A Guide to Yunnan Baiyao For Dogs: How Effective Is This Herbal Treatment?

As pet parents lean more toward using holistic medicine when traditional isn’t working for their dogs, yunnan baiyao has become more popular. Only humans used it in the beginning, but veterinarians have become more aware of its ability to stop bleeding, promote healing, and relieve pain in their patients. This discovery has led to more frequent usage for dogs, especially for bleeding disorders and other health conditions.

However, with increased usage comes questions about safety, effectiveness, accurate dosage, and the conditions that will benefit from it. This guide will cover yunnan baiyao, how it works in dogs, its primary benefits, and the health conditions it can help. We will also discuss safety precautions, side effects, and where to purchase genuine yunnan baiyao products.

Pet parenting deals, just for our kin

Get (totally free) deals for food, treats, accessories, tech, and way more pet parenting must-haves.

Get Deals

What is yunnan baiyao?

Yunnan baiyao, developed in China in the early 1900s, has become an essential part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. People sometimes call it yannan paiyao, which translates to “yunnan white medicine” in English. The primary active ingredient of yunnan baiyao is a plant-based herb called Panax notoginseng (San Qi). This herb is well-documented in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is known to enhance blood clotting and circulation, reduce inflammation, and help with wound healing. 

No one knows what the other ingredients are in yunnan baiyao, but additional herbal ingredients may include:

• Dioscorea root: Supports blood circulation and digestion.

• Rhizoma dioscoreae (Chinese yam): Helps with digestion and energy balance.

• Notoginseng:  Helps stop bleeding and is involved with tissue regeneration.

• Ajuga forrestii: Reduces inflammation and has pain-relief properties.

The history of yunnan baiyao began on the battlefield. Nurses found that it stopped bleeding quickly, which was great for wounds, internal bleeding, and post-surgical recovery. Over time, the veterinary field adopted it and used it, particularly in dogs with bleeding disorders or hemorrhaging from trauma. 

Related article

Some Like It Hot—The Benefits of Warming vs. Cooling Diets

Here’s how certain foods can balance your pet’s energy and even ease their allergies, according to Chinese medicine.

How does yunnan baiyao work in dogs?

The main properties of yunnan baiyao are:

• hemostatic (blood-clotting)

• anti-inflammatory

• analgesic (pain-relieving)

Blood clotting effects (hemostasis)

Yunnan baiyao helps blood clot by promoting platelet grouping. This feature is essential for dogs undergoing the following:

• Internal bleeding, such as a dog who has hemangiosarcoma

• Wounds after the dog has had surgery, a time when bleeding is more common

• Epistaxis (nosebleeds), an event that can happen to a dog that has either nasal cancer or a disorder with their clotting system

Circulatory and anti-inflammatory benefits

You may wonder if yunnan baiyao can create dangerous blood clots if it helps stop bleeding. It’s a good question, but no, it doesn’t. Microcirculation keeps blood flowing even though yunnan baiyao promotes healing by clotting blood, making it helpful for dogs with:

• Arthritis, soft-tissue injuries, and joint inflammation

• Swollen areas caused by trauma or surgical recovery

• Internal swelling and immune dysfunction

Pain-relieving properties

Yunnan baiyao also helps with pain. It is common for dogs to have injury-related, chronic, and post-operative pain, and yunnan baiyao helps them tolerate these occasions. There are several ways that yunnan baiyao helps relieve pain in dogs. It works by reducing inflammation, promoting tissue healing, and improving circulation. It is not an NSAID or opioid. Instead, it is composed of natural compounds. Here’s how it works:

Anti-inflammatory effects

• Inflammation is painful. It causes swelling and stiffness in tissues

• Nerve pain can be very painful. A way of decreasing nerve pain is by reducing pressure on nerves, and yunnan baiyao does that

• For dogs with arthritis, increasing joint mobility is very helpful

Improved blood circulation and oxygenation

Poor circulation delivers less oxygen to tissues. Yunnan baiyao helps:

• Enhance microcirculation, ensuring that tissues receive adequate nutrients and oxygen

• Pain can be reduced by helping damaged tissues heal

• Yunnan baiyao can help with pain from blood-deprived injuries or wounds

Natural analgesic properties

Certain compounds in yunnan baiyao act as mild natural analgesics. Of course, these compounds are not as strong as prescription medications, but they are still very helpful by:

• Blocking pain signals from inflamed or injured areas

• Providing gentle pain relief for chronic conditions like cancer, arthritis, and muscle injuries

Reduction of internal bleeding pain

Internal bleeding is sometimes a part of a condition, such as a dog with the cancer known as hemangiosarcoma. Internal bleeding can cause severe pain and weakness. Yunnan baiyao helps by:

• Slowing internal bleeding, decreasing associated pain and discomfort

• Preventing blood loss-related weakness, which contributes to fatigue and body aches

Wound healing and tissue regeneration

For dogs recovering from surgery, injuries, or chronic wounds, pain often comes from damaged tissues and slow healing. Yunnan baiyao supports:

• Faster wound closure, reducing exposure of nerve endings

• Tissue regeneration, minimizing long-term discomfort

When to use yunnan baiyao for pain relief

Yunnan baiyao is most commonly used for pain associated with:

• Cancer-related pain (i.e., hemangiosarcoma, tumors)

• Post-surgical pain (especially after procedures with high bleeding risk)

• Arthritis and joint inflammation

• Traumatic injuries (i.e., bruises, sprains, wounds)

Combination with other pain-relief medications

Yunnan baiyao is often used alongside other pain management treatments, such as:

• NSAIDs (carprofen, meloxicam) for arthritis or post-surgical pain

• Gabapentin for nerve-related pain

• Opioids (tramadol, buprenorphine) for severe cancer pain

Main benefits of yunnan baiyao

Wound healing

Yunnan baiyao is one of the few medicines that work externally and internally. It helps with wound healing. When taken internally, it is given as capsules or powder. When applied externally, the powder speeds up clot formation and decreases excessive bleeding. 

This is particularly helpful for dogs with traumatic injuries, surgical incisions, and chronic wound management.   

Hemostasis (blood clotting)

Dogs can get several different types of cancer. One of the most aggressive ones is hemangiosarcoma. It affects blood vessels and often leads to severe internal bleeding. Many veterinarians prescribe yunnan baiyao for dogs suffering from hemangiosarcoma. The fact that yunnan baiyao can control bleeding without causing clots to form makes it very valuable. Other conditions that may benefit from yunnan baiyao’s hemostatic effects include:

• Nosebleeds (Epistaxis).

• Liver and spleen bleeding disorders.

• Gastrointestinal ulcers that cause internal bleeding.

Pain relief

Dogs, just like people, can feel pain under many different circumstances. They even have chronic pain, like a person with arthritis. There’s also a large amount of pain following many surgeries. Yunnan baiyao can be very helpful in those situations. Its mild analgesic effects give pet parents a natural way to decrease pain for their dogs without using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. 

Anti-inflammatory properties

The same is true of other chronic diseases. Joint disorders, digestive issues, and immune dysfunctions include a great deal of Inflammation. Yunnan baiyao’s anti-inflammatory effects help reduce:

• Swelling and stiffness in arthritic joints.

• Internal inflammation affecting the gut and liver.

• Post-surgical swelling and discomfort.

Cancer management

Hemangiosarcoma has already been mentioned, but here are a few additional facts. One of the most promising uses of yunnan baiyao in dogs is managing cancer symptoms — particularly hemangiosarcoma. This very aggressive cancer leads to internal bleeding, often to the point that the dog collapses or dies from such extreme blood loss. Yunnan baiyao is commonly recommended to:

• Control bleeding episodes.

• Stabilize a dog’s condition before surgery or chemotherapy.

• Improve the quality of life by reducing pain and anemia.

Yunnan baiyao is not a cure for hemangiosarcoma but is often given to help prolong life and minimize bleeding episodes. 

Conditions yunnan baiyao treats (including recommended dosages)

Hemangiosarcoma

Dose one capsule per 10 to 20 pounds every eight to 12 hours. Increase temporarily if acute bleeding occurs.

Post-surgical recovery

Dose 1 capsule per 10-20 pounds every 12 hours for three to five days. Reduces risk of excessive bleeding.

Wounds and injuries

Dose one capsule per 10 to 20 pounds every 12 hours. Can also be applied topically.

Nasal bleeding (epistaxis)

Dose one capsule per 10 to 20 pounds every eight to 12 hours. Helps control frequent nosebleeds.

Immune-mediated bleeding disorders

Dose one capsule per 10 to 20 pounds every 12 hours. Consult your veterinarian for long-term use. Always consult your veterinarian before starting yunnan baiyao to ensure appropriate dosages and the safety of your dog’s condition.

Related article

Can Dogs Get Acupuncture?

Find out if this complementary and alternative medicine is right for your pup.

Safety and side effects of yunnan baiyao

Potential side effects:

• Vomiting and diarrhea

• Potential interactions with blood thinners or anticoagulants

• Blood pressure changes

Special considerations:

• Use with caution in pregnant or nursing dogs

• Avoid use with anticoagulants (Aspirin, Warfarin, Clopidogrel)

• Monitor long-term use in dogs with liver or kidney disease

Where to buy yunnan baiyao

Yunnan baiyao can be purchased from:

• Veterinary clinics

• Online retailers (Amazon, Chewy, pet pharmacies)

• Traditional Chinese Medicine shops

Ensure authenticity by verifying packaging, reviews, and seller reputation.

Bottom line

To sum it up, yunnan baiyao can be a fantastic herbal treatment for bleeding disorders, wound healing, pain relief, and inflammation control. It does not cure diseases such as cancer, but it can be instrumental in helping with symptoms, thereby improving the quality of life for many dogs. If you are considering yunnan baiyao for your dog, always talk to your vet to make sure it is safe and effective for your pup. 

Disclaimer alert: This article is here to share information. But, much like pineapple on pizza, the topic may be controversial. Meaning, not all vets or pet professionals agree. Because every pet is a unique weirdo with specific needs. So, don’t take this as fact or medical advice. Talk things over with your vet when making decisions, and use your best judgment (about both your pet’s health and pizza toppings).

References

• ‌Frederick, Jami, et al. “The Effects of Oral Administration of Yunnan Baiyao on Blood Coag...: Ingenta Connect.” Ingentaconnect.com, 2017 Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

• Tansey, Colleen, et al. “A Prospective Evaluation of Oral Yunnan Baiyao Therapy on Thromboleastographic Parameters in Apparently Healthy Dogs.” Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, vol. 28, no. 3, May 2018, pp. 221–225,. Accessed 15 Nov. 2021.

• Wirth, K. A., et al. “In Vitro Effects of Yunnan Baiyao on Canine Hemangiosarcoma Cell Lines.” Veterinary and Comparative Oncology, vol. 14, no. 3, 1 Sept. 2016, pp. 281–294, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24976212/,. Accessed 5 Jan. 2022.