Dān Shēn (丹参) — Red Sage Root (Danshen)
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Key formulas
- Modern research
- Incompatibilities
- Cautions and contraindications
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Dān Shēn (丹参) — Salvia miltiorrhiza — is known in English as Red sage root / Danshen. It belongs to the category of Herbs that invigorate Blood in the Chinese Materia Medica and is one of the most important and widely prescribed herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is used in Chinese herbal medicine both as a component of classical herbal formulas and as a significant individual herb in tailored prescriptions.
I prescribe Dān Shēn as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan — independently tested to the highest international quality and safety standards. Herbs are never prescribed individually outside a properly balanced formula; they are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Dān Shēn |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 丹参 |
| Latin name | Salvia miltiorrhiza |
| English name | Red sage root / Danshen |
| Nature | Slightly cold |
| Flavour | Bitter |
| Channels entered | Heart, Pericardium, Liver |
| Category | Herbs that invigorate Blood |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Invigorates Blood and dispels Blood stasis
- Clears Heat from the Heart and cools the Blood
- Nourishes the Blood and calms the spirit
- Reduces abdominal masses
- Clears Heat and soothes irritability
Indications
- Blood stasis patterns — chest pain, angina, fixed abdominal pain and masses
- Dysmenorrhoea and irregular menstruation from Blood stasis
- Heat entering the Heart with insomnia, restlessness and palpitations
- Thin endometrial lining from Blood stasis obstructing uterine circulation
- Fibroids, endometriosis and pelvic adhesions
- Liver disease with elevated enzymes and hepatic fibrosis
- Cardiovascular disease — atherosclerosis and post-myocardial infarction
4. Key formulas containing Dān Shēn
Dān Shēn is an ingredient in many classical formulas. The following are among the most important:
See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 88 classical formulas.
5. Modern research
Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan Shen) is one of the most extensively researched Chinese medicinal herbs in cardiovascular and reproductive medicine. Key bioactive constituents include tanshinones (tanshinone I, IIA, cryptotanshinone) and salvianolic acids (salvianolic acid A, B). Research confirms potent antiplatelet, vasodilatory, hepatoprotective, anti-fibrotic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Tanshinone IIA has specific evidence for improving uterine blood flow and endometrial thickness — directly supporting its use in thin endometrial lining. Salvianolic acid B inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation and fibrosis. Clinical trials have confirmed benefit in cardiovascular disease, hepatic fibrosis, dysmenorrhoea and chronic kidney disease.
6. Incompatibilities
The classical Ming-dynasty texts Shi Ba Fan (Eighteen Antagonisms) and Shi Jiu Wei (Nineteen Mutual Inhibitions) record herb pairs that should not be combined. Modern practitioners treat these as strong cautions rather than absolute contraindications — classical training avoids the combinations except in carefully supervised low-dose protocols.
Dān Shēn (丹参) Red Sage Root (Danshen) should not normally be combined with:
- Li Lu — per the Shi Ba Fan
7. Cautions and contraindications
Use with caution alongside anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel) due to additive effects. Avoid during pregnancy. Contraindicated without Blood stasis signs. Not for Qi and Blood deficiency patterns without a stasis component.
Pattern contraindications
Contraindicated in pregnancy — Blood-invigorating herbs can stimulate uterine contraction and threaten the pregnancy. Use cautiously in patients with heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding disorders or recent surgery.
Modern drug interactions
Significant interactions: Dan Shen has documented anti-platelet and anticoagulant activity. It potentiates warfarin and can raise INR significantly, increasing bleeding risk. Discontinue at least one week before planned surgery. Discuss with your GP before combining with warfarin, DOACs (apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, dabigatran), aspirin, clopidogrel, NSAIDs or any other antiplatelet/anticoagulant medication.
Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe or self-administer Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM and the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience.
8. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Dān Shēn as part of tailored herbal formulas for a range of conditions including Thin endometrial lining, Fibroids, Endometriosis, High blood pressure, Fatty liver. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment and adjusted throughout treatment as the pattern responds.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available for patients throughout the UK and internationally, with herbs dispensed by post. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.
Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. After a full video consultation, Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto formulates a bespoke herbal prescription and posts your Chinese herbs directly to your door.
