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Salvia Beverage
丹参饮 〔丹參飲〕dān shēn yǐn
Source: Shí Fāng Gē Kuò 时方歌括
Ingredients:
- Dān shēn (丹参 Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, salvia [root]) 9–15g
- Tán xiāng (檀香 Santali Albi Lignum, sandalwood) 3–6g
- Shā rén (砂仁 Amomi Fructus, amomum [fruit]) 3–6g
Action: Quickens the blood and transforms stasis; rectifies qì and relieves pain.
Indication: Blood stasis and qì stagnation with pain in the heart [region] and abdomen. Modern clinical analysis shows that it is effective for coronary disease causing oppression in the chest and shortness of breath.
Category: Blood-rectifying formulas / Blood-quickening stasis-transforming formulas
Method: Decoct with water.
Rationale: Dān shēn, by quickening the blood and transforming stasis, is effective in treating painful blood stasis. Tán xiāng warms the center and rectifies qì, helping to relieve pain in the heart [region] and abdomen. Shā rén moves qì and loosens the center, thereby dispersing the oppression in the chest and center. In clinical practice, this formula can also be used for menstrual pain and rib-side pain due to qì stagnation and blood stasis. Over recent years, it has also been used in the treatment of angina pectoris, usually in combination with Guā lóu xiè bái bái jiǔ tāng (瓜蒌薤白白酒汤 Trichosanthes, Long-Stamen Onion, and White Liquor Decoction)or Zhǐ shí xiè bái guì zhī tāng (枳实薤白桂枝汤 Unripe Bitter Orange, Long-Stamen Onion, and Cinnamon Twig Decoction).
Variations:
Chest pain due toblood stasis andqì stagnation : Add Guā lóu (瓜蒌 Trichosanthis Fructus, trichosanthes [fruit]) and Xiè bái (薤白 Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus, long-stamen onion [bulb]).- Severe
pain in the stomach duct : Add Yán hú suǒ (延胡索 Corydalis Rhizoma, corydalis [rhizome]) and Bái sháo (白芍 Paeoniae Radix Alba, white peony [root]). Abdominal pain : Add Xiāng fù (香附 Cyperi Rhizoma, cyperus [rhizome]) and Wǔ líng zhī (五灵脂 Trogopteri Faeces, squirrel's droppings).