---
title: "Dan Shen"
url: "https://books.drcassone.com/21/traditional-medicines-of-east-asia/454/dan-shen"
---

 ![dan shen, sal viae miltiorrhizae radix.jpg](/u/dan-shen-sal-viae-miltiorrhizae-radix-JK4cHk.jpg) 

# Dan Shen

### Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix

_bitter, slightly cold_

#### PRIMARY FUNCTION:

_**Circulate Blood**_

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:
- Shen disturbance
 - Restlessness
 - Irascibility
 - Palpitations
 - Insomnia
- Sores
- Breast abscess
- Blood deficiency

Dan Shen is bitter and slightly cold. It enters the liver,
pericardium, and heart systems. It has a blood nourishing effect
while at the same time moves the blood.

Dan Shen is often used in coronary artery disease and is used for
many gynecological disorders. Dan Shen can also treat heart and
kidney yin deficiency patterns. Its relationship to the heart system
allows it to treat disorders related to shen.

**Channels:** heart, pericardium, liver

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL
POSSIBILITIES:
- Skin sores
- CAD
- Angina
- Amenorrhea
- Dysmenorrhea
- Infertility
- Headache
- Arthritis
- Stroke
- Hypertension
- Physical trauma
- Mastitis
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- Analgesia
- Enlargement of liver
- Antitumor
- Cough
- Antimicrobial
- Dyslipidemia
- Low back pain
- Thyroid dysregulation

**Formulas:**
- Dan Shen Yin
- Dang Gui Ji Xue Teng Tang
- Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan
- Jing Qian Fang
- Qing Ying Tang
- Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
- Yi Yin Jian

**Contraindications:** do not prescribe Dan Shen to patients
that are pregnant, do not combine Dan Shen with Li Lu

**Zoo Image:** an upset roadrunner in a straight jacket that is tight around his
abdomen is standing in hot blood in holes the shape of kidneys and a heart
while a bat flies by

[Cassone Wellness](https://www.cassonewellness.com)