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Overview: Danshen is a plant called Salvia miltiorrhiza. It is available as an over-the-counter dietary supplement as tablets, capsules, extracts, dried root slices, granules, and teas and in other forms. Danshen is commonly used to support heart or circulation health. People also use danshen for other reasons, such as menstrual problems, general pain or swelling, and cancer, but the benefits of danshen are not well defined. Before using danshen, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you take.

Uses

What is danshen used for?

Danshen (S. miltiorrhiza) is commonly used for heart or circulation problems. It is also sometimes used for menstrual pain or ​​irregularities, general pain or swelling, and various types of cancer, among other uses. However, its benefits are not well defined for any use.

Note: The FDA has not reviewed danshen for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does danshen work (mechanism of action)?

Danshen is a dietary supplement made from the root of the Salvia miltiorrhiza plant. Danshen is also called Dan Shen, Chinese sage, red sage, and other names. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for a long time, mainly for conditions related to the heart and blood circulation.

Danshen root contains two major groups of natural chemicals that are thought to be the main active ingredients: phenolic acids and tanshinones.

Phenolic acids are water-soluble compounds (meaning they dissolve in water), including salvianolic acid A, salvianolic acid B, danshensu (salvianic acid A), and rosmarinic acid. These compounds may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Tanshinones are lipid-soluble compounds (meaning they dissolve in fats), including tanshinone IIA, cryptotanshinone, and dihydrotanshinone. These compounds may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet (“blood thinning”) effects.

Together, these chemicals are thought to help protect blood vessels, reduce inflammation, slow blood clot formation, and protect cells from damage. These effects may explain danshen’s potential benefits for heart and circulation health. However, evidence from human studies is limited, and the benefits are not well defined. It is unclear exactly how or if danshen works for menstrual discomfort, pain, cancer, or any other use. 

Herbal products, such as danshen, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amounts of each chemical in a specific danshen product may vary. Some, none, or all of these chemicals may have effects on the body. These effects may change depending on how much of each chemical is found in the product you are using.

How should I store danshen?

You should store danshen according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of danshen?

Danshen seems to be well tolerated. But there is not enough research to know what the common side effects may be. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

There may be side effects of danshen that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of danshen?

While less common, the most serious side effects of danshen are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Danshen may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using danshen and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when using danshen. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish (also called jaundice)

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use danshen?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use danshen.

  • Chinese sage
  • Danshen 
  • Dan Shen
  • Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae
  • Red sage
  • Salvia miltiorrhiza
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific danshen products they stock.

What should I know about danshen before using it?

Danshen is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep danshen out of the reach of children.

Herbal products, such as danshen, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific danshen product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way the plant was processed after being harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

Some traditional Chinese medicine herbal products have been linked to safety concerns, including contamination, ingredients not listed on the product label, and harmful substances that may cause serious side effects or drug interactions.

The FDA has not tested danshen products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

Some products combine danshen with other herbal ingredients. For example, compound danshen dripping pills (CDDP) also contain Panax notoginseng and borneol. Because of these added ingredients, these products may have side effects or risks that are different from those of danshen alone. Read the product label to understand which ingredients are included.

What should I tell my health care provider before using danshen?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if danshen is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Digoxin Use. Before using danshen, tell your health care provider if you take a medicine called digoxin. Danshen can affect blood tests used to measure digoxin levels and make the results inaccurate. To help prevent problems, tell your health care provider if you take danshen before having blood tests done.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Danshen may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using danshen, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Planned Surgery. Danshen may increase the risk of bleeding. If you have an upcoming surgery or procedure, tell your health care provider that you use danshen. They may tell you to temporarily stop using danshen for a certain amount of time before and after your surgery.

Heart Problems or High Blood Pressure. If you have a heart or blood pressure problem, do not try to treat the condition on your own using danshen or any other supplement. Talk to your health care provider about your treatment options. If you are already taking medicines for heart disease or high blood pressure, check with your health care provider before starting danshen.

Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Bleeding problems
  • Liver problems

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how danshen could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if danshen passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does danshen interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between danshen and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect danshen.

Does danshen interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using danshen.

  • An antiplatelet medicine, such as aspirin/dipyridamole, cilostazol, clopidogrel (Plavix), or ticagrelor (Brilinta), which is a medicine used to prevent blood clots
  • A blood thinner, such as warfarin, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
  • Aspirin, which is in many prescription and OTC products, including those for pain, swelling, and fever
  • A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, which is in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
  • A medicine for high blood pressure
  • A medicine to prevent or treat chest pain

The interactions between danshen and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with danshen is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking danshen with any medicines.

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much danshen?

If you or someone else has used too much danshen, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Danshen is available as tablets, capsules, extracts, dried root slices, granules, and teas and in other forms. Read the product label closely, and check with a health care provider about how to use danshen safely. Do not take double or extra doses to make up for a missed dose.