✵The article records the herb Danshen Root, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, and its botanical sources—as defined in classical herbal works—comprising ten plant species: (1) Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, (2) Salvia przewalskii Maxim., (3) Salvia bowleyana Dunn, (4) Salvia przewalskii Maxim. var. mandarinorum (Diels) Stib., (5) Salvia yunnanensis C. H. Wright, (6) Salvia kiaometiensis Lévl. f. pubescens Stib., (7) Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge var. alba C. Y. Wu et H. W. Li, (8) Salvia digitaloides Diels, (9) Salvia trijuga Diels, and (10) Salvia plectranthoides Griff. It provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these ten species; the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb Danshen Root; its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (Danshen Root)
Pinyin Name: Dān Shēn
English Name: Danshen Root
Latin Name:Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae Property and Flavor: Slightly cold in nature; bitter in taste
Brief Introduction:Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae is the dried root and rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. It is used (1) to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis—for treating dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, abdominal masses due to blood stasis, ischemic stroke, and coronary heart disease; (2) to clear heat from the blood—for treating boils and sores; and (3) to calm the mind—for treating palpitations and insomnia. The herb is commonly known as Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Danshen Root, Dan-Shen Root, Dān Shēn, or Chinese Red Sage Root.
Botanical Source: Classical herbal works define Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (Dan Shen) as the dried root and rhizome of species within the genus Salvia (family Lamiaceae, order Lamiales), primarily (1) Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and (2) Salvia przewalskii Maxim. Additional species accepted regionally or historically include (3) Salvia bowleyana Dunn, (4) Salvia przewalskii Maxim. var. mandarinorum (Diels) Stib., (5) Salvia yunnanensis C. H. Wright, (6) Salvia kiaometiensis Lévl. f. pubescens Stib., (7) Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge var. alba C. Y. Wu et H. W. Li, (8) Salvia digitaloides Diels, (9) Salvia trijuga Diels, and (10) Salvia plectranthoides Griff. Among these, Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge is the principal and officially recognized source according to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Some classical works accept both (1) Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and (2) Salvia przewalskii Maxim as authentic sources, while others designate species beyond (1) and (2) as regional substitutes or, in certain contexts, adulterants. The two primary species and the eight additional usable species are described below:
(1) Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge
Botanical Description:Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge is a perennial herb of the family Lamiaceae (formerly Labiatae, mint family) and genus Salvia. It is commonly known as Dan Shen (“red ginseng”) or Hong Gen (“red root”). It grows 30–100 cm tall. The entire plant is densely covered with pale yellow, pilose and glandular hairs. Stems are quadrangular, grooved, and branched in the upper portion. Leaves are opposite and imparipinnate; petioles measure 1–7 cm in length; leaflets typically number five (rarely three or seven), with the terminal leaflet largest and lateral leaflets smaller. Leaflet blades are ovate to broadly ovate, 2–7 cm long and 0.8–5 cm wide; the apex is acute or acuminate; the base is obliquely rounded or broadly cuneate; the margin is crenate; both surfaces are densely covered with white pilose hairs.
Verticillasters form apical or axillary racemes, with 3–10 flowers in each floral whorl; flowers on the lower part are spaced apart, whereas those on the upper part are dense. Flower bracts are lanceolate: the upper surface is glabrous, and the lower surface is slightly pilose. The calyx is nearly campanulate and purple. The corolla is bilabiate, royal purple (bluish violet), 2–2.7 cm long; the upper lip is erect, sickle-shaped, with a slightly cleft apex; the lower lip is shorter than the upper lip and 3-lobed at the apex, the central lobe being longer and broader than the lateral lobes. There are two fertile stamens, which arise from and insert near the middle of the lower lip and extend beyond the corolla; two staminodes are linear and grow on either side of the throat of the upper lip; their anthers are degenerate and petaloid. The anterior portion of the floral disc is slightly enlarged. The ovary is superior and deeply 4-lobed; the style is slender and elongated; the stigma is 2-lobed, with lobes unequal in size.
Nutlets are oblong, turning brown or black at maturity, about 3.2 mm long and 1.5 mm in diameter, and enveloped by a persistent calyx. Flowering occurs from May to September, and fruiting from August to October.
Ecological Environment:Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge grows on hillsides and mountain slopes, in forest meadows or along ditches, at altitudes of 120–1,300 m above sea level.
Growth Characteristics:Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge prefers a warm and moist climate, is cold-tolerant, and exhibits strong adaptability. For cultivation, a sunny site with deep soil, medium-fertility sandy loam, and good drainage is recommended.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is thick and robust, sometimes bearing a residual reddish-violet or taupe stem base at the apex. One to several roots are present; the surface is brick-red or reddish-brown, long-cylindrical, straight or curved, occasionally branched and bearing root hairs; length is 10–20 cm, diameter is 0.2–1 cm. Longitudinal wrinkles and fibrous-root scars mark the surface, which is coarse and rough. In older roots, the cork bark is taupe (dust-colored) or tan (chocolate brown) and often exfoliates in scales, exposing the reddish-brown new cork; sometimes the bark fissures, revealing the white xylem (wood). The herb is firm and hard, brittle, with an uneven, horny or fibrous fracture surface. The cambium ring is conspicuous; the xylem is yellowish-white, with tracheids arranged radially. The herb has a slight fragrance and tastes mild, slightly bitter, and astringent.
Cultivated roots are stout, 0.5–1.5 cm in diameter. The surface is reddish-brown with longitudinal wrinkles; the cortex adheres tightly and is not easily peeled off. The texture is solid, and the fracture surface is flat and slightly horny.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) dilates coronary and peripheral blood vessels, increases coronary blood flow, slows heart rate, and reduces myocardial ischemic injury; (2) promotes fibrinolysis and exerts anticoagulant effects; (3) alleviates carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic tissue damage and promotes hepatocyte regeneration; (4) modulates both humoral and cellular immunity.
Medicinal Efficacy: Promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis; regulates menstruation and alleviates pain; clears heart-fire and calms restlessness; nourishes the blood and tranquilizes the mind; resolves abscesses (apocenosis); cools the blood and eliminates carbuncles. It is indicated for chest obstruction and chest pain, angina pectoris, hypochondriac and abdominal pain, abdominal pain due to blood stasis, pyretic arthralgia (arthralgia due to heat-toxicity), joint pain, abdominal masses, lumps, heat entering the Ying level, dysphoria (agitation, restlessness, irritability), insomnia and emotional upset, palpitations with anxiety and insomnia, menoxenia (irregular menstruation), dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), amenorrhea, metrorrhagia (excessive uterine bleeding) and morbid leukorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain due to stasis, malignant sores, toxic swellings, carbuncles, ulcers with swelling and pain, and traumatic injuries.
Administration of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (Dān Shēn):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (Dān Shēn)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 10–15 grams; (2) Internally: water decoction, 1.5–3 qián (≈4.5–9 grams), or prepared as pills or powder; external use: ointment for topical application, or fumigation and wash with decoction; (3) Internally: water decoction, 5–15 grams; higher doses up to 30 g may be used under professional guidance.
Contraindications, Precautions, and Adverse Reactions: Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae should not be combined with Veratrum nigrum (black false hellebore), saline solutions, or vinegar. It should be avoided during pregnancy unless clinically necessary.
(2) Salvia przewalskii Maxim.
Botanical Description:Salvia przewalskii Maxim. is a perennial herb of the Lamiaceae family (formerly Labiatae) and the genus Salvia. It is commonly known as Przewalsk’s sage root, Radix Salviae Przewalskii, Ganxi sage, Ganxi salvia, Gān Xī Shǔ Wěi Cǎo, or Gānsù Dānshēn. Plants grow up to 60 cm tall. Roots are stout, straight, conical, and often twisted or braided; the outer bark is reddish-brown; root length is 15–40 cm. Stems are erect, branched from the base, and densely pubescent. Leaves are simple, basal or cauline, all with long petioles; cauline leaves are opposite; leaf blades are triangular or elliptic-hastate, with an acute apex and cordate or truncate base; margins bear triangular or semicircular teeth; the upper surface is green and hirtellous; the lower surface is densely covered with ash-gray (grayish-white) tomentum.
Two to four verticillasters form racemes; bracts are ovate (egg-shaped) or elliptic; the calyx is campanulate (bell-shaped), externally densely covered with long glandular hairs, and bilabiate; the corolla is bilabiate, prunus-colored (violet-red), sparsely pubescent externally, with inconspicuous annular trichomes located 3–5 mm above the base on the inner surface; two fertile stamens arise from the anterior part of the corolla tube throat, filaments are flattened and longer than the septum; two staminodes arise from the posterior part of the corolla tube throat; the ovary is deeply 4-lobed; the style is slightly exserted beyond the corolla, with an apically shallowly and unequally 2-lobed stigma.
Four nutlets, obovoid, taupe (dust-colored). Flowering occurs from May to August.
Ecological Environment:Salvia przewalskii Maxim. grows on forest margins, roadsides, and shrublands along ditches, at altitudes of 2,100–4,050 m.
Growth Characteristics:Salvia przewalskii Maxim. prefers warm and moist climates, is cold-tolerant, and highly adaptable. For cultivation, a sunny site with deep, well-drained, medium-fertility sandy loam soil is recommended.
Characteristics of the Herb: The root head is short and thick or tufted, bearing two to several erect, slender, elongated stem bases. Rhizomes are 0.5–1 cm in diameter and 1–4 cm long, bearing taupe (grayish-brown) residual stem bases and scale leaves, and covered with ash-gray (grayish-white) tomentum. The taproot is prominent, reddish-brown, conical, typically unbranched (rarely bifurcated or branched only in the lower portion), 0.3–5 cm in diameter and 15–40 cm long, straight or curved; root hairs are sparse. Thicker roots are frequently twisted, one to several being cord-like and distorted, with numerous longitudinal grooves; the taupe-colored old cork often exfoliates in scales or strips, exposing the reddish-brown new cork, which appears withered and loosely adherent. The texture of the main root is hard and brittle, fracturing easily; the fracture surface is uneven, revealing numerous yellowish-white punctate vascular bundles, with dead cork tissue surrounding the vascular bundle groups. Fine roots (radicels) are firm and hard; the cork layer is reddish-brown; the cortex is ash-gray (grayish-white) or tan (chocolate brown); the cambium ring is conspicuous; and the xylem is taupe (dust-colored or grayish-brown).
(3) Salvia bowleyana Dunn.
Botanical Description:Salvia bowleyana Dunn is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (formerly Labiatae, the mint family) in the genus Salvia. It is commonly known as Bowley Sage Root, Nan Dan Shen, or South Dan Shen. A perennial herb, it grows up to about 1 meter tall; its roots are hypertrophic, and their surface is red. The stem is stout, obtusely quadrangular, grooved, and covered with downward-directed pilose hairs.
Leaves are pinnately compound and opposite; petioles are 4–6 cm long and pilose; leaf blades are 10–20 cm long, with 5–7 leaflets; the terminal leaflet is ovoid-lanceolate, 4–7.5 cm long and 2–4.5 cm wide, with an acuminate or caudate-acuminate apex and a rounded, shallowly cordate, or slightly oblique base; margins are crenate. The veins on both surfaces are slightly viscous, while the rest of the lamina is glabrous. There are 5–6 pairs of lateral veins; the midrib is conspicuously sunken on the adaxial surface and prominent on the abaxial surface; the upper surface is green, the lower surface is pale green; lateral leaflets are smaller and obliquely based.
Eight or more verticillasters form apical racemes or racemose panicles, 14–30 cm long; the calyx is fistulose (tubular), bilabiate, with the upper lip broadly triangular and the lower lip smaller, triangular, lobed or toothed; the corolla is lilac, purple to royal purple (bluish-violet); the corolla tube is about 10 mm long, exserted beyond the calyx; the limb is bilabiate—the upper lip is slightly falcate, the lower lip is slightly shorter and rectangular, 3-lobed, with the middle lobe largest and obcordate; the style is exserted, with an unequally 2-lobed apex.
Nutlets are elliptic, ~3 mm in diameter, brown, and pilose at the apex. Flowering occurs from March to July.
Ecological Environment:Salvia bowleyana Dunn grows in mountains, valleys, along watersides and roadsides, and in woodlands, at altitudes of 30–960 m above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is thick and short, with a residual stem base at the upper end. Several roots are present—cylindrical, slightly curved, 5–20 cm long, and 2–8 mm in diameter; the surface is taupe-brown or pinkish-gray. The texture is firm and hard, brittle, with an uneven, subcoriaceous fracture surface. The herb has a slight odor and a slightly bitter taste.
(4) Salvia przewalskii Maxim. var. mandarinorum (Diels) Stib.
Botanical Description:Salvia przewalskii Maxim. var. mandarinorum (Diels) Stib. is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (formerly Labiatae, the mint family) in the genus Salvia. It is commonly known as Brown Hairy Salvia, Hè Máo Dān Shēn (Brown Hairy Salvia), or Hè Máo Gān Xī Shǔ Wěi Cǎo (Brown Hairy Salvia przewalskii Maxim.).
Salvia przewalskii Maxim. var. mandarinorum (Diels) Stib. is a variety of Salvia przewalskii Maxim. It is a perennial herb growing up to 60 cm tall. Leaf blades are triangular or truncate-ovate, rarely cordate-ovate. Two to four verticillasters form racemes; the corolla is prunus-colored (violet-red). Flowering occurs from July to September. The plant prefers full sun, is cold-tolerant, and moderately drought-resistant.
The main distinguishing feature between Salvia przewalskii Maxim. var. mandarinorum (Diels) Stib. and the typical variety Salvia przewalskii Maxim. is that, when dried, the abaxial surface of the leaves is covered with yellowish or sandy-beige indumentum.
Ecological Environment:Salvia przewalskii Maxim. var. mandarinorum (Diels) Stib. grows at forest edges, in shrublands, along ditches and roadsides, at altitudes of 2,100–4,500 m above sea level.
(5) Salvia yunnanensis C. H. Wright
Botanical Description:Salvia yunnanensis C. H. Wright is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (formerly Labiatae, the mint family) in the genus Salvia. It is commonly known as Yunnan Salvia, Yunnan Shǔ Wěi Cǎo (Yunnan Sage), or Bēn Mǎ Cǎo. A perennial herb, it grows up to about 30 cm tall. Rhizomes are short; tuberous roots are usually 2–3, scarlet, fusiform (spindle-shaped), 3–5 cm long and 3–6 mm in diameter. Stems are erect, obtusely quadrangular, grooved, and densely covered with white tomentum.
Leaves are usually basal; cauline leaves, if present, occur in 1–2 pairs. Basal leaves are simple or trifid, petiolate; petioles are pilose and 2.5–10 cm long; the lamina is oblong-elliptic, 2–8 cm long and 1.5–3.5 cm wide, with an obtuse or rounded apex, cordate to rounded base, and crenate margin; texture is rigidly chartaceous (papery); the adaxial surface is green, the abaxial surface is purplish; both surfaces are densely or sparsely pilose, rarely becoming glabrous; the lamina is often finely wrinkled. In trifid leaves, the terminal lobe is largest—ovoid or elliptic—and equal to or smaller than the simple leaf blade; lateral lobes (or lateral leaflets) are ovoid, otherwise resembling the simple leaf in morphology. Cauline leaves have short petioles; the lamina is lanceolate, narrowly ovate, or narrowly elliptic—usually smaller than basal leaves—and otherwise identical in traits to basal leaves.
Verticillasters bear 4–6 flowers, spaced apart, forming an apical false raceme; the inflorescence axis is covered with glandular hairs or pilose indumentum. The calyx is campanulate (bell-shaped), 7–9 mm long, externally pilose, bilabiate—the upper lip is triangular, the lower lip is 2-lobed. The corolla is bluish-violet, 2.5–3 cm long; the central lobe of the lower lip is obcordate. Filaments are ~3 mm long; the septum is 6–10 mm long; the upper arm is approximately twice the length of the lower arm; the anther cell of the lower arm is degenerate and connate at the anterior end.
Nutlets are elliptic, blackish-brown, and glabrous. Flowering occurs from April to August.
Ecological Environment:Salvia yunnanensis C. H. Wright grows in meadows, at forest edges, in open forests, and in dry woodlands, at altitudes of 1,800–2,900 m above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is stout and short, with a coarse, rough surface bearing dense leaf scars, a residual stem base, and petiole bases. Roots are fusiform (spindle-shaped), one to several, clustered or inserted unilaterally on the rhizome, 5–18 cm long and 2–7 mm in diameter—occasionally up to 1 cm in diameter; rootlet branches typically taper distally. The surface is brick-red or reddish dark brown, with longitudinal wrinkles and visible fibrous root scars. The cork bark of older roots is taupe (dust-colored or grayish-brown) or tan (chocolate brown), exfoliating scaly, revealing reddish-brown new cork; some cortical regions are fissured, exposing white xylem. The texture is firm and hard, brittle, with an uneven fracture surface that is subcoriaceous or fibrous. The phellem (cork layer) is brick-red, the cortex is taupe (grayish-brown), the cambium is conspicuous, the xylem is yellowish-white, with visible radial vascular bundles. The herb has a slight fragrance, a mild, slightly bitter, and astringent taste.
(6) Salvia kiaometiensis Lévl. f. pubescens Stib.
Botanical Description:Salvia kiaometiensis Lévl. is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (formerly Labiatae, the mint family) in the genus Salvia. It is commonly known as Salvia kiaometiensis, Buckwheat-field Salvia, Qiáomàidì Shǔ Wěi Cǎo (Buckwheat-field Sage), or Tǔ Dān Shēn. A perennial herb, it grows 20–50 cm tall. Stems are quadrangular (4-angled), sulcate, and covered with tawny (yellowish-brown) pilosity. The taproot is elongated and strap-like, up to 40 cm long and 2.5 cm in diameter; it is twisted, woody, and reveals redness when the outer cortex is peeled off. Leaves are opposite; petioles are 9–21 cm long and pilose; leaf blades are ovate (egg-shaped), 4–15 cm long and 2–10 cm wide, with an acute apex, cordate base, and crenate margin; texture is thinly chartaceous (papery); both surfaces bear tawny (yellowish-brown) glandular dots.
Verticillasters bear 2–4 flowers per whorl, forming apical racemes or racemose panicles. Involucral bracts are broadly ovate, entire, with marginal setae; pedicels (flower stalks) are ~3 mm long. The calyx is narrowly campaniform (bell-shaped), bilabiate; the cleft of the lip is less than one-third the calyx length; the upper and lower lips are nearly equal in length. The corolla is puce (purplish-brown) or red; the corolla tube is terete (cylindrical); the limb is bilabiate. Fertile stamens extend to the upper lip; filaments are flattened. The style and the upper lip of the corolla are subequal in length; the stigma is 2-lobed.
Nutlets are darkish brown, obovoid, with a rounded apex and longitudinal stripes on the dorsal surface. Flowering occurs from May to November; fruiting occurs in November.
Ecological Environment:Salvia kiaometiensis Lévl. grows in wild habitats, meadows (grasslands), and on hillsides or mountain slopes.
(7) Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge var. alba C. Y. Wu et H. W. Li
Botanical Description:Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge var. alba C. Y. Wu et H. W. Li is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (formerly Labiatae, the mint family) in the genus Salvia. It is also known as Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge f. alba C. Y. Wu et H. W. Li. It is commonly known as White-flower Salvia or Bái Huā Dān Shēn (White-flower Salvia). A perennial herb, it has hypertrophic roots with a red surface. Stems are 40–80 cm tall and villous. Leaves are pinnately compound; leaflets occur in 1–3 pairs, ovate (egg-shaped) or elliptic-ovate, and both surfaces are pilose.
Flowers are white, arranged in cymes that form apical racemes; the inflorescence axis is densely covered with glandular hairs or villous indumentum. Floral bracts are lanceolate. The calyx is white, 11-veined, ~11 mm long, externally glandular-pilose, bilabiate—the upper lip is broadly triangular, the lower lip is 2-toothed, triangular or nearly semicircular. The corolla is white, 2–2.7 cm long; the corolla tube bears pilose rings; the upper lip is falcate (sickle-shaped); the lower lip is shorter than the upper lip, 3-lobed, with the middle lobe largest. Stamens are inserted at the base of the lower lip.
Nutlets are black and ovoid. Flowering occurs from April to June; fruiting occurs from July to August.
Ecological Environment:Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge var. alba C. Y. Wu et H. W. Li grows in wild habitats, meadows, grasslands, and on hillsides or mountain slopes.
(8) Salvia digitaloides Diels.
Botanical Description:Salvia digitaloides Diels is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (formerly Labiatae, the mint family) in the genus Salvia. It is commonly known as Salvia digitaloides, White-backed Salvia, Digitaloides Sage, Bái Bèi Dān Shēn (White-backed Salvia), Yín Zǐ Dān Shēn (Silver-seed Salvia), or Máo Dì Huáng Shǔ Wěi Cǎo (Hairy Ground-yellow Sage). A perennial, erect herb, it grows 30–60 cm tall. The stem is erect and densely pilose. Leaves consist of basal and cauline leaves, opposite; petioles of basal leaves are 6–8 cm long; cauline leaves have short petioles or are sessile; leaf blades are oblong-ovate, 3.5–11 cm long and 2–5 cm wide, with an obtuse or rounded apex, rounded base, crenate margin, and crêpe-paper-like texture; the adaxial surface is green and sparsely pubescent; the abaxial surface is slightly wrinkled and densely covered with white, short tomentum.
Verticillasters bear 4–6 flowers per whorl; 3–8 whorls form apical racemes. Floral bracts are obovate or ovoid and pilose. Pedicels (flower stalks) are 3–4 mm long. The calyx is campanulate (bell-shaped) and bilabiate—the lower lip is slightly larger than the upper lip. The corolla is yellow, with lilac spots; the corolla tube is exserted beyond the calyx; the limb is bilabiate—the upper lip oblong, the lower lip is larger, with the central lobe obcordate. The fertile stamens are exserted beyond the corolla; filaments are flattened. The style is elongated, exserted well beyond the corolla, with an unequally 2-lobed apex. The ovary is 4-lobed; each lobe is ovoid.
Nutlets are grayish-black, obovate, with ridges on the ventral surface and a smooth surface. Flowering occurs from April to June.
Ecological Environment:Salvia digitaloides Diels grows in mountain pine forests, on degraded hillsides, and in meadows, at altitudes of 2,500–3,600 m above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The root is conical, 5–25 cm long and 1–3 cm in diameter, with a red surface. The texture is loose and crisp. The herb has a mild odor and a slightly bitter, astringent taste.
(9) Salvia trijuga Diels.
Botanical Description:Salvia trijuga Diels is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (Labiatae, mint family) and the Salvia genus. It is commonly known as Salvia trijuga, Triple-leaf Salvia, Sān Yè Shǔ Wěi Cǎo (meaning “Three-leaf Salvia”), Clover Sage, and San Dui Ye Dan Shen. A perennial herb, it grows up to 30–60 cm tall. The root is hypertrophied, vermilion (scarlet), 3–10 cm long. Stems are villous. The plant bears both simple leaves and trifoliolate compound leaves; leaves on the lower part are usually trifoliolate, with petioles 5–7 cm long; the upper surface of the leaves is covered with dense, adnate bristles, while the lower surface is sparsely pilose along the veins.
Verticillasters bear two flowers, are spaced apart (remote), and form terminal racemes or racemose panicles; the calyx is campanulate (bell-shaped), externally covered with glandular pubescence, internally lined with slightly stiff, appressed hairs, and bilabiate; the corolla is royal purple (bluish violet) with yellow spots, glabrate on the exterior and bearing a ring of hairs on the interior; filaments are about 5 mm long, the septum is about 8 mm long and curved into an arc shape, with the upper and lower arms nearly equal in length—or the upper arm is slightly longer.
Nutlets are oblong, dull brown, and glabrous. Its flowering period is from July to September.
Ecological Environment:Salvia trijuga Diels grows on hillsides and mountain slopes, in valleys, along ditch sides, in shrublands, forests, or meadows, at altitudes of 1,900–3,900 meters above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: A residual stem base persists at the apex of the rhizome. One to several roots are slender, cylindrical or curved, highly branched, 0.5–4 mm in diameter; the surface is vermilion and bears longitudinal ridges. The herb is firm and hard in texture, brittle and easily broken; the fracture surface is uneven, corneous or fibrous; the cork layer (phellem) is vermilion, the cortex is taupe (dusty gray or grayish brown) or ash gray (grayish white), and the xylem (wood portion) is yellowish white with radial veins. The herb has a slight fragrance and tastes mild, slightly bitter, and astringent.
(10) Salvia plectranthoides Girff.
Botanical Description:Salvia plectranthoides Griff. is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (Labiatae, mint family) and the Salvia genus. It is commonly known as Long-corolla Salvia, Long-corolla Sage, Xiao Dan Shen, and Chang Guang Shu Wei Cao. An annual or biennial herb, it grows up to 10–60 cm tall. The rhizome is short and woody, and the root tuber is prismatic, 1.5–5 cm long. The stem is covered with spreading, sparse pilosity. Basal and cauline leaves are trifoliolate (ternate), pinnate, or bipinnately compound with 2–3 pairs of pinnae; petioles are long; leaflets are orbicular to lanceolate, 0.5–5 cm long, glabrous or sparsely puberulent along the veins on the abaxial surface, and bear glandular dots.
Verticillasters are spaced apart (remote) and arranged in terminal panicles; floral bracts are small and lanceolate; the calyx is campanulate-tubular, 5–8 mm long, with glandular pubescence along the external veins; the upper lip is entire, and the lower lip is 2-lobed; the corolla is red, purple to royal purple (bluish violet), 1.1–2.0 cm long, and the calyx tube is 2–3 times the length of the calyx limb; filaments are 2–3 mm long, the septum is 3–4 mm long, the upper arm is slightly longer, and the apex of the lower arm is slightly enlarged and connate.
Nutlets are oblong-trigonous, ~2.5 mm in diameter, rounded at the apex, and pale brown or tan (chocolate brown). Its flowering period is from May to August.
Ecological Environment:Salvia plectranthoides Griff. grows on hillsides and mountain slopes, in valleys, open forests, and along stream banks, at altitudes of 600–1,200 meters above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is short and nearly woody. The root is cylindrical or fusiform and pinkish-gray (grayish-red).
✵The article records the herb Danshen Root, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, and its botanical sources—as defined in classical herbal works—comprising ten plant species: (1) Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, (2) Salvia przewalskii Maxim., (3) Salvia bowleyana Dunn, (4) Salvia przewalskii Maxim. var. mandarinorum (Diels) Stib., (5) Salvia yunnanensis C. H. Wright, (6) Salvia kiaometiensis Lévl. f. pubescens Stib., (7) Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge var. alba C. Y. Wu et H. W. Li, (8) Salvia digitaloides Diels, (9) Salvia trijuga Diels, and (10) Salvia plectranthoides Griff. It provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these ten species; the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb Danshen Root; its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Dān Shēn
Botanical Description: Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge is a perennial herb of the family Lamiaceae (formerly Labiatae, mint family) and genus Salvia. It is commonly known as Dan Shen (“red ginseng”) or Hong Gen (“red root”). It grows 30–100 cm tall. The entire plant is densely covered with pale yellow, pilose and glandular hairs. Stems are quadrangular, grooved, and branched in the upper portion. Leaves are opposite and imparipinnate; petioles measure 1–7 cm in length; leaflets typically number five (rarely three or seven), with the terminal leaflet largest and lateral leaflets smaller. Leaflet blades are ovate to broadly ovate, 2–7 cm long and 0.8–5 cm wide; the apex is acute or acuminate; the base is obliquely rounded or broadly cuneate; the margin is crenate; both surfaces are densely covered with white pilose hairs.
Ecological Environment: Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge grows on hillsides and mountain slopes, in forest meadows or along ditches, at altitudes of 120–1,300 m above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is thick and robust, sometimes bearing a residual reddish-violet or taupe stem base at the apex. One to several roots are present; the surface is brick-red or reddish-brown, long-cylindrical, straight or curved, occasionally branched and bearing root hairs; length is 10–20 cm, diameter is 0.2–1 cm. Longitudinal wrinkles and fibrous-root scars mark the surface, which is coarse and rough. In older roots, the cork bark is taupe (dust-colored) or tan (chocolate brown) and often exfoliates in scales, exposing the reddish-brown new cork; sometimes the bark fissures, revealing the white xylem (wood). The herb is firm and hard, brittle, with an uneven, horny or fibrous fracture surface. The cambium ring is conspicuous; the xylem is yellowish-white, with tracheids arranged radially. The herb has a slight fragrance and tastes mild, slightly bitter, and astringent.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) dilates coronary and peripheral blood vessels, increases coronary blood flow, slows heart rate, and reduces myocardial ischemic injury; (2) promotes fibrinolysis and exerts anticoagulant effects; (3) alleviates carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic tissue damage and promotes hepatocyte regeneration; (4) modulates both humoral and cellular immunity.
Botanical Description: Salvia przewalskii Maxim. is a perennial herb of the Lamiaceae family (formerly Labiatae) and the genus Salvia. It is commonly known as Przewalsk’s sage root, Radix Salviae Przewalskii, Ganxi sage, Ganxi salvia, Gān Xī Shǔ Wěi Cǎo, or Gānsù Dānshēn. Plants grow up to 60 cm tall. Roots are stout, straight, conical, and often twisted or braided; the outer bark is reddish-brown; root length is 15–40 cm. Stems are erect, branched from the base, and densely pubescent. Leaves are simple, basal or cauline, all with long petioles; cauline leaves are opposite; leaf blades are triangular or elliptic-hastate, with an acute apex and cordate or truncate base; margins bear triangular or semicircular teeth; the upper surface is green and hirtellous; the lower surface is densely covered with ash-gray (grayish-white) tomentum.
Two to four verticillasters form racemes; bracts are ovate (egg-shaped) or elliptic; the calyx is campanulate (bell-shaped), externally densely covered with long glandular hairs, and bilabiate; the corolla is bilabiate, prunus-colored (violet-red), sparsely pubescent externally, with inconspicuous annular trichomes located 3–5 mm above the base on the inner surface; two fertile stamens arise from the anterior part of the corolla tube throat, filaments are flattened and longer than the septum; two staminodes arise from the posterior part of the corolla tube throat; the ovary is deeply 4-lobed; the style is slightly exserted beyond the corolla, with an apically shallowly and unequally 2-lobed stigma.
Four nutlets, obovoid, taupe (dust-colored). Flowering occurs from May to August.
Growth Characteristics: Salvia przewalskii Maxim. prefers warm and moist climates, is cold-tolerant, and highly adaptable. For cultivation, a sunny site with deep, well-drained, medium-fertility sandy loam soil is recommended.
Botanical Description: Salvia bowleyana Dunn is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (formerly Labiatae, the mint family) in the genus Salvia. It is commonly known as Bowley Sage Root, Nan Dan Shen, or South Dan Shen. A perennial herb, it grows up to about 1 meter tall; its roots are hypertrophic, and their surface is red. The stem is stout, obtusely quadrangular, grooved, and covered with downward-directed pilose hairs.
Leaves are pinnately compound and opposite; petioles are 4–6 cm long and pilose; leaf blades are 10–20 cm long, with 5–7 leaflets; the terminal leaflet is ovoid-lanceolate, 4–7.5 cm long and 2–4.5 cm wide, with an acuminate or caudate-acuminate apex and a rounded, shallowly cordate, or slightly oblique base; margins are crenate. The veins on both surfaces are slightly viscous, while the rest of the lamina is glabrous. There are 5–6 pairs of lateral veins; the midrib is conspicuously sunken on the adaxial surface and prominent on the abaxial surface; the upper surface is green, the lower surface is pale green; lateral leaflets are smaller and obliquely based.
Eight or more verticillasters form apical racemes or racemose panicles, 14–30 cm long; the calyx is fistulose (tubular), bilabiate, with the upper lip broadly triangular and the lower lip smaller, triangular, lobed or toothed; the corolla is lilac, purple to royal purple (bluish-violet); the corolla tube is about 10 mm long, exserted beyond the calyx; the limb is bilabiate—the upper lip is slightly falcate, the lower lip is slightly shorter and rectangular, 3-lobed, with the middle lobe largest and obcordate; the style is exserted, with an unequally 2-lobed apex.
Botanical Description: Salvia yunnanensis C. H. Wright is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (formerly Labiatae, the mint family) in the genus Salvia. It is commonly known as Yunnan Salvia, Yunnan Shǔ Wěi Cǎo (Yunnan Sage), or Bēn Mǎ Cǎo. A perennial herb, it grows up to about 30 cm tall. Rhizomes are short; tuberous roots are usually 2–3, scarlet, fusiform (spindle-shaped), 3–5 cm long and 3–6 mm in diameter. Stems are erect, obtusely quadrangular, grooved, and densely covered with white tomentum.
Ecological Environment: Salvia yunnanensis C. H. Wright grows in meadows, at forest edges, in open forests, and in dry woodlands, at altitudes of 1,800–2,900 m above sea level.
Botanical Description: Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge var. alba C. Y. Wu et H. W. Li is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (formerly Labiatae, the mint family) in the genus Salvia. It is also known as Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge f. alba C. Y. Wu et H. W. Li. It is commonly known as White-flower Salvia or Bái Huā Dān Shēn (White-flower Salvia). A perennial herb, it has hypertrophic roots with a red surface. Stems are 40–80 cm tall and villous. Leaves are pinnately compound; leaflets occur in 1–3 pairs, ovate (egg-shaped) or elliptic-ovate, and both surfaces are pilose.
Ecological Environment: Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge var. alba C. Y. Wu et H. W. Li grows in wild habitats, meadows, grasslands, and on hillsides or mountain slopes.
Botanical Description: Salvia digitaloides Diels is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (formerly Labiatae, the mint family) in the genus Salvia. It is commonly known as Salvia digitaloides, White-backed Salvia, Digitaloides Sage, Bái Bèi Dān Shēn (White-backed Salvia), Yín Zǐ Dān Shēn (Silver-seed Salvia), or Máo Dì Huáng Shǔ Wěi Cǎo (Hairy Ground-yellow Sage). A perennial, erect herb, it grows 30–60 cm tall. The stem is erect and densely pilose. Leaves consist of basal and cauline leaves, opposite; petioles of basal leaves are 6–8 cm long; cauline leaves have short petioles or are sessile; leaf blades are oblong-ovate, 3.5–11 cm long and 2–5 cm wide, with an obtuse or rounded apex, rounded base, crenate margin, and crêpe-paper-like texture; the adaxial surface is green and sparsely pubescent; the abaxial surface is slightly wrinkled and densely covered with white, short tomentum.
Ecological Environment: Salvia digitaloides Diels grows in mountain pine forests, on degraded hillsides, and in meadows, at altitudes of 2,500–3,600 m above sea level.
Botanical Description: Salvia trijuga Diels is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (Labiatae, mint family) and the Salvia genus. It is commonly known as Salvia trijuga, Triple-leaf Salvia, Sān Yè Shǔ Wěi Cǎo (meaning “Three-leaf Salvia”), Clover Sage, and San Dui Ye Dan Shen. A perennial herb, it grows up to 30–60 cm tall. The root is hypertrophied, vermilion (scarlet), 3–10 cm long. Stems are villous. The plant bears both simple leaves and trifoliolate compound leaves; leaves on the lower part are usually trifoliolate, with petioles 5–7 cm long; the upper surface of the leaves is covered with dense, adnate bristles, while the lower surface is sparsely pilose along the veins.
Verticillasters bear two flowers, are spaced apart (remote), and form terminal racemes or racemose panicles; the calyx is campanulate (bell-shaped), externally covered with glandular pubescence, internally lined with slightly stiff, appressed hairs, and bilabiate; the corolla is royal purple (bluish violet) with yellow spots, glabrate on the exterior and bearing a ring of hairs on the interior; filaments are about 5 mm long, the septum is about 8 mm long and curved into an arc shape, with the upper and lower arms nearly equal in length—or the upper arm is slightly longer.
Botanical Description: Salvia plectranthoides Griff. is a plant of the Lamiaceae family (Labiatae, mint family) and the Salvia genus. It is commonly known as Long-corolla Salvia, Long-corolla Sage, Xiao Dan Shen, and Chang Guang Shu Wei Cao. An annual or biennial herb, it grows up to 10–60 cm tall. The rhizome is short and woody, and the root tuber is prismatic, 1.5–5 cm long. The stem is covered with spreading, sparse pilosity. Basal and cauline leaves are trifoliolate (ternate), pinnate, or bipinnately compound with 2–3 pairs of pinnae; petioles are long; leaflets are orbicular to lanceolate, 0.5–5 cm long, glabrous or sparsely puberulent along the veins on the abaxial surface, and bear glandular dots.
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