The Efficacy and Consumption Methods of Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza)
It is said in ancient texts that Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) is a key herb in the Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction), indicating its importance in gynecology. Dan Shen has effects of regulating menstruation, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. Modern pharmacological studies show that Dan Shen can dilate blood vessels, improve circulatory disorders, has anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, hypoxia-resistant, and anti-tumor effects, and can also calm the mind.
Effects of Dan Shen
1. Calming Effect: Dan Shen has a sedative and analgesic effect on the central nervous system, improving neurotic insomnia.
2. Cardiac Protection: It can dilate coronary arteries, improving myocardial ischemic injury and enhancing hypoxia tolerance.
3. Lipid-Lowering: Danshensu and rosmarinic acid have anti-lipid peroxidation properties, lowering blood lipids and inhibiting atherosclerosis.
4. Anti-Gastric Ulcer: It protects the gastric mucosa and ischemic renal injury.
5. Antibacterial Effect: Dan Shen exhibits antibacterial activity against both sensitive and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus.
6. Improving Learning and Memory: Danshensu has a positive effect on memory impairment in experimental mice.
7. Improving Circulation: It can improve blood rheology, reduce blood viscosity, and inhibit platelet aggregation and coagulation function.
8. Liver Protection: It protects liver cells from damage, promotes liver cell regeneration, and has anti-fibrotic effects.
9. Improving Kidney Function: Dan Shen can enhance kidney function, increasing the excretion of urea, creatinine, sodium, and phosphorus.
Consumption Methods of Dan Shen
1. For blood heat
Used for menstrual irregularities, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, postpartum stasis, and pain in children caused by blood stasis, it can be used alone. For treating abscesses and toxic swellings, it is often combined with Jin Hua (Honeysuckle), Lian Qiao (Forsythia), and Pu Gong Ying (Dandelion). For rheumatic heat bi syndrome with joint redness, swelling, heat, and pain, it should be combined with Chi Shao (Red Peony), Fang Ji (Stephania), and Qin Jiao (Gentiana).
2. For warm diseases
When heat enters the Ying and blood causing irritability and insomnia, it can be combined with Sheng Di (Rehmannia), Xuan Shen (Scrophularia), and Huang Lian (Coptis). If treating Yin deficiency with excessive fire causing irritability, palpitations, and insomnia, it should be combined with He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti), Suan Zao Ren (Sour Jujube Seed), and Mai Dong (Ophiopogon).
3. For dysmenorrhea
Dan Shen 15g, Yu Jin (Curcuma) 6g. Decoction, taken in two doses daily.
4. For acute and chronic hepatitis
Yin Chen (Artemisia) 15g, Yu Jin, Dan Shen, Ban Lan Gen (Isatis) each 9g. Decoction for oral administration.
5. For cerebral thrombosis and stroke
Dan Shen 30g, Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum) 10g, Huang Qi (Astragalus) 20g, San Qi (Notoginseng) 5g, and Shui Zhi (Leech) 5g. Decoction taken warm in the morning, noon, and evening. It has the effect of activating blood circulation, removing stasis, and tonifying Qi, treating cerebral thrombosis and post-stroke sequelae.
6. For thromboangiitis obliterans
Dan Shen, Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle), Chi Shao, Tu Fu Ling (Smilax) each 30g, Dang Gui (Angelica), Chuan Xiong each 15g. Decoction for oral administration.
7. For epigastric pain
Dan Shen 30g, Tan Xiang (Sandalwood) 3g, Sha Ren (Amomum) 3g, decocted for consumption. It has the effect of activating blood circulation, removing stasis, and regulating Qi to relieve pain, treating epigastric pain caused by blood stasis and Qi stagnation.
8. For neurasthenia
Dan Shen 15g, Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra) 30g, decocted for consumption.
9. For coronary heart disease
Dan Shen 6g, soaked in hot water, used as tea.
10. For health maintenance soup
Zi Dan Shen (Purple Salvia), Zhi He Shou Wu (Processed Fo-Ti), Bei Sha Shen (North Ophiopogon) each 15g, decocted to 800ml, taken in three to four doses daily.
Selection and Storage: When selecting Dan Shen, choose those that are dry, thick, red, free of mud, fine roots, and firm. Store Dan Shen in a ventilated and dry place to prevent moisture.
Precautions: Dan Shen should not be consumed with Li Lu (Veratrum), and those with symptoms of continuous bleeding should avoid it. If symptoms such as dizziness, dry mouth, or weakness occur after consumption, the dosage should be reduced.
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Edited by: Yang Juan
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