Library

(Shangpin, High Grade, from *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

**Names:** Chishen (Red Salvia, from *Mingyi Bielu*), Shanshen (Mountain Salvia, from *Rihua Bencao*), Chancao (Cicada Grass, from *Shennong Bencao Jing*), Muyangru (Wood Sheep's Milk, from *Wu Pu Bencao*), Zhuma (Horse-Chaser, named by Tao Hongjing), Benma Cao (Galloping Horse Grass).

Li Shizhen stated: The five types of Shen (Salvia/Ginseng-like herbs) correspond to the five colors and are associated with the five Zang organs. Therefore, Renshen (Ren Shen, Ginseng) enters the Spleen and is called Huangshen (Yellow Shen); Shashen (Sha Shen, Glehnia Root) enters the Lungs and is called Baishen (White Shen); Xuanshen (Xuan Shen, Scrophularia Root) enters the Kidneys and is called Heishen (Black Shen); Mumeng enters the Liver and is called Zishen (Purple Shen); Danshen (Dan Shen, Salvia Miltiorrhiza) enters the Heart and is called Chishen (Red Shen). As for Kushen (Ku Shen, Sophora Root), it is a herb for treating the Right Kidney and Mingmen (Gate of Life). The ancients discarded Zishen and referred to Kushen, failing to understand this principle. Bing stated: Danshen treats wind-induced softness of the legs and can drive away galloping horses, hence the name Benma Cao. It has been used and proved effective.

**Collection and Description:** *Mingyi Bielu* states: Danshen grows in the valleys of Tongbai Mountain and Mount Tai. The roots are harvested in May and dried in the sun.

Tao Hongjing stated: This Tongbai Mountain is in Yiyang, the source of the Huai River, not the Tongbai Mountain in Linhai, Jiangdong. It is now found everywhere along nearby roads. The stem is square and hairy, with purple flowers; people at that time called it Zhuma.

Wu Pu stated: The stems and leaves have small compartments like Ren (Perilla) and are hairy; the root is reddish. It blooms purple flowers in April. Roots are harvested in February and May and dried in the shade.

Su Song stated: It is now grown in Shaanxi, Hedong prefectures, and Suizhou. Seedlings emerge in February, growing about one chi high. The stem is square with ridges and green. Leaves grow opposite each other, resembling Mint but hairy. Flowers form spikes from March to September, red-purple in color, similar to Perilla flowers. The root is reddish, large ones as thick as a finger and over one chi long, with multiple roots per seedling.

Zhen Quan stated: Winter harvest is superior; summer harvest is inferior and poor quality. Li Shizhen stated: It grows in mountains everywhere. One branch has five leaves; the leaves resemble wild Perilla but are sharper at the tip, and are green.

**Flavor and Properties:** Bitter, slightly cold, non-toxic.

Wu Pu stated: Shennong, Tongjun, Huangdi, and Leigong considered it bitter and non-toxic; Qibo considered it salty. Li Dangzhi considered it greatly cold.

Tao Hongjing stated: Long-term use causes red eyes, implying it should be hot-natured; the current description of "slightly cold" is likely erroneous.

Xu Zhicai stated: Neutral.

Xu Zhicai stated: Incompatible with salty water; contrary to Lilu (Veratrum).

**Indications and Actions:** Treats evil qi in the heart and abdomen, intestinal rumbling sounding like flowing water, accumulation of cold and heat, breaks masses and removes growths, stops irritability and fullness, and tonifies Qi (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Nourishes Blood, removes stubborn diseases and stagnant qi in the heart and abdomen, stiff neck and back, numbness and bi-syndrome in the legs, and expels lingering wind-heat. Long-term use benefits the person (*Mingyi Bielu*). Infused in wine and drunk, it treats wind-bi syndrome and leg weakness (Tao Hongjing). Mainly treats sudden severe illness (Zhong'e) and various evil spirits/demons, abdominal pain with qi rebellion, roaring sounds, and can stabilize Jing (Essence) (Zhen Quan). Nourishes the Spirit, stabilizes willpower, unblocks and promotes circulation, aborts dead fetus, stops metrorrhagia and leukorrhea, regulates irregular menstruation in women, treats blood-pathogen irritability, malignant sores, scabies, tinea, goiter, warts, swelling, toxins, erysipelas, discharges pus, relieves pain, and generates flesh and promotes tissue growth (Daming). Invigorates Blood, unblocks the Pericardium Collateral, and treats hernia pain (Li Shizhen).

**Elucidation:** Li Shizhen stated: Danshen is red in color and bitter in taste, its Qi is neutral and descending, belonging to Yang within Yin. It enters the Hand-Shaoyin (Heart) and Jueyin (Pericardium) meridians; it is a herb for the Blood aspect of the Heart and Pericardium. According to *Furen Mingli Lun*: Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) treats women's diseases, applicable regardless of pre- or post-partum status or menstrual volume. However, Danshen San (Single Herb Powder of Danshen) has indications identical to Siwu Tang. This is because Danshen can break old blood, tonify new blood, secure a living fetus, abort a dead fetus, stop bleeding and leukorrhea, and regulate meridians; its efficacy is largely similar to Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Dihuang (Rehmannia), Xiong (Ligusticum), and Shaoyao (Peony).

**Attached Prescriptions:** Three old prescriptions, four new prescriptions.

**Danshen San:** Treats irregular menstruation in women, either early or late, with varying amounts; restless fetus before birth; failure of lochia to discharge after birth; and miscellaneous cold-heat disorders.

**Abortive Formula for Bleeding:** Danshen 12 liang, Wine 5 sheng. Boil to obtain 3 sheng. Take 1 sheng warm, three times a day. Can also be decocted in water (*Qianjin Fang*).

**Cold Hernia Abdominal Pain:** Pulling pain in the lower abdomen and yin region, sweating of white sweat (cold sweat), feeling of impending death. Use Danshen 1 liang powdered. Take 2 qian each time, mixed with hot wine (*Shenghui Fang*).

**Pediatric Fever with Restlessness due to Wind-Stroke:** Danshen 0.5 liang, Rat Feces (stir-fried) 30 pieces. Powder them. Take appropriate amount each time [text incomplete].

**Convulsions and Epilepsy with Fever:** Danshen Massage Ointment: Use Danshen and Leiwan (Polyporus) 0.5 liang each, Pig Fat 2 liang. Simultaneously boil up and down seven times, filter out dregs and store. Apply externally [text incomplete].

**Puerperal Mastitis:** Danshen, Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica), Shaoyao (Peony) each 2 liang. Cut into pieces, marinate in vinegar overnight, add Pig Fat 0.5 jin, simmer gently over low fire until ointment forms, filter dregs and apply to affected area (Meng Shen *Bixiao Fang*).

**Scalds from Hot Oil or Fire, Relieve Pain and Generate Flesh:** Danshen 8 liang chopped, slightly moistened with water, take Sheep Fat 2 jin, fry up and down three times, apply to the wound (*Zhouhou Fang*).