Dan shen (red sage)
Salvia miltiorrhiza · 丹参
Herbs & Roots. Chinese Medicine.
Also called Danshen, Chinese red sage root
Pinyin: Dān Shēn
Can raise bleeding riskA Chinese root used mainly to support blood flow and to ease chest pain from heart disease.
Did you know? The root's red color comes from fat-soluble compounds called tanshinones, which is where the name red sage comes from.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Heart health. Chinese trials of danshen products, often mixed with other herbs, report less chest pain in people with heart disease. Trials are small and quality varies.Early proof
- Women's health. Used for painful periods in Chinese medicine. Human trials are lacking.Traditional proof
- Inflammation. Lab and animal studies show anti-inflammatory effects. Human proof is missing.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Heart & vessels, Hormones & reproduction, Immune system, Joints
Traditional use
In Chinese medicine, dan shen is used to move blood and ease pain. Practitioners use it for chest pain, painful periods, and blood that seems stuck.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Circulatory, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory. Energy: cooling.
- Chinese medicine
- 丹参 Invigorate blood. Nature: cool. Flavour: bitter. Enters the Heart, Pericardium and Liver channels.
How people take it
Traditional decoctions often use about 9 to 15 grams of dried root. Standardized capsules and tablets are common in studies.
Decoction, capsule and powder.
Where to get it
Grown in China and sold as dried root pieces, powder, capsules, and tablets. Many products mix it with other herbs, so read the label.
Be careful
Side effects are usually mild, such as upset stomach. Its main risk is bleeding, especially with warfarin, aspirin, or other blood thinners. Avoid in pregnancy and before surgery.
Avoid if: pregnancy; bleeding disorders; before surgery.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Both move blood and ease pain, and they are often paired for chest pain from blood stasis.
- Works well together
Danshen and notoginseng are combined in Fufang Danshen products, a common Chinese heart remedy.
- Works well together
Both move blood, and they are often paired for chest pain from blood stasis.
- Use cautionBlood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, daily aspirin)
May add to bleeding risk with warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel.
Adds up with others that may slow blood clotting: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 40 more.
The honest take
Dan shen is studied in China for heart pain, mostly in mixed products and small trials. The results look promising, but they are not strong enough to call proven. Products vary a lot in quality, so do not use it in place of heart medicines.