In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there is a highly utilized herb known as Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza).
Danshen, also known as Chishen (赤参), or Mountain Ginseng, is the dried root of the perennial herb from the Lamiaceae family, characterized by its red skin and purple flesh, and is commonly referred to as Purple Danshen. It is one of the most frequently used herbs for invigorating blood and resolving stasis in clinical practice.
Danshen has been documented in the Shennong Bencao Jing (Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica), classified as a superior herb. Regarding its efficacy, the Fu Ren Ming Li Lun (The Theory of Women’s Clarity) states:
“With Danshen alone, it possesses the functions of four herbs,
nourishing blood and generating blood, comparable to (Dang) Gui and (Di) Huang;
regulating blood and restraining bleeding, as effective as Shao Yao;
dispelling stasis and generating new, superior to Chuan Xiong;
for women’s ailments, whether before or after childbirth, it can be used regularly.”
It is evident that Danshen significantly benefits blood-related conditions.
There is a formulation used to alleviate symptoms of coronary heart disease called “Fang Dan Shen Di Wan” (Compound Danshen Dripping Pills), which many people may have heard of. It primarily utilizes Danshen’s dual function of invigorating and cooling the blood, making it a widely used representative Chinese patent medicine in clinical practice.
Ancient texts contain numerous references to Danshen, including the Wushen Pill (五参丸) in the Qianjin Yifang (Thousand Gold’s Prescriptions) which combines Danshen, Ren Shen (Ginseng), Sha Shen (Glehnia), Ku Shen (Sophora), and Xuan Shen (Scrophularia) to treat heart deficiency heat, nausea, and poor appetite;
and the “Danshen Decoction” (丹参饮) in the Yizong Jinjian (Golden Mirror of Medicine) which consists of Danshen, Sandalwood, and Cardamom to address blood stasis causing stomach pain and abdominal pain.
Danshen has a bitter taste, a slightly cold nature, and enters the Heart and Liver meridians. It has the effects of invigorating blood, resolving stasis, regulating menstruation, alleviating pain, clearing the heart, relieving irritability, and cooling blood to reduce abscesses.
Clinical Efficacy of Danshen
01. Vasodilation, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases
Danshen has the ability to dilate blood vessels (especially strong in dilating coronary arteries), inhibit platelet aggregation, prevent thrombosis, improve microcirculation, resist hypoxia, and ameliorate ischemic damage to the heart and brain. It can improve the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and cerebral infarction, alleviate patient symptoms, and prevent further disease progression. Additionally, Danshen has the effect of regulating blood lipids and resisting atherosclerosis.
Moreover, Danshen‘s calcium channel blocking effect can lower blood pressure, providing certain efficacy in improving hypertension.
Thus, it serves a health-promoting role for individuals with or at risk of hypertension and cardiovascular symptoms, being an economical and effective herbal material.02. Scavenging free radicals, anti-aging
Danshen exhibits strong antioxidant properties and the ability to scavenge free radicals, greatly benefiting the delay of aging. The effective components of Danshen, such as Danshen ketone II A, Danshen phenolic acid, and Vitamin E, are all effective antioxidants that inhibit monoamine oxidase, a reactive substance associated with aging.
03. Regulating immunity, improving bodily functions
Danshen also has the function of regulating immune function and enhancing the body’s tolerance to hypoxia. Regular use can provide calming and sedative effects, protect the kidneys, safeguard gastric mucosa, and lower blood sugar.
04. Anti-inflammatory, liver protection
Danshen can combat inflammation, protect liver cells from damage, and promote liver cell regeneration, effectively improving liver inflammatory responses, tissue necrosis, and fibrosis, thus providing certain protective effects on the liver.
Precautions for Taking Danshen:
Due to the cold nature of Danshen and its primary function of invigorating blood and resolving stasis, there are certain contraindications for its use.
First, individuals with poor coagulation function should avoid using Danshen, as it has blood-invigorating properties.
Second, individuals with allergic constitutions should refrain from using Danshen, as allergic reactions can have severe consequences.
Third, pregnant women should not use Danshen, as it may lead to miscarriage.
Additionally, Danshen should not be taken simultaneously with Li Lu (Veratrum) and is not recommended for those with excessive menstruation (specific advice should be followed as per medical guidance).
Image and text editing/layout by Yan Xiaofang (images sourced from the internet; please notify for any copyright issues).
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