Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), whose root is used as medicine, has a deep red and purple skin, resembling ginseng, hence the name Dan Shen. It is a common Chinese herbal medicine with significant effects and is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is primarily used to treat conditions such as irregular menstruation, postpartum stasis, irritability, and insomnia.
1. Invigorate Blood and Remove Stasis
Used to treat dysmenorrhea and irregular menstruation.
It can clear deposits in the blood, reduce blood viscosity, soften and dilate blood vessels, inhibit thrombosis, and promote healthy blood circulation, effectively preventing and treating coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and other cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
2. Calm the Heart and Relieve Irritation
Dan Shen can be used for irritability and insomnia.
3. Cool the Blood and Reduce Swelling
It can be used to treat sores and swellings caused by blood heat, rashes, etc.
4. Lower Blood Lipids and Blood Sugar
It can improve circulation, lower blood lipids, inhibit or alleviate degeneration and inflammation of liver cells, and can be used by patients with hepatitis and liver fibrosis.
5. Anti-Aging
The trace elements contained can help regulate endocrine and soothe acne regeneration.
The amino acids and proteins in Dan Shen nourish the skin and have whitening effects, while also removing impurities and various pigment spots caused by endocrine disorders.
6. Liver Protection It can inhibit or alleviate degeneration, necrosis, and inflammation of liver cells, promote liver cell regeneration, and has anti-fibrotic effects; additionally, it has inhibitory effects on various bacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
7. Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory
Dan Shen contains tanshinone and dihydrotanshinone, which have certain inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli. At the same time, Dan Shen has certain anti-inflammatory effects.
Dietary Health:
1. Dan Shen Rose Goji Tea
Ingredients: 8g Dan Shen, 5g rose, 5g goji berries. Method: Wash the ingredients thoroughly and boil in a container for 15 minutes.
2. Dan Shen Hawthorn Tea
Ingredients: Hawthorn, Dan Shen. Method: (1) Remove the seeds from the hawthorn, wash, and slice; wash and slice the Dan Shen.
(2) Place the hawthorn and Dan Shen in a pot, add 200ml of water.
(3) Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for 15 minutes.
(4) Strain and add sugar to taste.
3. Dan Shen Chrysanthemum Tea
Ingredients: 10g Dan Shen, 10g Poria, 10g chrysanthemum, 5g licorice.
Method: Boil the herbs in 200ml of water, then simmer for 10 minutes, and it can be consumed as a daily beverage.
4. Dan Shen Red Date Water
Ingredients: About 5g Dan Shen slices, 4-5 red dates.
Method: Remove the pits from the red dates, break them, and place them with Dan Shen slices in a tea cup, pour boiling water and steep for 5 minutes.
5. Dan Shen Yi Mu Cao Tea
Method: Take an appropriate amount of Dan Shen slices and Yi Mu Cao, wash them, and steep in hot water.
Precautions:
1. Dan Shen contains components that can react with calcium and magnesium ions in milk and soy products, forming insoluble substances that the body cannot absorb, reducing the absorption of Dan Shen and affecting its medicinal effects.
2. Dan Shen should not be used with Li Lu, as it can produce side effects that are harmful to the body.
3. Dan Shen has antiplatelet aggregation effects and is a blood invigorator; it should not be taken with aspirin and atropine drugs, as it can affect their efficacy.
4. It should not be used with alkaline medications such as sodium bicarbonate, Gastrointestinal Comfort, magnesium oxide preparations, etc., as the metal ions in these medications can react with the copper in Dan Shen, forming insoluble substances that reduce its effectiveness.
5. Dan Shen is a bitter and cold herb, and excessive consumption is not recommended for patients with middle-jiao and spleen-stomach deficiency and cold.
6. Long-term use of Dan Shen may irritate the gastrointestinal tract.
