Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix ET Rhizoma
Aliases：Xichancao、Chishen、Muyangru、Zhuma、Benmacao、Shanshen、Zidanshen
Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) is a Chinese medicinal herb used primarily to invigorate blood and regulate menstruation. It consists of the dried root and rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. (family Lamiaceae).
Efficacy & Actions
This product has the actions of activating blood and eliminating stasis, unblocking the meridians and relieving pain, clearing the Heart and relieving vexation, and cooling the Blood and dispersing abscesses.
Indications
It is indicated for chest impediment and heart pain, epigastric, abdominal and hypochondriac pain, aggregation and accumulation (abdominal masses), painful heat impediment, vexation and insomnia, menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea, as well as sores, ulcers, swelling and pain.
Modern Pharmacology
This product has pharmacological effects such as improving blood rheology, improving microcirculation, anticoagulation, anti-myocardial ischemia, anti-cerebral ischemia, anti-liver fibrosis, and anti-tumor, among others.
Ingredients
This product mainly contains lipophilic and hydrophilic components. The lipophilic components include tanshinone I, tanshinone IIA, tanshinone IIB, tanshinone III, cryptotanshinone, hydroxytanshinone, methyl tanshinonate, przewaquinone A, przewaquinone B, neotanshinone, tanshinol I, tanshinol II, tanshinol III, tanshinphenol, tanshinaldehyde, etc. The hydrophilic components mainly contain danshensu (salvianic acid A), salvianic acids A, B, C, protocatechuic acid, protocatechualdehyde, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Internal use: 10–15 g in decoction.
Contraindications
1. Incompatibility with other Chinese medicinals Antagonistic: Incompatible with Veratrum nigrum (Lilu). 2. Incompatibility with Western medications (1) Should not be used concurrently with aluminum hydroxide or cytochrome C injection, as they may form complexes and affect absorption. (2) Danshen may promote the metastasis of malignant tumors and therefore should not be used together with chemotherapeutic agents such as cyclophosphamide, fluorouracil, and cytarabine. (3) When used concurrently with antacids, Danshen may form chelates, thereby reducing its bioavailability and therapeutic effect. (4) Danshen should not be used together with atropine, as atropine may block the hypotensive effect of Danshen. (5) When Danshen injection is mixed with vitamin C, an oxidation-reduction reaction may occur, leading to a reduction or loss of the effects of both agents. (6) When used concurrently with anticoagulants, sedatives, or anesthetics (Western medications), the dosage of Danshen should be reduced. 3. Dietary incompatibilities During the course of medication, avoid vinegar and acidic foods.
Selected Formulas
1.For blood heat with blood stasis pattern: Combined with Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), and Leonuri Herba (Yimucao), as in Ningkun Zhibao Dan (Weisheng Hongbao). 2.For cold coagulation with blood stasis pattern: Combined with Evodiae Fructus (Wuzhuyu) and Cinnamomi Cortex (Rougui). 3.For chest impediment and heart pain, as well as epigastric and abdominal pain due to blood vessel stasis obstruction: Combined with Amomi Fructus (Sharen) and Santali Albi Lignum (Tanxiang), as in Danshen Yin (Yixue Jinzhen). 4.For abdominal masses (aggregation and accumulation): May be combined with Sparganii Rhizoma (Sanleng), Curcumae Rhizoma (Ezhu), and Trionycis Carapax (Biejia). 5.For traumatic injury with blood stasis and pain in the limbs: Often combined with Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Olibanum (Ruxiang), and Myrrha (Moyao), as in Huoluo Xiaoling Dan (Yixue Zhongzhong Canxilu). 6.For rheumatic bi (painful obstruction) syndrome: May be combined with Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng) and Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (Qinjiao) – wind-dispelling dampness-eliminating herbs. 7.For sores, carbuncles, and toxic swellings due to heat toxin with stasis obstruction: Often combined with herbs that clear heat and resolve toxin. 8.For early-stage acute mastitis (breast abscess): May be combined with Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua) and Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao), as in Xiaoru Tang (Yixue Zhongzhong Canxilu). 9.For vexation and insomnia, or even loss of consciousness (spirit昏迷), due to warm disease (heat pathogen) entering the Heart nutrient level (Ying level): May be combined with Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdi), Scrophulariae Radix (Yuanxuan), Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), and Lophatheri Herba (Zhu ye). 10.For insomnia and palpitations due to blood failing to nourish the Heart: Often combined with Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdi), Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (Suanzaoren), and Platycladi Semen (Baiziren), as in Tianwang Buxin Dan (Shesheng Mibu).
Daily Consumption
1. Danshen Tea Ingredients: 6 g Danshen (or 5–10 g sliced Danshen). Preparation: Place the appropriate amount of Danshen slices in a cup, steep in boiling water, cover, and let infuse for 10–15 minutes before drinking. Action: Invigorate blood and resolve stasis. Usage: Consume as a tea substitute, 1–2 times per day. 2. Hawthorn and Danshen Drink Ingredients: 10 g hawthorn (seeds removed), 6 g Danshen, an appropriate amount of rock sugar (not for diabetics). Preparation: Soak Danshen in water for 2–4 hours in advance. Remove the seeds from the hawthorn. Place both ingredients in a health pot or teapot, add water, bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer for about 15–20 minutes. Strain the decoction and add rock sugar to taste. Actions: Invigorate blood and resolve stasis; aid digestion; lower blood lipids. Usage: 1–2 times per day, warm. 3. Heart-Caring and Heart-Nourishing Tea Ingredients: 5–10 g Danshen, 10–15 g hawthorn, 2–3 red dates. Preparation: Rinse all ingredients, add water, and decoct into a soup. Drink as a tea substitute. Actions: Invigorate blood and resolve stasis; nourish the heart and calm the mind. 4. Danshen Congee Ingredients: An appropriate amount of Danshen, polished round-grained rice (Japonica rice), rock sugar. Preparation: Rinse the Danshen, decoct it in water, then remove the residue and keep the liquid. Use this liquid to cook congee with the rice. Finally, add rock sugar to taste. Action: Enrich blood and calm the mind – suitable for those with insomnia, excessive dreaming, and palpitations. 5. Danshen Stewed Chicken Ingredients: An appropriate amount of chicken, Danshen, red dates, goji berries, etc. Preparation: Wash the Danshen, red dates, and goji berries, then place them inside the chicken cavity. Add water, ginger slices, cooking wine, and other seasonings. Stew until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. Actions: Supplement qi and enrich blood; strengthen the body. 6. Hawthorn, Danshen, and Jue Ming Zi Drink Ingredients: 10 g hawthorn, 20 g Danshen, 30 g Jue Ming Zi (Cassiae Semen). Preparation: Remove the seeds from the hawthorn and slice it. Place the hawthorn, Danshen, and Jue Ming Zi in a cup, steep in boiling water, cover, and let infuse for 15 minutes (or boil in a health pot for 15 minutes). Actions: Aid digestion, promote bowel movement, remove stasis, lower blood lipids. Usage: Consume the entire amount on the same day; can be taken every other day. 7. Danshen and Soybean Soup Ingredients: An appropriate amount of Danshen, 50 g soybeans, an appropriate amount of honey. Preparation: Rinse the Danshen and place it in a clay pot. Soak the soybeans in cold water for 1 hour. Add water and cook until the soybeans are soft and tender. Remove the Danshen, then add honey to taste. Actions: Tonify deficiency, nourish the liver, invigorate blood and resolve stasis. Suitable for: People with chronic hepatitis or hepatosplenomegaly as a nourishing and regulating remedy. 8. General Tips for Adding Danshen to Soups Recommended dosage of Danshen slices in soups: 6–10 g. Soak them for 20 minutes beforehand. Add them when the other ingredients are about 70% cooked, then simmer over medium‑low heat for another 20–30 minutes. If using Danshen powder, add it 10 minutes before the soup is finished. Danshen has a bitter taste and a slightly cold nature. For those with spleen‑stomach deficiency‑cold, it is advisable to pair it with ginger and red dates to moderate its property. 9. Dosage and Usage Recommendations For infusion (tea): 6–10 g (about 5–8 slices) of Danshen slices per serving, which can be steeped 2–3 times; or 3–5 g of Danshen powder per serving, steeped once. For daily regulation: Long‑term consumption is recommended at 5–8 g per day, not exceeding 10 g, to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort. For first‑time users or those with weak constitution: Start with a smaller dose.
Medicinal Parts
Radix
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container. For wine-processed Danshen and vinegar-processed Danshen, keep in airtight containers and store in a cool, dry place. For Danshen processed with pig blood and Danshen processed with soft‑shell turtle blood, store in a lime jar (lime container). For Danshen Charcoal, spread it out to cool and dissipate heat to prevent re‑ignition. General Danshen: Store in a dry container. Wine-processed Danshen (Jiu Danshen) and Vinegar-processed Danshen (Cu Danshen): Keep in airtight containers and store in a cool, dry place. Danshen processed with pig blood (Zhuxue Danshen) and Danshen processed with soft-shell turtle blood (Biexue Danshen): Store in a lime container (lime jar) to maintain dryness. Danshen Charcoal (Danshen Tan): Spread out to cool and dissipate heat to prevent re-ignition.