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Dan Shen (丹參), the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza, invigorates the blood and dispels stasis, cools the blood and reduces abscesses, and clears Heart heat to calm the spirit; widely used for cardiovascular and gynaecological disorders.
Latin / Pharmaceutical Name
Salvia miltiorrhiza (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae)
Common English Name
Red sage root
Taste
Bitter
Temperature
Slightly cold
Channels Entered
Heart, Pericardium, Liver
Actions & Functions
- Invigorates the blood and dispels stasis (a gentle but broad blood-mover)
- Cools the blood and reduces abscesses
- Clears Heart heat and calms the spirit
Indications
Blood stasis with chest and cardiac pain, abdominal masses, dysmenorrhoea and amenorrhoea; restlessness and insomnia from Heart heat; and toxic sores.
Dosage
9-15 g in decoction.
Common Combinations
With Tan Xiang and Sha Ren (Dan Shen Yin) for chest and epigastric blood-stasis pain.
Cautions & Contraindications
Use with caution in pregnancy and in blood deficiency without stasis. Classically incompatible with Li Lu.
