Products Featuring This Herb:
Young at Heart
Hair and Nails Formulation
Cardiovascular Protector
Ginseng and Zizyphus Combination
Salvia

More Information:

Other Common Names
Salvia

Page Number In Radiant Health
218

Pharmaceutical Latin
Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae

Pinyin
Dan Shen

Treasures
None

Treasure Rating
*

Atmospheric Energy
Cool

Organ Meridian Systems
Heart, Pericardium, Liver

Primary Functions
· Circulation enhancer.
· To dispel heat.
· To remove blood stagnation or blood stasis accompanied by heat.
· Affects the Heart function.
· Treats hot skin diseases.
· Treats menstrual problems.

Qualities
Salvia is not a tonic herb because it does not nourish any of the three treasures. However, it is a very important herb in the tonic health system because of its critical adjunctive role as a circulation enhancer. Salvia has the capacity to activate blood circulation and to dispel blood stasis, or blood congestion. It is used in much the same manner as raw Notoginseng, except that Salvia is a cooling herb which can dispel heat. As a cooling herb, it can be used to treat problems where there is blood stagnation (areas where blood flow is sluggish) or blood stasis (areas where blood flow is entirely blocked or impeded) accompanied by heat, as is the case in heart disease and skin eruptions. Salvia has a bitter taste and affects the Heart function.

It is the perhaps the primary herb now used in Chinese herbalism used to prevent and treat heart disease, including angina pectoris. Salvia can be combined with Ligusticum and Notoginseng to improve circulation in the myocardium, or it can be used alone. It is now believed in China to have preventive action.

It is one of the primary herbs used to treat hot skin diseases, including acne and boils. Such sores are hot (the are inflamed and red) and stagnant. Salvia is used to clear them out and cool the area down. Salvia can be used with Dong Gui, Pearl, White Peony, and Scute to help clear the skin.

It is also extremely valuable for treating menstrual problems, including irregular, absent or painful menstruation. For this purpose it would be combined with some of the following herbs: Dong Gui, Ligusticum, Carthamus, Moutan, Red Peony, Achyranthes and White Peony.