Dan Shen丹参
Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma · Red Sage Root · Salvia Root · Danshen
Overview
A deep red root that moves blood without being harsh, and cools the Heart while it moves. Bitter and slightly cold, it is traditionally said to accomplish on its own much of what a four-herb blood formula does — hence its reach across gynecology, chest pain and restless-heat insomnia. The dispensary also stocks Dan Shen, dry-fried so it sits more easily on a weak stomach, and Dan Shen, wine-fried to warm and strengthen the moving action for stasis pain and blocked menstruation.
Nature & Flavor
Bitter · Slightly coldChannels
Heart · Pericardium · LiverTypical Dosage
5–15 g in decoctionActions
4 core actions
- Invigorates blood and regulates mensesDelayed, scanty or painful menstruation with clots, postpartum abdominal pain, and fixed abdominal masses.
- Frees the collaterals, stops stasis painStabbing chest pain of chest painful obstruction, traumatic injury and fixed aching in the limbs and joints.
- Clears Heart heat and quiets the spiritIrritability, palpitations and insomnia when heat disturbs the Heart.
- Cools blood and disperses soresHot, painful swellings and sores where heat has congealed the blood.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Dan Shen
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Dysmenorrhea, irregular menses and clotting from blood stasis
- Chest and cardiac pain of the stasis type
- Insomnia, palpitations and irritability with heat
- Fixed abdominal masses; traumatic stasis pain
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
It moves blood strongly enough to matter clinically: avoid it with active bleeding or heavy menstrual flow, and stop it before surgery. There is a well-established interaction with warfarin, in which Dan Shen increases the anticoagulant effect — anyone on warfarin or another anticoagulant must tell both their doctor and the prescribing practitioner. Classical incompatibility: it is not combined with Li Lu 藜芦.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: Avoid in pregnancy — it invigorates blood.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only
References
- Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.