The Efficacy, Nutritional Value, and Precautions of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza)
Danshen, also known as Zǐ Dānshēn (Purple Danshen), Chìshēn (Red Danshen), Hóng Dānshēn (Red Danshen), Xuèshēn Gēn (Blood Root), Xuèshēn (Blood Danshen), Shānshēn (Mountain Danshen), Shān Hóng Luóbo (Mountain Red Radish), Dà Hóng Páo (Big Red Robe), Diān Dānshēn (Yunnan Danshen), and Chuān Dānshēn (Sichuan Danshen), is known for its ability to invigorate blood circulation, dispel blood stasis, regulate menstruation and alleviate pain, clear the heart and calm the mind, cool the blood and reduce abscesses. It is used to treat chest pain, abdominal and flank pain, masses and accumulations, heat bi pain, irritability and insomnia, menstrual irregularities, and ulcers.
Danshen
【Name】Danshen
【Alias】Zǐ Dānshēn (Purple Danshen), Chìshēn (Red Danshen), Hóng Dānshēn (Red Danshen), Xuèshēn Gēn (Blood Root), Xuèshēn (Blood Danshen), Shānshēn (Mountain Danshen), Shān Hóng Luóbo (Mountain Red Radish), Dà Hóng Páo (Big Red Robe), Diān Dānshēn (Yunnan Danshen), Chuān Dānshēn (Sichuan Danshen).
【Source】The root of the plant Salvia miltiorrhiza.
【Classification】Blood-invigorating and stasis-dispelling herb.
【Properties】Bitter, slightly cold.
【Efficacy】Invigorates blood circulation, dispels blood stasis, regulates menstruation and alleviates pain, clears the heart and calms the mind, cools the blood and reduces abscesses.
【Indications】Used for chest pain, abdominal and flank pain, masses and accumulations, heat bi pain, irritability and insomnia, menstrual irregularities, and ulcers.
【Dosage】10-15 grams.
【Source】2015 Edition of the Pharmacopoeia
The Efficacy and Precautions of Danshen
【Efficacy of Danshen】Invigorates blood circulation, dispels blood stasis, regulates menstruation and alleviates pain, clears the heart and calms the mind, cools the blood and reduces abscesses, treating chest pain, abdominal and flank pain, masses and accumulations, heat bi pain, irritability and insomnia, menstrual irregularities, and ulcers.
1. For treating yin pain or swelling: Use 1 liang of Danshen, 1 liang of Betel nut, and 0.5 liang of dried tangerine peel (soaked in soup to remove the white pith, then roasted), and 0.5 liang of Rǔxiāng (Frankincense). Grind the herbs finely and mix. Take 2 qian before meals with warm wine. (From Shèng Huì Fāng Danshen Powder)
2. For treating women’s breast swelling and pain: Use 2 liang each of Danshen and Sháoyào (Peony), and 1 liang of Báizhǐ (Angelica dahurica). Soak the three herbs in bitter wine overnight, mix with pig fat, and simmer on low heat until a paste forms for application. (From Liú Juānzi Guǐ Yí Fāng Danshen Ointment)
3. For treating women’s menstrual irregularities, whether early or late, excessive or insufficient, and for stabilizing the fetus before delivery and expelling lochia after delivery: Use Danshen (remove the fibrous parts) in any amount, ground into powder. Take 2 qian with wine before meals for menstrual irregularities and for any cold or heat-related labor pains. (From Fùrén Liángfāng Danshen Powder)
4. For treating burns from hot oil and alleviating pain while promoting skin regeneration: Use 8 liang of Danshen, chopped, and mix with a little water, then add 2 jin of sheep fat, simmer three times to apply to the wound. (From Zhǒu Hòu Fāng)
5. For treating children with sweating from wind stroke, body stiffness, and high fever with crying: Use 0.5 liang of Danshen and 37 pieces of mouse droppings (lightly roasted). Grind the herbs finely and mix. Take half a qian with gruel, adjusting the dosage according to the child’s size. (From Shèng Huì Fāng Danshen Powder)
【Precautions for Using Danshen】Use with caution in those without blood stasis.
Dietary Therapy Methods
1 Danshen Pills
Prescription: 90 grams each of Danshen, Dùzhòng (Eucommia), Niúxī (Achyranthes), and Xùduàn (Dipsacus), and 60 grams each of Guìxīn (Cinnamon) and Gān Jiāng (Dried Ginger).
Preparation: Grind the six ingredients into a fine powder, mix with honey to form pills the size of a wutong seed.
Dosage: Take 20 pills with wine, twice a day.
Efficacy: Primarily for treating lower back pain and cold bi syndrome.
Excerpted from Bèi Jí Qiān Jīn Yào Fāng, Volume 19