salvia miltiorrhiza

Salvia miltiorrhiza is a perennial plant in the Lamiaceae family, widely known as Danshen in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been used for centuries to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and hypertension[3][5][8]. The main active components are water-soluble phenolic acids (e.g., salvianolic acid A and B) and lipophilic diterpenoid tanshinones (e.g., tanshinone IIA)[3][5]. Its mechanisms of action include anti-inflammatory effects, antioxidant activity, inhibition of platelet aggregation (antiplatelet), improvement of microcirculation by promoting blood flow and reducing blood stasis[2][3][5]. Salvia miltiorrhiza extract has shown efficacy in clinical trials for improving cardiovascular biomarkers and symptoms. It is not an approved pharmaceutical drug but is available as an over-the-counter supplement or herbal remedy in many regions[4].

Brand names

danshen

Other names

danshenred sageChinese sagetan shensalvia root