Dan Shen (Salvia Root)

Herb 5 of 34 in Herbs that Invigorate Blood and Remove Stagnation

Channels:

HT, PER, LIV

Properties:

Bitter, Slightly Cold

Latin:

Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae

Chinese:

丹参

Tone Marks:

dān shēn

Translation:

Cinnabar Root

Chinese Herb Actions

• Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis
  For gynecological disorders such as irregular menses, amenorrhea, and post-partum abdominal pain. It is also for chest, epigastric, and abdominal pain as well as traumatic injury. It disperses masses and accumulations.
• Clears Heat and Soothes Irritability
  For restlessness, irritability, palpitations, and insomnia due to heat in the nutritive (Ying) level. Can also be used for Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency patterns.
• Cools Blood and Reduces Abscesses
  Has a potent action to reduce swelling in toxic sores and breast abscesses. It cools the blood to treat symptoms of febrile disorders or the presence of heat in the ying or xue levels with symptoms of delirium, high fever, unconsciousness, irritability, insomnia, purpura or subcutaneous bleeding.
• Nourishes the Blood and Calms the Spirit
  Treats palpitations and insomnia due to heat in the ying and xue levels, heat in the heart and heart blood deficiency.

Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions

• Do not use during pregnancy.
• Do not use in cases with hypermenorrhea, hemoptysis or hematuria.
• Do not use for Yin Xu patients.
• Do not use when a pathogen is in the Qi level
• Do not use during post-partum bleeding
• Do not use for early menses or obstructed menses due to lack of blood
• Do not use for restless fetus due to lack of blood unable to nourish.

Herb-Drug Interactions

• Dan Shen may interfere with Anti-Coagulating drugs.
• Decreases warfarin clearance and increases its bioavailability.

Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose

• Allergic reactions affecting the skin and respiratory system have been reported. Possible side effects include: dry mouth, dizziness, general weakness, numb and swollen feeling in the hands, shortness of breath, anxiety, tachycardia, nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal symptoms. These symptoms gradually disappear, usually without terminating treatment.
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Chinese Herb Dosage

• 6-15 grams in decoction (Bensky)
• 5-10 Grams in decoction, maximum 30 Grams (Chen)

This Herb Appears in the Following Formulas:

• Dan Shen Yin (Salvia Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Invigorate the Blood and Dispel Blood Stasis
• Ding Xian Wan (Arrest Seizures Pill)
  Category: Formulas that Transform Phlegm and Extinguish Wind
• Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan (Fantastically Effective Pill to Invigorate the Collaterals)
  Category: Formulas that Invigorate the Blood in the Treatment of Traumatic Injury
• Qing Ying Tang (Clear the Nutritive Level Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Clear Heat from the Nutritive Level and Cool the Blood
• Sheng Tie Luo Yin (Iron Filings Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Sedate and Calm the Spirit
• Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan (Emperor of Heaven's Special Pill to Tonify the Heart)
  Category: Formulas that Nourish the Heart and Calm the Spirit

• Li Lu (Radix Et Rhizoma Veratri)