Dan Shen Yin — Salvia Drink

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Dan Shen Yin — the “Salvia Drink” — is from Lu Shiyong’s Shi Jian Tang Yi Xue Cong Shu. It is a focused three-herb formula for combined Qi and Blood stagnation in the chest producing chest pain, oppression and tightness. The combination of Dan Shen (strong Blood-mover with Heart affinity), Tan Xiang (aromatic Qi-mover for chest) and Sha Ren (warming Qi-mover for middle) addresses the simultaneous Heart-Qi stagnation, Heart-Blood stasis and middle-burner Qi stagnation that often co-occur in functional or early cardiovascular chest pain.

I prescribe Dan Shen Yin as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan, always alongside cardiology assessment for chest pain.

TCM pattern

Dan Shen Yin is prescribed for Heart Qi-Blood stagnation with middle-burner Qi stagnation:

• Chest pain or oppression
• Pain may radiate to the back or shoulder
• Pain worse with stress, eased with movement or sighing
• Epigastric distention, possibly belching
• Mild palpitations
• Tongue — slightly purple or dusky, thin white coat
• Pulse — wiry, possibly choppy

Key herbs

1. Dan Shen (Rx. Salviae Miltiorrhizae, 15–30g) — chief; moves Blood in the Heart channel; resolves chest stasis
2. Tan Xiang (Lignum Santali Albi, 1.5–3g) — aromatically moves Qi in the chest
3. Sha Ren (Fr. Amomi, 1.5–3g) — aromatically moves middle-burner Qi

Formula actions

1. Moves Blood; resolves Blood stasis in the Heart
2. Moves Qi in the chest and middle burner
3. Stops chest pain

Conditions treated

1. Stable angina pectoris with Qi-Blood stasis pattern (alongside conventional cardiology care)
2. Stress-related chest pain
3. Costochondritis
4. Functional chest pain with no cardiac cause identified
5. Post-MI recovery with chronic chest stasis (adjunctive)
6. Coronary microvascular dysfunction (adjunctive)

Cautions

New, severe or worsening chest pain is a medical emergency — call 999. This formula is for stable, investigated chest pain only, as adjunct to conventional care.

Caution in bleeding disorders or with anticoagulant medication — Dan Shen may potentiate bleeding risk.

Tan Xiang should be from sustainable cultivated sources; wild sandalwood is endangered. Pharmaceutical-grade granules use cultivated sources.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.