Botanical Overview
Salvia miltiorrhiza, commonly known as Danshen, red sage, or Chinese sage, belongs to the family Lamiaceae. The medicinally used part is the root. Native primarily to East Asian regions including China, Korea, and Japan, this plant has been traditionally employed in herbal medicine systems.
Energetics
This herb exhibits cooling and drying energetics with a bitter and acrid taste. Its action is principally descending and relaxing, affecting primarily the blood component in traditional Chinese medicine.
Primary Actions
- Cardioprotective
- Circulatory stimulant
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Vasodilator
Indications
Western
- Angina pectoris
- Myocardial ischemia
- Hypertension
- Claudication
- Stroke rehabilitation
Syndromes
- Cardiovascular insufficiency
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Peripheral vascular disease
TCM
- Palpitations
- Chest pain
- Menstrual irregularities
- Body heat sensations
Syndromes
- Blood stasis
- Heart blood deficiency
- Qi stagnation
- Heat in blood
Ayurveda
No established traditional indications documented.
Unani
No established traditional indications documented.
Constituents & Mechanisms
Main phytochemicals include tanshinones, phenolic acids, diterpenoids, salvianolic acids, and flavonoids, which contribute to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory effects.
Dosage & Preparations
- Decoction: 5-15 g root daily
- Tincture: 1:5 40% ethanol, 2-5 mL 1-3 times daily
- Extract capsules standardized to tanshinones, 100-300 mg daily
Safety & Contraindications
Salvia miltiorrhiza is generally well tolerated. Caution is advised during pregnancy and lactation due to insufficient data. It may increase bleeding risk and should be used cautiously with anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapies.
Astrological Correspondences
No well-documented planetary or elemental rulers identified in credible sources.
Selected References
- Salvia miltiorrhiza root (Danshen) – European Medicines Agency Herbal Monograph (2017)
- Pharmacological effects and pharmacokinetics of tanshinones from Salvia miltiorrhiza – Zhou et al., 2017
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 – Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission
- WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants: Volume 4 – WHO, 2009