Danshen is an herb. People use the root to make medicine.
Contents
Uses
- Circulation problems
- “Brain attack” (stroke)
- Chest pain (angina pectoris)
- Diseases of the heart and blood vessels
- Menstrual disorders
- Chronic liver disease
- Trouble sleeping caused by complaints such as rapid heartbeat and tight chest
- Acne
- Psoriasis
- Eczema
- It is also used to relieve bruising and to aid in wound healing.
Benefits
- Danshen appears to thin the blood by preventing platelet and blood clotting. It also causes blood vessels to widen, and this can improve circulation.
Cautions
- Danshen is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth by most people. It can cause some side effects, including itching, upset stomach, and reduced appetite.
- There is some concern that it might also cause drowsiness, dizziness, and a blood condition called thrombocytopenia. But there isn’t enough information to know for sure if danshen causes these side effects.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking danshen if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
- Bleeding disorders: There is a concern that danshen might increase the risk of bleeding. If you have a bleeding disorder, don’t use it.
- Low blood pressure: Danshen might lower blood pressure. In theory, taking danshen might make blood pressure become too low in people with low blood pressure.
- Surgery: Danshen might slow blood clotting, so there is a concern that it might increase the risk of extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using danshen at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Major Interaction Do not take this combination
- Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with DANSHEN: Digoxin (Lanoxin) helps the heart beat more strongly. Danshen also seems to affect the heart. Taking danshen along with digoxin can increase the effects of digoxin and increase the risk of side effects. Do not take danshen if you are taking digoxin (Lanoxin) without talking to your healthcare professional.
- Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with DANSHEN: Danshen might slow blood clotting. Taking danshen along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
- Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
- Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with DANSHEN: Warfarin (Coumadin) is used to slow blood clotting. Danshen might increase how long warfarin (Coumadin) is in the body, and increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin (Coumadin) might need to be changed.
Other Names
Ch’ih Shen, Chinese Red Sage, Chinese Salvia, Dan Shen, Dan-Shen, Huang Ken, Pin-Ma Ts’ao, Racine de Salvia, Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Radix Salvie Miltiorrhiae, Red Rooted Sage, Red Sage, Sage Miltiorrhiza, Salvia bowelyana, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Salvia przewalskii, Salvia Przewalskii Mandarinorum, Salvia Root, Salvia yunnanensis, Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Sauge Rouge, Sauge Rouge Chinoise, Shu-Wei Ts’ao, Tan Seng, Tan-Shen, Tzu Tan-Ken.
References
Source: WebMD, “Danshen”, www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/