PinyinDān Shēn
Alias Yi Shen, Mu Yang Ru (《吴普本草》), Zhu Ma (Tao Hongjing), Shan Shen (《日华子本草》), Zi Dan Shen (《现代实用中药》), Hong Gen (《中国药植志》), Zi Dang Shen (《南京民间药草》), Shan Hong Luo Bo (《浙江中药手册》), Huo Xue Gen, Kao Shan Hong, Hong Shen (《江苏植药志》), Shao Jiu Hu Gen, Ye Su Zi Gen, Shan Su Zi Gen (《东北药植志》), Da Hong Pao (《河北药材》), Mi Guan Tou, Xue Shen Gen, Duo Duo Hua Gen (《山东中药》), Feng Tang Guan (《陕西中药志》).
Source《本经》
Origin The root of the Lamiaceae plant Dan Shen. It can be harvested from early November to early March of the following year, with early November being the best time. The roots are dug up, cleaned of soil and roots, and dried.
Habitat Distribution Grows in sunny mountain areas. Distributed in Liaoning, Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, Sichuan, Guizhou, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Guangxi, etc. Mainly produced in Anhui, Shanxi, Hebei, Sichuan, Jiangsu, etc. Additionally, it is also found in Hubei, Gansu, Liaoning, Shaanxi, Shandong, Zhejiang, Henan, Jiangxi, etc.
Morphology Dan Shen, also known as: Qie Chan Cao (《本经》), Ben Ma Cao (《四声本草》), Chang Shu Wei Cao.
Perennial herb, 30-80 cm tall, the whole plant densely covered with yellow-white soft hairs and glandular hairs. The root is slender and cylindrical, with a reddish-brown outer skin. The stem is erect, square, with shallow grooves on the surface. The leaves are odd-pinnate, opposite, with petioles; leaflets 3-5, rarely 7, with the terminal leaflet being the largest and the longest petiole; leaflets are ovate or broadly lanceolate, 2-7.5 cm long, 0.8-5 cm wide, with acute or gradually pointed tips, and the base is obliquely rounded, broadly wedge-shaped, or nearly heart-shaped, with rounded serrations on the edges, deep green above, sparsely covered with white soft hairs, gray-green below, densely covered with white long soft hairs, especially on the veins. The inflorescence is a raceme, terminal or axillary, 10-20 cm long; flowers are whorled, with 3-10 flowers per whorl, bracts lanceolate, about 4 mm long; the calyx is purple, bell-shaped, 1-1.3 cm long, with a two-lipped apex, the upper lip is broadly triangular with an acute tip, the lower lip is triangular with two acute lobes, the throat of the calyx is densely covered with white long hairs; the corolla is blue-purple, two-lipped, about 2.5 cm long, with the upper lip straight and slightly sickle-shaped, the lower lip shorter and rounded, with three lobes, the central lobe being longer and larger, with two shallow lobes at the tip; there are 2 developed stamens, the filaments are columnar, the anther is elongated and horizontally expanded, T-shaped, the anther is unilocular, linear, extending beyond the corolla, with 2 degenerated stamens, the anthers degenerated into petal-like structures; the ovary is superior, 4 deeply lobed, the style extends beyond the corolla, the stigma is bifid and purple. There are 4 small achenes, oval, black, 3 mm long. Flowering period is from May to August. Fruiting period is from August to September.
Characteristics The dried root often has remnants of the stem base at the top, with 1 to many slender branches growing from the rhizome. The root is slightly elongated cylindrical, slightly curved, sometimes branched, with many fine fibrous roots, about 10-25 cm long, 0.8-1.5 cm in diameter, lateral roots about 5-8 cm long, 2-5 mm in diameter, the surface is brownish-red to brick-red, rough, with irregular longitudinal wrinkles or cork, often peeling in scale-like patterns. The texture is hard and brittle, easily broken, with an uneven fracture surface, with a horn-like or fibrous texture, the bark is darker, purple-black or brick-red, the wood part has vascular bundles that are gray-yellow or yellow-white, arranged radially. The aroma is weak, the taste is sweet and slightly bitter. The best quality is characterized by a thick root, purple-black interior, and white spots resembling chrysanthemums.
Chemical Components Contains Danshenone I, II A, II B, Isodanshenone I, II A, Hidden Danshenone, Isohidden Danshenone, Methyl Danshenone, Hydroxy Danshenone, etc.
Preparation Remove impurities, discard the rhizome, wash, drain, moisten, slice, and dry. Stir-fried Danshen: Place Danshen slices in a pan and stir-fry over low heat until slightly charred, then remove and cool.
《品汇精要》: “Remove the pith, chop finely for use.”
Meridian Entry Enters the Heart and Liver meridians.
①《纲目》: “Blood medicine for the Hand Shaoyin and Jueyin.”
②《本草经疏》: “Enters the Hand and Foot Shaoyin, Foot Jueyin meridians.”
③《本草正》: “Blood medicine for the Heart, Spleen, Liver, and Kidney.”
Properties and Flavor Bitter, slightly warm.
①《本经》: “Bitter taste, slightly cold, non-toxic.”
②《吴普本草》: “Qibo: Salty.”
③ Li Dangzhi’s 《药录》: “Greatly cold.”
④《本草经疏》: “Bitter taste, neutral, slightly warm.”
Precautions Use with caution in those without blood stasis.
①《本草经集庄》: “Avoid salty water. Counteracts with Li Lu.”
②《本草经疏》: “Do not use during pregnancy without reason.”
③《本草备要》: “Avoid vinegar.”
④《本经逢原》: “Avoid in cases of loose stools.”
Main Functions and Indications Invigorates blood and dispels stasis, calms the spirit, promotes pus discharge, alleviates pain. Treats angina pectoris, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, excessive uterine bleeding, abdominal masses, blood stasis abdominal pain, joint pain, palpitations and insomnia, carbuncles and toxic swellings.
①《本经》: “Treats evil qi in the heart and abdomen, intestinal sounds like running water, cold and heat accumulation; breaks masses and removes stasis, alleviates fullness, tonifies qi.”
②《吴普本草》: “Treats abdominal pain.”
③《别录》: “Nourishes blood, removes stubborn qi in the heart and abdomen, strengthens the waist and spine; eliminates wind evil and retains heat, long-term use benefits people.”
④ Tao Hongjing: “Soak in wine and drink it to treat wind bi.”
⑤《药性论》: “Treats weak legs, painful bi, and evil qi; treats abdominal pain, gas sounds like roaring.”
⑥《日华子本草》: “Nourishes the spirit and calms the will, unblocks the collaterals. Treats cold and heat labor, joint pain, paralysis of the limbs; promotes pus discharge and alleviates pain; generates flesh and promotes growth; breaks old blood and supplements new blood; calms pregnancy and prevents miscarriage; stops excessive bleeding and regulates women’s menstruation; alleviates heart vexation due to blood evil; treats carbuncles, scabies, goiter, and toxic swellings; headaches, red eyes, heat, mania.”
⑦《滇南本草》: “Nourishes the heart and calms the will. Treats forgetfulness and palpitations, insomnia.”
⑧《纲目》: “Invigorates blood, unblocks the heart collaterals. Treats hernia pain.”
⑨《云南中草药选》: “Invigorates blood and disperses stasis, calms and alleviates pain. Treats irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, rheumatic pain, uterine bleeding, hematemesis, mastitis, and abscesses.”
Dosage and Administration Internal use: decoction, 4.5-9 grams; or in pills or powders. External use: decocted into a paste for application, or decocted for fumigation and washing.
Formulas ① For treating women’s menstrual irregularities, whether early or late, excessive or insufficient, prenatal instability, postpartum blood not discharging: Dan Shen (remove pith) in any amount, ground into powder. Each dose is 6 grams, taken with wine before meals, for menstrual irregularities and cold labor at any time. (《妇人良方》 Dan Shen Powder)
② For treating menstrual irregularities: Zi Dan Shen, 500 grams, sliced thinly, dried in the sun until crisp, ground into fine powder, made into pills with good wine. Each dose is 9 grams, taken with warm water in the morning. (《集验拔萃良方》 Regulating Menstruation Pills)
③ For treating scanty menstrual blood and postpartum blood stasis abdominal pain, amenorrhea abdominal pain: Dan Shen, Yi Mu Cao, and Xiang Fu, each 9 grams. Decoction for oral administration.
④ For treating abdominal masses: Dan Shen, San Ling, E Zhu, each 9 grams, and Zao Jiao Ci, 3 grams. Decoction for oral administration.
⑤ For treating acute and chronic hepatitis, pain in both sides: Yin Chen, 15 grams, Yu Jin, Dan Shen, and Ban Lan Gen, each 9 grams. Decoction for oral administration. (The following formulas are from 《陕甘宁青中草药选》)
⑥ For treating miscarriage with continuous bleeding: Dan Shen, 750 grams, finely sliced, boiled with 5 liters of clear wine, reducing to 3 liters, warm administration of 250 ml, three times a day. (《千金方》)
⑦ For treating abdominal pain of various origins, belonging to half deficiency and half excess: Dan Shen, 30 grams, Bai Zhi, and Sha Ren, each 4.5 grams. Decoction for oral administration. (《医学金针》 Dan Shen Drink)
⑧ For treating pain in the waist and hips radiating to the legs: Du Zhong, 240 grams, Dan Shen, 150 grams, Du Huo, Dang Gui, Xiong Dan, and Gan Di Huang, each 120 grams. Cut the six herbs, place in a silk bag, soak in 40 liters of clear wine for five nights, take 100 ml, twice daily. Avoid Wu Yao. (Zhang Wenzhong)
⑨ For treating neurasthenia: Dan Shen, 15 grams, Wu Wei Zi, 30 grams. Decoction for oral administration. (《陕甘宁青中草药选》)
⑩ For treating children with sweating and wind stroke, body rigidity, and high fever: Dan Shen, 15 grams, mouse droppings, 21 pieces (slightly fried). Grind the herbs into fine powder. Each dose is taken with gruel, adjusted according to the child’s size. (《圣惠方》 Dan Shen Powder)
⑪ For treating breast swelling and pain in women: Dan Shen and Shao Yao, each 60 grams, Bai Zhi, 30 grams. Combine the three herbs, soak in bitter wine overnight, mix with pig fat, and simmer on low heat until a paste forms for application. (《刘涓子鬼遗方》 Dan Shen Paste)
⑫ For treating pain or swelling in the yin area: Dan Shen, 30 grams, Bing Lang, 30 grams, Qing Ju Pi, 15 grams (soaked in soup to remove the white pith, roasted), and Xiang Zi, 15 grams. Grind the herbs into fine powder. Each dose is taken with warm wine, 6 grams. (《圣惠方》 Dan Shen Powder)
⑬ For treating cold hernia, pain in the lower abdomen and yin area, spontaneous sweating: Dan Shen, 15 grams, ground, and ground into fine powder. Each dose is taken with hot wine, 6 grams. (《圣惠方》)
⑭ For treating wind-heat, skin eruptions, and itching: Dan Shen, 120 grams (ground), Ku Shen, 120 grams (sliced), and She Chuang Zi, 90 grams (raw). Boil the herbs in 7.5 liters of water until 2.5 liters remain, strain, and wash while hot. (《圣惠方》 Dan Shen Decoction)
⑮ For treating burns from hot oil, alleviating pain and promoting flesh growth: Dan Shen, 240 grams, chopped, and slightly adjusted with water, take 1 kg of sheep fat, boil three times to apply to the wound. (《肘后方》)
Clinical Applications ① Treatment of chronic hepatitis
Take 10 ml of Danshen injection (equivalent to 20 grams of raw herb), intravenously once a day; additionally, use liver function recovery solution (made from dog liver) 2 ml, intramuscularly twice a day. If there is a tendency to bleed, add 2 ml of Niuxi (Earth Rhubarb) or Zizhu grass injection, intramuscularly twice a day; if it is early-stage cirrhosis of chronic hepatitis, add 2 ml of placental tissue solution, intramuscularly twice a day. Each treatment lasts for 30 days. In treating 9 cases of chronic hepatitis, the results showed recent cures (main symptoms and signs disappeared, liver function returned to normal) in 15 cases, significant effects (symptoms and signs disappeared, liver function significantly improved or returned to normal, and the spleen significantly shrank, but not completely normal) in 3 cases, and ineffective in 2 cases. The improvement of symptoms was best for nausea, followed by fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal distension, and then liver area pain. Among 17 cases of liver enlargement, all returned to normal after treatment; among 4 cases of spleen enlargement, 3 returned to normal after treatment. Liver function recovery was better in cases with abnormal transaminases and other indicators; those with abnormalities in all four indicators had poorer recovery. During the treatment, coagulation time and prothrombin time did not show prolongation, and no bleeding tendency occurred. No adverse reactions or side effects were observed. It is believed that Danshen can improve liver physiological function, promote liver and spleen shrinkage and softening, possibly due to its ability to dilate peripheral blood vessels, reduce portal vein pressure, improve intrahepatic blood circulation, and increase the supply of nutrients and oxygen to liver cells. It is also thought that Danshen can invigorate blood and dispel stasis, which may help eliminate the proliferation of fibrous connective tissue in the liver.
Danshen applied to acute infectious hepatitis showed no significant efficacy; it was believed that while there was some effect on liver shrinkage, the improvement of liver function was not obvious, and symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, dizziness, and liver-spleen pain seemed to worsen in some cases. There are also reports that Danshen combined with Yin Chen, treated 200 cases of acute jaundice-type infectious hepatitis, with an effective rate of 98.5%. Method: Danshen 60 grams, Yin Chen 30 grams, boiled twice with water, mixed the two decoctions, added 15 grams of sugar, and concentrated to 200 ml, with adults taking 60 ml and children 25 ml, both taken twice daily. Children averaged 20 days of medication, while adults took about 33 days.
② Treatment of thromboangiitis obliterans
Dry and finely chop white flower Danshen, soak in 55-degree white wine for 15 days, preparing a 5-10% white flower Danshen wine. Each dose is 20-30 ml, taken three times a day; if the condition is severe, with intense pain, and the patient drinks alcohol, each dose can be 50 ml, taken 2-3 times a day, or take the medicinal wine in one go until intoxicated. In a trial of 34 cases, 8 cases were treated solely with medicinal wine, while the remaining 26 cases used medicinal wine as the main treatment, combined with other Chinese herbs at different stages. The results showed clinical cures in 15 cases, significant improvement in 9 cases, progress in 3 cases, and ineffectiveness in 7 cases. Most patients experienced pain relief and improvement in limb symptoms, with a sensation of warmth in the limbs or a significant feeling of warmth radiating to the distal limbs, and it was also effective for migratory superficial venous inflammation. Most patients experienced no adverse reactions, with a few experiencing skin itching; long-term use may cause stomach pain and reduced appetite, requiring a pause in medication for observation. It is contraindicated in cases of hepatitis, ulcer disease, hypertension, and nephritis.
③ Treatment of late-stage schistosomiasis with liver and spleen enlargement
Collect Danshen roots, dry, slice, and decoct twice, filter, and combine the filtrate to prepare a 30-50% decoction, adding syrup as needed. A total of 41 cases were treated in three groups, with dosages of 0.3-0.5 grams, 0.6-0.9 grams, and 1.0-1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight, taken continuously for 42, 30, and 30 days respectively. The control group had 8 cases, taking 1.5-2 grams of yeast tablets daily. The results showed that Danshen had considerable effects on the size and nature of the liver and spleen. Among 27 patients with liver enlargement, 12 showed shrinkage, 15 became softer, and 12 showed no change; among 41 cases of spleen enlargement, 20 shrank, 22 became softer, and 19 showed no change. The group with the largest dosage and the longest treatment duration showed more significant effects, generally noticeable after 10-15 days of treatment. However, no cases returned to normal size for the liver and spleen. This herb seems to be more effective in cases with shorter disease duration and milder conditions. If combined with a reasonable diet and rest, the efficacy can be improved. Danshen has very low toxicity; doses have been increased to 45 grams daily for 83 days without adverse effects. However, one case with a relatively small dose (30 grams daily) experienced unexplained upper gastrointestinal bleeding on the 9th day; thus, it is advised to avoid use in cases with tendencies for vomiting, blood in stools, hemoptysis, hematuria, or purpura.
④ Treatment of coronary heart disease
Use Danshen extract to make tablets (each tablet contains 0.2 grams of extract) for oral administration, 2 tablets each time, 3 times a day (equivalent to 60 grams of raw herb daily). Each treatment lasts from two weeks to one month. In a study of 323 cases, the duration of medication varied from 1 to 9 months. The results showed a total effective rate of 82.3% for angina pectoris, with a significant effect rate of 20.3%; the efficacy was better for moderate and mild cases; those taking medication for 2 months had better efficacy than those for 1 month. The total effective rate for electrocardiograms was 53.2%, with a significant effect rate of 14.8%; the efficacy for chronic coronary artery ischemic lesions was better than for myocardial infarction lesions, and cases with positive or suspicious positive results in the second-level treadmill test had higher efficacy than those with general electrocardiogram ischemic lesions, with moderate and mild patients showing better efficacy than severe cases. The evaluation of efficacy after stopping medication requires further observation. Most cases showed no significant side effects, with only a few cases showing some impact on peripheral blood counts, gastrointestinal tract, and liver function (SGPT).
Additionally, a compound injection of Danshen and Xiangxiang was prepared (each milliliter contains 1 gram of raw herbs), treating over 300 cases of coronary heart disease angina pectoris, with a symptom effective rate of over 82% and an electrocardiogram effective rate of about 50%. Method: Depending on the severity of the condition, three injection methods were used: (1) Intravenous drip – 4 ml of injection mixed with low molecular dextran or 5% glucose in 500 ml for intravenous drip. Treatment lasts 1-2 weeks. (2) Intramuscular injection – 1-2 times daily, 1 ml each time; treatment lasts 2-4 weeks, with some extending to 4 months. (3) Intravenous push – 1 ml of injection mixed with 20 ml of 50% glucose for injection. All three methods showed efficacy, each with its characteristics. Intravenous push had a quicker effect on angina pectoris but a shorter duration; intravenous drip showed more significant effects than intramuscular injection, with a longer duration, making it a common method in hospital applications; intramuscular injection, while slower in effect, is convenient for use.
Moreover, Danshen injection was used to treat multiple gastric and colonic polyps in one case, achieving good results. Since the patient could not undergo surgical treatment, Danshen injection was tried. Initially, 10 ml was given, mixed with 40 ml of 50% glucose for intravenous push; after several treatments with no reactions, the dosage was increased to 20 ml mixed with 40 ml of 50% glucose for intravenous push, both taken once daily for the first treatment course of 35 times. During the treatment, the patient’s spirit and appetite gradually improved, purulent blood stools decreased, physical strength gradually increased, heart murmurs significantly improved, and edema subsided. After a month of rest, a second treatment course was conducted, and after 18 injections, X-ray examination showed that most gastric polyps had disappeared.
Note Additionally, there are several other plants whose roots are also used as Danshen in some regions:
① Gansu Danshen, with conical roots. Leaves are mostly basal or located at the lower part of the stem, with ten triangular ovate or ovate-lanceolate leaves, with heart-shaped or spear-shaped bases. Used in Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, Yunnan, and Tibet.
② Brown-haired Danshen, with the underside of the leaves densely covered with brown soft hairs. Used in Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, and Yunnan.
③ Dian Danshen, with fleshy, thick, spindle-shaped roots, clustered together. Leaves are basal, either simple or pinnate, with simple leaf blades being ovate or long oval, with slightly heart-shaped bases, wrinkled and slightly hairy on both sides, with rounded teeth on the edges; pinnate leaves have 3-5 leaflets. The umbellate inflorescence has 4-6 flowers, arranged in a loose raceme at the top of the stem; the corolla is blue-purple. Used in Yunnan.
Excerpt from 《中药大辞典》
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