Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) is the root of all ginseng varieties, primarily produced in Sichuan and Anhui provinces. It is harvested in autumn, with the stems and leaves removed, washed to eliminate soil, sliced, and dried. Dan Shen has a bitter taste and a cool nature, possessing properties that invigorate blood circulation, reduce swelling, and relieve stagnation. It can be used to treat symptoms such as blood stasis-related amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, postpartum lochia, liver qi stagnation pain, and other related conditions.
In fact, combining Dan Shen with one other ingredient and consistently consuming it may yield unexpected health benefits. Let’s explore this further.
Nutritional Components of Dan Shen
The active components of Dan Shen include Dan Shen ketone, Dan Shen alcohol, and Dan Shen phenol, which are lipid-soluble, as well as water-soluble components like Dan Shen acid and Dan Shen saponins.
As a traditional Chinese medicine, Dan Shen can invigorate blood circulation, alleviate pain, and calm the mind, making it effective for treating menstrual irregularities caused by blood stasis, dysmenorrhea, and amenorrhea. It is associated with the Heart (Xin) meridian and can treat blood stasis-type chest pain and heart discomfort due to insufficient blood or excessive heart fire.
Effects of Dan Shen
1. Invigorates Blood
Once ingested, Dan Shen effectively dilates the coronary arteries, significantly increasing blood flow within them, which can improve conditions such as myocardial ischemia or myocardial infarction.
It also helps regulate heart rate, effectively dilating peripheral blood vessels and enhancing overall blood circulation. Additionally, it can shorten the recovery time of hemoglobin and red blood cells, promoting tissue repair. In cases of fractures, consuming Dan Shen tea can accelerate healing.
2. Reduces Dark Circles
For those suffering from dark circles due to late nights or poor sleep quality, Dan Shen can be effective. Dark circles arise from microcirculation disorders around the eyes, and Dan Shen can promote microcirculation, thus eliminating dark circles. The recommended method is to steep 10 grams of Dan Shen in water and drink it every other day.
3. Liver Protection
Experimental studies indicate that Dan Shen promotes liver regeneration, likely by improving local blood circulation in the liver, thereby enhancing the intrinsic factors that facilitate liver regeneration. Thus, Dan Shen plays a role in the repair of liver damage.
4. Anti-Tumor
Pharmacological experiments have shown that Dan Shen exhibits some inhibitory effects on cancer cell activity, although its specific anti-tumor mechanisms remain unclear.
5. Aids Sleep
Women often experience insomnia due to household chores, work stress, and other factors. Dan Shen has calming properties that can assist in alleviating symptoms of irritability and insomnia, making it beneficial for women seeking better sleep.
6. Promotes Digestion
Women may experience gastric discomfort due to late nights and irregular eating habits. Consuming Dan Shen in moderation can protect the gastric mucosa and reduce gastric acid damage. Therefore, Dan Shen is beneficial for digestive health.
Combining Dan Shen with one other ingredient and consistently consuming it can invigorate blood circulation, dissolve blood clots, and prevent cardiovascular diseases.
1. Hawthorn
Both Dan Shen and Hawthorn (Crataegus) are commonly used in clinical practice and have certain dietary therapeutic effects. Hawthorn is known for its ability to invigorate blood circulation and aid digestion, making it effective for treating qi stagnation and blood stasis.
Moreover, Dan Shen has properties that regulate menstruation, relieve pain, cool the blood, and calm the mind. Regularly consuming Dan Shen and Hawthorn tea can improve blood circulation, delay aging, regulate gastrointestinal function, promote intestinal peristalsis, and enhance immunity against diseases.
Since both Dan Shen and Hawthorn invigorate blood circulation, they can promote cardiovascular blood flow, maintain vascular patency, and reduce vascular resistance. Therefore, Dan Shen and Hawthorn tea can be beneficial for treating coronary heart disease and hypertension.
2. San Qi
Dan Shen is a commonly used herb with blood-invigorating and cooling properties, particularly beneficial for cardiovascular health. San Qi (Panax notoginseng) is a precious herb known for its ability to invigorate blood circulation, reduce swelling, relieve pain, and stop bleeding.
When used together, Dan Shen and San Qi can effectively invigorate blood circulation and are widely used for various conditions caused by blood stasis.
They are primarily used to treat chest tightness and shortness of breath caused by coronary heart disease, as well as angina, myocardial ischemia, cerebrovascular diseases, and strokes. They can also be used for various conditions of blood stasis, such as stomach pain, abdominal pain, and even pain in the lower back and limbs due to blood stasis or trauma.
3. Red Dates
Steeping Dan Shen with Red Dates (Ziziphus jujuba) provides excellent blood-nourishing and calming effects, particularly beneficial for insomnia caused by qi and blood deficiency.
Due to Dan Shen’s slightly cool nature and Red Dates’ slightly warm nature, their combination tends to be more balanced and is generally well-tolerated by most people.
Furthermore, Dan Shen is a powerful protector of the cardiovascular system, effectively improving blood supply to the heart and dilating coronary arteries, significantly alleviating ischemia and hypoxia in the heart. It also helps lower blood lipids.
Is Excessive Consumption of Dan Shen Harmful?
Excessive consumption of Dan Shen can lead to side effects. As a traditional herb, Dan Shen invigorates blood circulation and alleviates pain; however, taking it in large amounts may lead to bleeding tendencies, such as skin purpura, gum bleeding, or increased menstrual flow, along with symptoms like dizziness.
Overconsumption may also irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing nausea, vomiting, or gastrointestinal bleeding, along with symptoms like loss of appetite, thirst, and dry throat. It may also lead to liver and kidney dysfunction, presenting as jaundice or difficulty urinating, along with lower back pain. Therefore, it is important to consume Dan Shen in moderation.
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Contraindications for Dan Shen Consumption
1. Individuals with Allergies
Patients with allergic constitutions may experience allergic reactions when using Dan Shen, leading to symptoms such as widespread skin itching, rashes, and urticaria.
In severe cases, symptoms may include chest tightness, difficulty breathing, chills, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, and even pallor, cold limbs, sweating, hypotension, and fainting. Therefore, it should be avoided.
2. Patients with Bleeding Tendencies
Patients with menstrual periods or bleeding tendencies should avoid Dan Shen, as it has blood-invigorating properties that may increase bleeding.
3. Pregnant Women
Dan Shen has a slightly cool nature and is classified as a blood-invigorating herb. Pregnant women should avoid consuming Dan Shen without medical advice, as it may accelerate blood circulation and stimulate the uterus, potentially increasing the risk of miscarriage.
4. Infants and Young Children
Infants and young children have not fully developed their metabolic functions, and consuming Dan Shen indiscriminately may have negative effects, threatening their normal growth and development.
5. Individuals with Heart Disease
Dan Shen has blood-invigorating and nourishing properties, which can improve overall blood circulation and enhance cardiac function. However, many individuals with heart disease require anticoagulant medications, and Dan Shen’s anticoagulant effects may exacerbate bleeding and interfere with treatment efficacy.