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Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) Be aware that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and dietary supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products containing or claiming to contain danshen. Decisions to use herbs or supplements should be carefully considered. Individuals using prescription drugs should discuss taking herbs or supplements with their pharmacist or health care provider before starting.
Scientists have studied danshen for the following health problems: Cardiovascular disease, angina, high cholesterol | A small number of studies suggest that danshen may provide benefits for treating disorders of the heart and blood vessels, including chest pain, heart attacks, ischemic stroke and myocarditis. Danshen is frequently used for these problems in combination with other herbs. There is only limited research in humans specifically evaluating danshen in the treatment of these diseases. In addition, these studies have been small, with flaws in their designs. The results of different studies have disagreed with each other. Therefore, it is unclear whether there is any benefit from danshen for these conditions.
Danshen may have effects on blood clotting and may therefore be unsafe when combined with other drugs in patients with cardiovascular disease. Patients should check with a doctor and pharmacist before combining danshen with prescription drugs. | Ischemic stroke | The existing danshen studies are of poor quality. When comparing danshen with other medicines, research does not support the notion that danshen may be beneficial to disability improvement after acute ischemic stroke. | Liver disease (cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B, fibrosis) | Some studies suggest that danshen may provide benefits for treating liver diseases such as cirrhosis, fibrosis, and chronic hepatitis B. Danshen is frequently used for these problems in combination with other herbs. Although early research in humans suggests a possible reduction in liver fibrosis in people with cirrhosis and some benefits in chronic hepatitis, these studies have been small, with flaws in their designs. Therefore, it is unclear whether there is any benefit from danshen for these conditions. | Asthmatic bronchitis | A small amount of research in humans suggests that danshen may improve breathing and lessen cough and wheeze in patients with chronic asthmatic bronchitis. Further studies are needed to compare danshen with other common treatments for this condition. | Glaucoma | Danshen has been proposed as possible glaucoma therapy, but further studies are needed in humans. Danshen should not be used in place of more proven therapies. A qualified eye care specialist should evaluate patients with glaucoma. | Burn healing | Although animal studies suggest that danshen may speed healing of burns and wounds, there are no studies in humans evaluating this claim. | Increased rate of peritoneal dialysis | One study suggests that danshen may speed peritoneal dialysis and ultrafiltration rates when added to dialysate solution. Although this evidence seems promising, it is not known whether danshen is safe for this use. Further research is necessary. |
Danshen has been suggested for many other uses, based on tradition or on scientific theories. However, these uses have not been thoroughly studied in humans, and there is limited scientific evidence about safety or effectiveness. Some of these suggested uses are for conditions that are potentially very serious and even life-threatening. You should consult a health care provider before taking danshen for any unproven use. Acne
Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack)
Anoxic brain injury
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-oxidant
Antiphospholipid syndrome
Antithrombosis
Antitumor
Antiviral
Anxiety
Bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis
Blood clotting disorders
Bruising
Cancer
Cardiovascular health
Cataracts
Chemotherapy drug resistance
Circulation
Clogged arteries
Congenital heart disease
Diabetes
Diabetic foot
Diabetic nerve pain
Ectopic pregnancy
Eczema
External humeral epicondylitis
Gastric ulcers
Gentamicin toxicity | Hearing loss
Heart palpitations
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
HIV
Hypercoagulability
Immunomodulatory effects
Intrauterine growth retardation
Kidney disease or failure
Left ventricular hypertrophy
Leukemia
Liver cancer
Lung fibrosis
Menstrual problems
Myocardial reperfusion injury
Organ preservation
Preeclampsia
Pregnancy-induced hypertension (high blood pressure)
Psoriasis
Pulmonary hypertension
Radiation-induced lung damage
Restlessness
Sleep difficulties
Stimulation of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) release
Stomach ulcers
Wound healing |
Allergies People with known allergy should avoid danshen. Danshen is often found in combination with other herbs in various formulations, so be sure to read product labels carefully. Signs of allergy may include rash, itching or shortness of breath. Side Effects Some people may experience stomach discomfort, including less of an appetite. It is possible that danshen may cause itching or lower blood pressure. Danshen may also increase the risk of bleeding. If you use anticoagulants (blood thinners) or antiplatelet drugs and are considering using danshen, discuss this with your health care provider. Dosing adjustments may be necessary. It may be necessary to stop taking danshen before some surgeries. In theory, a chemical found in danshen called miltirone may increase drowsiness. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery. Convulsions, mental changes, and dystonia syndrome may occur. Pregnancy And Breast-Feeding Danshen cannot be recommended during pregnancy and breast-feeding because of the risk of bleeding and miscarriage.
Interactions with drugs, supplements and other herbs have not been thoroughly studied. The interactions listed below have been reported in scientific publications. If you are taking prescription drugs, speak with your health care provider or pharmacist before using herbs or dietary supplements. Interactions With Drugs Danshen may increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulants (blood thinners) or antiplatelet drugs. This herb is reported to inhibit platelet aggregation and cause overanticoagulation (excessive blood-thinning effects) in patients taking warfarin (Coumadin). Other examples of drugs that may also increase the risk of bleeding include heparin and clopidogrel (Plavix). Some pain relievers may also increase the risk of bleeding if used with danshen. Examples include aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox). In theory, a chemical found in danshen called miltirone may increase sleepiness or other side effects associated with some drugs taken for anxiety, such as lorazepam (Ativan) or alprazolam (Xanax). Danshen may increase drowsiness caused by alcohol. Danshen may cause blood pressure to fall too low if used with drugs that also lower blood pressure, such as captopril (Capoten) or propranolol (Inderal). Additionally, use of danshen with drugs such as propranolol (Inderal) could produce an additive blood pressure-lowering effect and cause the heart to beat too slowly. In theory, the side effects associated with digoxin (Lanoxin) may be increased if digoxin is taken with danshen. Danshen may cause laboratory measurements of digoxin blood levels to be inaccurate (too high or too low). Based on animal studies, danshen may affect the absorption of alcohol in the blood. Interactions With Herbs And Dietary Supplements Danshen may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with products such as Ginkgo biloba and garlic ( Allium sativum). There may be an increased tendency to experience adverse effects on the heart if danshen is used with herbs such as oleander ( Nerium oleander). Danshen should be used carefully with supplements that lower blood pressure, such as hawthorn ( Crataegus oxyacantha). Danshen may slow the rate of heartbeats. Therefore, it is best to use danshen carefully when taking herbs such as oleander ( Nerium oleander) that may also slow the heart. Increased sleepiness may be experienced if danshen is used with other herbs such as valerian and kava.
The doses listed below are based on scientific research, publications or traditional use. Because most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly studied or monitored, safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients even within the same brand. Combination products often contain small amounts of each ingredient and may not be effective. Appropriate dosing should be discussed with a health care provider before starting therapy; always read the recommendations on a product?s label. The dosing for unproven uses should be approached cautiously, because scientific information is limited in these areas. There are no standard or well-studied doses of danshen, and many different doses are used traditionally. Danshen is frequently used in combination with other herbs. Adults (Aged 18 Or Older) By mouth: Oral dosing has not been studied in well-conducted trials in humans, and therefore no specific dose can be recommended. By injection: Danshen injections have been used for the treatment of ischemic stroke, but safety and effectiveness have not been established, and this route of administration cannot be recommended at this time. Children (Younger Than 18) There are not enough scientific data to recommend the safe use of danshen in children, and danshen should be avoided because of potentially serious side effects.
Although danshen has been suggested as a treatment for many illnesses, there is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of danshen for any medical condition. Danshen is frequently used in combination with other herbs. Danshen may increase the risk of bleeding and should be used cautiously with anticoagulants (blood thinners) and some anti-inflammatory drugs. It should be avoided in pregnant or breast-feeding women and in children. Consult your health care provider immediately if you have any side effects. The information in this monograph was prepared by the professional staff at Natural Standard, based on thorough systematic review of scientific evidence. The material was reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School with final editing approved by Natural Standard.
- Natural Standard: An organization that produces scientifically based reviews of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) topics
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): A division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services dedicated to research
Selected Scientific Studies: Danshen Natural Standard reviewed more than 240 articles to prepare the professional monograph from which this version was created. Some of the more recent studies are listed below: - Chan K, Chui SH, Wong DY, et al. Protective effects of Danshensu from the aqueous extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) against homocysteine-induced endothelial dysfunction. Life Sci 2004;75(26):3157-3171.
- Chan TY. Interaction between warfarin and danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza). Ann Pharmacother 2001;35(4):501-504.
- Cheng TO. Warfarin danshen interaction. Ann Thorac Surg 1999;67(3):894.
- Mashour NH, Lin GI, Frishman WH. Herbal medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular disease: clinical considerations. Arch Intern Med 1998;158(20):2225-2234.
- Liu GY. Analysis of effect of composite danshen droplet pills in treatment of chronic stable angina. Hubei J Trad Chin Med 1997;19(2):33-34.
- Liu Z, Gao Sy, Deng J, et al. Analysis of effect of composite danshen droplet pills in treatment of chronic stable angina. Chin Trad Pat Med 1997;19(7):20-21.
- Sha Q, Cheng HZ, Xie XY. Salviae miltiorrhizae composita pill for treating 47 cases of active liver cirrhosis. Chin J Integ Trad West Med Liver Dis 1999;9(6):50.
- Song L. Fifty cases of external humeral epicondylitis treated by moxibustion and point-injection. J Tradit Chin Med 2004;24(3):194-195.
- Sze FK, Yeung FF, Wong E, Lau J. Does danshen improve disability after acute ischaemic stroke? Acta Neurol Scand 2005;111(2):118-125.
- Vacca G, Colombo G, Brunetti G, et al. Reducing effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza extracts on alcohol intake: influence of vehicle. Phytother Res 2003;17(5):537-541.
- Wang XP, Yang RM. Movement disorders possibly induced by traditional chinese herbs. Eur Neurol 2003;50(3):153-159.
- Wojcikowski K, Johnson DW, Gobe G. Medicinal herbal extracts: renal friend or foe? Part two: herbal extracts with potential renal benefits. Nephrology (Carlton) 2004;9(6):400-405.
- Wong CK, Tse PS, Wong EL, et al. Immunomodulatory effects of yun zhi and danshen capsules in health subjects: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Int Immunopharmacol 2004;4(2):201-211.
- Wu B, Liu M, Zhang S. Dan Shen agents for acute ischaemic stroke. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2004;(4):CD004295.
- Xia Z, Gu J, Ansley DM, et al. Antioxidant therapy with Salvia miltiorrhiza decreases plasma endothelin-1 and thromboxane B2 after cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with congenital heart disease. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2003;126(5):1404-1410.
Last updated June 30, 2005
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