dan shen

丹参·Radix et Rhizoma Salviae Miltiorrhizae

Dan Shen

About dan shen

Dan Shen (丹参) is the root of red-rooted sage, a plant of the mint family, recorded as Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae. It is bitter in flavour and slightly cold, and enters the Heart, Pericardium, Lung, Liver and Spleen channels — more channels than most herbs in the collection. The catalogue files it among the herbs that invigorate the Blood.

Names

Pinyindan shen
Chinese丹参·丹參
Latin NameRadix et Rhizoma Salviae Miltiorrhizae·Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae·Salvia Miltiorrhiza
English NameDan Shen·danshen root·Salvia Root
Japanesetanjin
Koreandansam·danshen

Classification

Category
Invigorate the Blood
Channels
Lung, Spleen, Heart, Pericardium, Liver
Flavour
Bitter
Temperature
Slightly Cold
Family
Labiatae
Species
salvia miltiorrhiza
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Invigorates Blood and dispels stasis

  • Blood stasis in the Lower Jiao, a key use in gynecology: irregular or absent periods and abdominal pain after childbirth
  • Blood stasis obstructing the chest, with pain there or in the epigastrium or abdomen
  • Pain in the flanks and hypochondrium from Liver Qi stagnation with Blood stasis
  • Traumatic injury
  • Masses and accumulations

Clears Heat and relieves irritability

  • Heat that has reached the Ying level, with restlessness, irritability, palpitations and insomnia
  • Yin deficiency of the Heart and Kidneys

Cools the Blood and reduces abscesses

  • Toxic sores and early breast abscess, as a supporting herb
  • Febrile disease with Heat in the Blood: high fever, delirium or loss of consciousness, irritability, insomnia, and purpura or bleeding under the skin

Nourishes Blood and calms the Spirit

  • Palpitations and insomnia from Heat in the Heart or at the Ying and Blood levels
  • Heart Blood deficiency

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 3-15g; 15-30g = large dose; 30- 60g for phlebitis or when used alone3-15 g————

Cautions

Interactions

Drug interactions