Salvia Root – 1 lb (454 g)

Salvia Root, known in Chinese as 丹参 (Dānshēn) and scientifically as Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, is a valued herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This TCM herb has been traditionally used to support natural wellness, maintain vitality, and encourage holistic balance. At TCMforyou.com, we provide premium-quality Salvia Root carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Salvia Root helps promote overall well-being and supports natural energy, immunity, and balance. Integrating this herb into your wellness routine offers a gentle, time-tested approach to enhancing daily health. Whether brewed as tea, added to herbal remedies, or taken as part of a TCM formula, Salvia Root provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Salvia Root has been used in TCM to harmonize the body and encourage optimal functioning of key systems. At TCMforyou, we prioritize authenticity and quality. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency, delivering an herbal product aligned with traditional practices.

Experience the natural support of Salvia Root, promoting immune health, vitality, and holistic well-being. Embrace the wisdom of TCM and incorporate this gentle, effective herbal remedy into your daily wellness journey.

[Overview] This herb is also known as Purple Danshen, Red Root, Blood-Activating Root, and Red Salvia Root. It is the root and rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge., a member of the Lamiaceae family. It is distributed throughout most regions of China, with main production areas in Sichuan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Henan, and Shanxi provinces. Harvested in spring and autumn, the roots are dug up, residual stems, leaves, and fibrous roots removed, washed clean, and sun-dried.

[Properties] Bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature. Enters the Heart and Liver meridians.

[Actions] Invigorates blood and dispels blood stasis, regulates menstruation and relieves pain, nourishes blood and calms the spirit.

[Applications]
1. Used for irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and postpartum abdominal pain due to blood stasis. For blood stasis causing menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea, and amenorrhea, often combined with Carthamus tinctorius (Honghua), Prunus persica (Taoren), Leonurus japonicus (Yimucao), etc.; if accompanied by cold, may be combined with Evodia rutaecarpa (Wuzhuyu), Cinnamomum cassia (Rougui), Artemisia argyi (Aiye), Foeniculum vulgare (Xiaohuixiang), etc.; if accompanied by deficiency, may be combined with Angelica sinensis (Danggui), Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi), Paeonia lactiflora (Baishao), Rehmannia glutinosa (Shudihuang), etc.; for postpartum abdominal pain due to blood stasis, may be combined with Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuanxiong), Trogopterus dung (Wulingzhi), etc.
2. Used for heart and abdominal pain, abdominal masses. For chest impediment and heart pain, often combined with Ligusticum chuanxiong and Aucklandia lappa (Jiangxiang); for epigastric and abdominal pain due to blood stasis and qi stagnation, may be combined with Cyperus rotundus (Xiangfu), Curcuma aromatica (Yujin), Aucklandia lappa (Muxiang), Amomum villosum (Sharen), etc., as in the formula Danshen Yin; for epigastric pain, may be combined with Santali albi lignum (Tanxiang), Amomum villosum; for chronic blood stasis causing abdominal masses and lumps, may be combined with Sparganium stoloniferum (Sanleng), Curcuma zedoaria (Ezhu), Trionyx sinensis shell (Biejia), Curcuma aromatica (Yujin), etc.
3. Used for painful swelling due to heat bi syndrome and traumatic injuries. For red, swollen, and painful joints due to heat bi, may be combined with Lonicera japonica vine (Rendongteng), Paeonia lactiflora (Chishao), Gentiana macrophylla (Qinjiao), Morus alba twig (Sangzhi), etc.; for traumatic injuries, may be combined with Angelica sinensis, Boswellia carterii (Ruxiang), Commiphora myrrha (Moyao), as in the formula Huoluo Xiaoling Dan.
4. Used for febrile diseases with irritability, palpitations, and insomnia. For heat entering the nutritive and blood levels causing irritability, restlessness, and faint rashes, may be combined with Bubalus bubalis horn (Shuiniujiao), Scrophularia ningpoensis (Xuanshen), Forsythia suspensa (Lianqiao), Lonicera japonica (Yinhua), as in Qingying Tang; for palpitations and insomnia due to heart blood deficiency and internal heat disturbance, often combined with Rehmannia glutinosa (Shengdihuang), Platycladus orientalis seed (Baiziren), Ziziphus jujuba seed (Suanzaoren), etc.
5. Used for carbuncles and furuncles. For treating boils and carbuncles or early-stage mastitis, may be combined with Lonicera japonica, Forsythia suspensa, Taraxacum mongolicum (Pugongying), etc.

[Dosage and Administration] Oral administration: decoction, 9–15 g. For activating blood and resolving stasis, it is preferable to use wine-fried preparations.

[Cautions] Contraindicated in women with excessive menstruation or without blood stasis. Use with caution during pregnancy. Antagonistic to Veratrum species.

[Modern Research]
1. Chemical Constituents: Danshen contains both fat-soluble and water-soluble components. Fat-soluble constituents include Tanshinone I, Dihydrotanshinone I, Tanshinone IIA, Tanshinone IIB, Cryptotanshinone, Dehydrocryptotanshinone, Tanshinone IIB II, Hydroxytanshinone, Hydroxytanshinone IIA, Isotanshinone I, Dihydroisotanshinone I, Isotanshinone II, Isotanshinone IIA, Hidden tanshinone, Isotanshinone hidden, Levorotatory dihydrotanshinone I, etc. Water-soluble constituents include Methyl salvianolate, Ethyl salvianolate, Propyl salvianolate, Protocatechualdehyde, Protocatechuic acid, Rosmarinic acid, Salvianolic acid A, B, C, Salvianol, Isoferulic acid, Danshensu, etc.
2. Pharmacological Effects: Danshen injection, compound Danshen injection (containing 1 g/ml each of Danshen and Aucklandia), Danshensu, Tanshinone, and Protocatechualdehyde can dilate coronary arteries and increase coronary blood flow; Danshen injection can slow heart rate, initially slightly weaken myocardial contractility followed by slight strengthening; Danshen protects myocardium from ischemia and reperfusion injury; decoctions can lower blood pressure; Danshensu inhibits platelet aggregation and release of vasoconstrictive prostaglandins such as TXA2; aqueous decoctions reduce whole blood viscosity and serum, plasma, fibrinogen relative viscosity, and accelerate erythrocyte electrophoresis; Danshen has anticoagulant effects and inhibits thrombosis; multiple phenolic components significantly inhibit lipid peroxidation, reduce serum LPO levels, and scavenge harmful free radicals; markedly reduces hepatic inflammation and necrosis, lowers SGPT, promotes DNA and protein synthesis in hepatocytes, aiding liver regeneration and protein metabolism recovery; significantly lowers serum cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, reduces atherosclerotic lesion area and aortic intimal permeability; also exhibits anticancer, immunomodulatory, and anti-allergic effects; inhibits Staphylococcus aureus, various bacilli, certain fungi, and Leptospira to varying degrees.
3. Clinical Reports:
1) Stroke: Compound Danshen injection (containing 4 g each of Danshen and Aucklandia) added to 2.5% glucose or saline was slowly injected into the carotid artery on the side opposite the paralyzed limb once every other day for 5 treatments. Among 10 cases of cerebral hemorrhage, 19 cases of cerebral thrombosis, and 1 case of cerebral embolism, the total effective rate was 96.7%. [Shanghai Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1987,(1):26]
2) Pulmonary Heart Disease: Patients received anti-infective, expectorant, bronchodilator, oxygen therapy, cardiotonic, diuretics, and nutritional support, plus intravenous drip of 20 ml Danshen in 250 ml 5% glucose once daily; 10 mg Litium intravenously in 250 ml 5% glucose once daily; combined for 7 days as one course. Among 62 cases, 48 had marked effect, 9 effective, 5 ineffective; total effective rate 95%. [Journal of Practical Cardiopulmonary Diseases, 2003,11(6):323]
3) Bronchial Asthma: Danshen tablets (each containing 1 g crude drug), 2–3 tablets per dose, three times daily for 6 months. Among 40 cases, 2 cured, 14 markedly effective, 21 effective; total effective rate 92.5%. [Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1991,(2):41]
4) Hyperlipoproteinemia: Tongmai Ningxin granules (composed of Danshen, Chuanxiong, Pueraria) 10 g, orally three times daily for 5 days per course. Among 30 cases, serum triglycerides and plasma thromboxane B2 significantly decreased; HDL and 6-keto-PGF1α showed no significant increase. [New Drugs and Clinical, 1994,13(1):48]
5) Viral Hepatitis: Danshen injection (1 ml contains 1.5–2 g crude drug) 15–20 ml added to 250 ml 10% glucose, intravenous drip. Among 83 chronic hepatitis cases, 28 cured, 39 markedly effective; total effective rate 80.7%. [Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1985,(1):29]
6) Liver Fibrosis: Danshen injection 250 ml once daily intravenous drip combined with general hepatoprotective drugs. Among 96 cases, symptoms and liver function improved significantly; serum fibrosis markers decreased markedly; efficacy superior to control group using only hepatoprotective drugs. [Chinese Journal of Geriatrics, 2003,23(10):700]
7) Acute Hypertensive Cerebral Hemorrhage: Control group received dehydration, antihypertensive, water-electrolyte balance maintenance, and cerebral metabolism improvement; Danshen group additionally received Danshen injection (10 ml containing 5 g crude drug) starting 6 hours after onset, 10 ml daily, increased to 20 ml daily on day 3, total course 21 days. Among 45 cases, Danshen group showed 77.78% marked effect, control group 57.14%, significant difference. [Guangxi Medical Journal, 2001,26(2):251–252]
8) Diabetic Chronic Polyneuropathy: Danshen injection (1 ml contains 1.5 g crude drug) 10–14 ml added to 20 ml 50% glucose, intravenous push once daily. Among 37 cases, total effective rate 86.5%. [New Chinese Medicine, 1989,(2):23]
9) Insomnia: Danshen 30 g, one dose daily, decocted twice daily morning and evening for 30 days per course. Among 100 cases, 25 cured, 50 markedly effective, 25 effective; total effective rate 100%. [Shanxi Medical Journal, 1988,(6):367]
10) Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: 65 patients randomized into treatment group (35 cases) and control group (30 cases), both receiving similar chemotherapy regimens; treatment group additionally received compound Danshen injection intravenously. Recent total effective rates were 48.57% and 46.67% respectively (P>0.05), but clinical symptom improvement and remission were significantly better in treatment group (P<0.05), with fewer and milder adverse reactions. [Liaoning Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2004,31(1):40]