(Zi) Dan Shen "Purple-red Ginseng" Red Sage Salvia miltiorrhiza Rx. Salviae Miltiorrhizae
Properties: bitter slightly cold
Channels: Heart Pericardium Liver
Functions: moves & activates blood, stops pain, calms the spirit, promotes
tissue regeneration, regulates menses
alcohol prepared: Number one herb for heart disease. It is used to
activate and move qi in blood in the heart and chest for chest pain and
fullness. The formula Fu Fan Dan Shen Pian is a Chinese patent formula
used for coronary heart disease and long term to prevent heart attack.
Also helpful in combination with other herbs for: epigastric & abdomen
pain, reducing masses, irregular menses.
raw:cools the blood and removes abscess for breast absess, appendicitis,
eczema, scoriosis, blood cancer rashes.
Moves and cools the blood and nourishes blood, calms the spirit; for irritability,
insomnia, restlessness, anxiety
In China Dan Shen is used in IV or musle injection for angina or coronary
artery disease.
Classical Reference: Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing
Dosage in decoction: 5-15g up to 30g if used alone
Caution: not compatible with Li Lu, black false hellebore, Veratrum nigra
Must be used cautiously with prescription heart medications.
This herb should not be taken with Warfarin, Heparin, Ticlopidine.
Research:
Studies by Chinese researchers have demonstrated this herb
decreases cholesterol, promotes liver cell regeneration, is anti-liver cancer.
Further, It increases vasodialation, reduces vascular permeability, increases
phagocytosis, speeds wound healing for injury, an is an anticoagulant. Modulation of
multiple receptors is responsible for these effects and occurs in the following
pathways: Calcium ion channel, dopamine, adrenergic, angiotnesin II, benzodiazapin,
and endorphine.
Distribution: sunny mountains, roadside ditches, fields, edge of forests, near streams.
Grows throughout China. Best quality is from Sichuan.
Cultivation: Moist sandy soil. Tolerates cold. Sow seeds indoors in early spring, then
transplant outside. The root is collected in spring or autumn
Processing: clean the root and cover with moist cloth. After roots are moistens slice and
dry in the sun. Roasted Dan-Shen should be stir fried until 5% charred.
Alternate species: Salvia bowleyana, Salvia przewalskii
References:
1. Blood-moving Herbs and Dan Shen. 1998-2000, Integrative Medical Arts Group, Inc.
2. Herbal Emissaries bringing Chinese Herbs to the West. Steven Foster and
Yue ChongXi. 1992. Healing Arts Press, Rochester, Vermont. pp. 122-126.
3. Lecture and notes from Pharmacopoeia III 1998. Dr. Li Jin,
OMD, p. 59.
This herb is the 5th stop on the Chinesetherapeutics.org tour of the Bastyr Chinese
Herb Garden. Click here to continue the tour.
Chinese Pharmacopoeia Index