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 alleviate distress. 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 saponins and dan shen caffeic acid.
As a traditional Chinese medicine, Dan Shen can invigorate blood circulation, regulate menstruation, relieve pain, and clear the heart to calm the mind. It is used to treat menstrual irregularities caused by blood stasis, dysmenorrhea, and amenorrhea. Dan Shen enters the heart 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, consuming Dan Shen can be effective. Dark circles arise from microcirculation disorders around the eyes, and Dan Shen can promote smooth 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. This effect may be achieved by improving local blood circulation in the liver, thereby enhancing the internal 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. Assists Sleep
Women often find it difficult to sleep due to household chores and work stress. 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 stomach discomfort due to late nights and irregular eating habits. Consuming Dan Shen in moderation can protect the gastric mucosa and reduce gastric acid damage to it. Therefore, Dan Shen is beneficial for digestive health.
Combining Dan Shen with One Ingredient for Blood Circulation and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
1. Hawthorn
Both Dan Shen and hawthorn 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.
Additionally, Dan Shen has properties that invigorate blood circulation, 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 vessel 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 types of pain caused by blood stasis, such as stomach pain, abdominal pain, and even lower back pain and limb injuries.
3. Red Dates
Combining Dan Shen and red dates (Ziziphus jujuba) in tea has excellent blood-nourishing and calming effects, particularly beneficial for insomnia caused by qi and blood deficiency.
Due to Dan Shen’s slightly cold nature and red dates’ slightly warm nature, their combination often results in a balanced effect that most people can tolerate.
Furthermore, Dan Shen is a protector of the cardiovascular system, significantly improving blood supply to the heart and dilating coronary arteries, thus effectively alleviating ischemia and hypoxia in the heart. It also helps lower blood lipids.
Are There Any Health Risks from Excessive Consumption of Dan Shen?
Excessive consumption of Dan Shen can lead to side effects. As a traditional herb, Dan Shen has blood-invigorating and menstrual-regulating properties, and 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 function damage, presenting as jaundice or urinary difficulties, and back pain. Therefore, it is important to consume Dan Shen in moderation.
Contraindications for Dan Shen Consumption
1. Allergic Individuals
Patients with allergic constitutions may experience allergic reactions when using Dan Shen, leading to symptoms such as generalized 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. Individuals with Bleeding Tendencies
Patients with menstrual periods or bleeding tendencies should avoid Dan Shen, as it has blood-invigorating effects that may increase bleeding.
3. Pregnant Women
Dan Shen has a slightly cold nature and is a blood-invigorating herb. Pregnant women should avoid consuming Dan Shen 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 may have negative effects, threatening their normal growth and development.
5. Individuals with Heart Disease
While Dan Shen can improve overall blood circulation and enhance heart pumping function, many individuals with heart disease require anticoagulant medications. Since Dan Shen has anticoagulant properties, its use may exacerbate bleeding and affect the efficacy of these medications.