,
- lab studies showing antioxidant and antimicrobial activity,
- animal studies showing anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective effects,
- and processing studies explaining why charred burnet may act differently from raw root.
This is meaningful. It shows burnet is not just folklore. The chemistry and mechanisms are increasingly plausible, especially for:
- astringent and hemostatic actions,
- inflammatory signaling pathways,
- and skin or tissue support.
What human studies suggest
There are human data points, but they come with limitations. Reviews of Sanguisorba literature report clinical use and small trials involving:
- hemorrhoid bleeding,
- ulcerative colitis-related formulas,
- and anti-wrinkle skin outcomes.
These findings are encouraging, but they are not yet enough to support broad, standardized recommendations because many studies involve:
- multi-herb formulas rather than burnet alone,
- inconsistent trial design,
- older datasets,
- and limited adverse event reporting.
So the right conclusion is not “it does not work.” The better conclusion is:
it may help, but the evidence is not yet strong enough to define a universal dose, product type, or treatment protocol.
Why standardization is still a problem
Burnet research uses many different materials:
- raw root,
- charred root,
- aerial parts,
- ethanol extracts,
- water extracts,
- and triterpenoid-enriched fractions.
That makes results hard to compare. A study using a triterpenoid-rich extract in mice at 15 or 30 mg/kg does not directly translate to a home decoction. Likewise, a skin-permeation study on ethanolic extracts from aerial parts does not prove the same effects for root tea.
Best practical interpretation for readers
Burnet is a reasonable herb to consider when:
- the goal matches traditional use,
- the product is clearly identified,
- and you are using it short term and cautiously.
It is not a good choice when someone wants:
- a guaranteed outcome,
- a one-size-fits-all dose,
- or a replacement for diagnosis and medical treatment.
Bottom line
Burnet is one of those herbs where tradition and modern science are starting to line up, but they have not fully met yet. The plant clearly contains active compounds, and processing changes those compounds in ways that matter. That is a strong foundation. What is still missing is better human research with standardized preparations, cleaner trial design, and clear safety reporting.
Used thoughtfully, burnet can be a useful tool. Used casually or as a substitute for care, it is easy to misuse.
References
- A Comprehensive Review of Genus Sanguisorba: Traditional Uses, Chemical Constituents and Medical Applications – PMC 2021 (Comprehensive Review)
- Frontiers | Investigation of Tannins Transformation in Sanguisorbae Radix Over Carbonizing by Stir-Frying 2022 (Mechanistic Study)
- Sanguisorba officinalis L. ethanolic extracts and essential oil – chemical composition, antioxidant potential, antibacterial activity, and ex vivo skin permeation study – PMC 2024 (Experimental Study)
- The processed Sanguisorba officinalis L. triterpenoids prevent colon cancer through the TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway, combined with network pharmacology, molecular simulation dynamics and experimental verification – PMC 2025 (Preclinical Study)
- Radix Sanguisorbae – TCM Herbs – TCM Wiki 2016 (Traditional Monograph)
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical diagnosis, treatment, or personalized advice. Burnet and burnet root preparations can affect bleeding-related symptoms and may not be appropriate for everyone, especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or when taking prescription medications. Do not use this herb to self-treat heavy bleeding, persistent bowel symptoms, severe burns, or signs of infection. If you are considering burnet for a health condition, speak with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed herbal practitioner who can review your medical history, medications, and the specific product you plan to use.
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