In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the liver governs “regulation”, similar to the function of a city’s sewage system. When the liver is healthy, waste and toxins can be smoothly expelled, allowing for the free flow of qi and blood, resulting in overall good health. Conversely, if the liver is obstructed by phlegm-dampness and blood stasis, the consequences can be dire!
Next, let me introduce a “treasure herb” that activates blood circulation and calms the mind—Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza). When used properly, it can help liver cirrhosis “stay at bay”!
Dan Shen, with a bitter and slightly cold nature, belongs to the heart and liver meridians. It has been a commonly used medicinal material in TCM for centuries, with its medicinal part being the dried roots and rhizomes of the Lamiaceae plant. It possesses the effects of activating blood circulation, dispelling blood stasis, relieving pain, calming the heart, alleviating irritability, and cooling the blood to reduce abscesses. Its significant role in treating liver cirrhosis and other liver diseases is primarily due to the following pharmacological actions:
1. Nourishing Blood, Softening the Liver, Calming the Mind:
Dan Shen can enter the liver meridian and, through its blood-activating and stasis-dispelling effects, improve liver microcirculation, promote the repair and regeneration of liver cells, thereby enhancing the liver’s detoxification capacity.
At the same time, Dan Shen can also regulate the cardiovascular system, improve blood supply to the heart, and alleviate symptoms such as palpitations and insomnia caused by liver diseases, achieving a calming effect on the mind. This is particularly important for patients with liver cirrhosis, as it often accompanies a decline in cardiac function, leading to symptoms of palpitations and insomnia.
2. Activating Blood Circulation and Reducing Liver and Spleen Swelling:
Dan Shen is an excellent herb for activating blood circulation and dispelling blood stasis. It can accelerate blood circulation, promote the expulsion of blood stasis within the liver, reduce the burden on the liver, and improve liver microcirculation. For patients with liver cirrhosis, the blood-activating and stasis-dispelling effects of Dan Shen help dissipate blood stasis in the liver and reduce the proliferation of fibrous tissue, thereby delaying the progression of liver cirrhosis to some extent.
Additionally, Dan Shen can also regulate immune function, reduce inflammatory responses in the liver, promote the reduction of the liver and spleen, and improve the overall health of the patient.
So how is it used in the treatment of liver cirrhosis?
Actually, it is quite simple; the basic formula only requires the use of four ingredients: Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis), Ru Xiang (Boswellia), Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), and Mo Yao (Commiphora). The rest can be adjusted based on the duration of the illness, individual constitution, etc.
Dang Gui
Dang Gui, known as the “herbal saint for women,” has long been recognized for its medicinal value in TCM. It has a sweet, spicy, and warm nature, entering the liver, heart, and spleen meridians, and possesses the effects of nourishing and activating blood, regulating menstruation, relieving pain, and promoting bowel movements.
In the treatment of liver cirrhosis, the blood-nourishing and activating effects of Dang Gui are particularly important. The liver, as a vital metabolic organ in the body, often experiences a decline in function accompanied by a decrease in blood quality. Dang Gui can replenish the nutrients needed by the liver, promote the regeneration and repair of liver cells, and accelerate blood circulation to help the liver expel toxins and reduce its burden.
Ru Xiang
Ru Xiang, with a spicy, bitter, and warm nature, enters the heart, liver, and spleen meridians, and has the effects of activating blood, promoting qi, relieving pain, and reducing swelling.
In the treatment of liver cirrhosis, the role of Ru Xiang is mainly reflected in two aspects: first, through its blood-activating and qi-promoting properties, it enhances blood circulation in the liver and accelerates the dissipation of blood stasis, thereby reducing the degree of liver fibrosis; second, through its pain-relieving and swelling-reducing effects, it alleviates discomfort caused by liver enlargement and pain in cirrhosis patients. The combination of Ru Xiang and Dang Gui not only enhances the effects of activating blood and dispelling stasis but also helps to balance qi and blood, allowing the liver to be fully nourished and repaired.
Dan Shen
As the protagonist of this article, the medicinal value of Dan Shen is self-evident. It has a bitter and slightly cold nature, entering the heart and liver meridians, and possesses the effects of activating blood circulation, dispelling blood stasis, relieving pain, calming the heart, alleviating irritability, and cooling the blood to reduce abscesses.
In the treatment of liver cirrhosis, the blood-activating and stasis-dispelling effects of Dan Shen are particularly prominent. It can accelerate blood circulation, promote the expulsion of blood stasis within the liver, reduce the burden on the liver, and improve liver microcirculation. At the same time, Dan Shen can also regulate the cardiovascular system, improve blood supply to the heart, and alleviate symptoms such as palpitations and insomnia caused by liver diseases, achieving a calming effect on the mind.
Mo Yao
Mo Yao, with a bitter, spicy, and neutral nature, enters the heart, liver, and spleen meridians, and has the effects of dispelling stasis, relieving pain, and promoting tissue regeneration.
In the treatment of liver cirrhosis, the role of Mo Yao is mainly reflected in two aspects: first, through its stasis-dispelling and pain-relieving properties, it helps the liver to dissipate blood stasis, reduce the degree of liver fibrosis, and alleviate pain symptoms; second, through its swelling-reducing and tissue-regenerating effects, it promotes the repair and regeneration of liver tissue, accelerating the recovery process of liver cirrhosis.
Additionally, TCM emphasizes “three parts treatment and seven parts nourishment”. In the process of treating liver cirrhosis, in addition to medication, attention should also be paid to the daily care of the patient.
Maintaining good lifestyle habits, such as regular sleep, a balanced diet, and moderate exercise, are important means to improve liver function and promote recovery. At the same time, maintaining an optimistic mindset and actively facing the disease is also a crucial part of overcoming illness.
Warm reminder: This account aims to promote TCM culture, and the herbal formulas mentioned in the text are for learning and exchange purposes only.
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