Use Super Dan Shen to Improve Your Blood Pressure, Cholesterol and Blood Sugar
In recent years, the Chinese medicinal herb Salvia miltiorrhiza has sparked considerable discussion online. This reddish-brown rhizome is not only a commonly used ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, but has also been validated by modern scientific research to demonstrate diverse health benefits, from cardiovascular health to beauty and even weight loss.
A natural heart-protecting remedy that promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Danshen is classified as a blood-activating and blood-stasis-removing herb. Modern medical experiments have confirmed that its active ingredients can inhibit abnormal platelet aggregation, reduce blood viscosity, and regulate the balance of the body's internal and external coagulation systems, significantly preventing and improving cardiovascular disease. Dr. Zhou Zonghan, a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner at the Ren'ai branch of Taipei City United Hospital, noted that Danshen has therapeutic effects on irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, traumatic injuries, acne, restlessness, insomnia, and angina pectoris. It is particularly effective in treating microcirculatory disorders caused by qi stagnation and blood stasis. He added that Danshen is often included in weight loss tea recipes because of its ability to promote blood circulation, helping to improve metabolic efficiency.
Scientifically proven: Key ingredients that help reduce fat and protect the liver
A research team from Taipei Medical University found that a single compound in Danshen, ST32da, has the potential to transform fat cells - it can convert white fat (WAT), which easily accumulates calories, into brown fat (BAT), which is easy to burn. This not only helps with weight management, but also improves fatty liver problems, inhibits liver inflammation index, and alleviates the risk of obesity-related diabetes. In fact, Chinese medicine has a long history of using Danshen to assist in weight loss, but clinical prescriptions are mostly in the form of compound prescriptions: for patients with fatty liver, it is often combined with Chinese herbs such as safflower, cassia, hawthorn, papaya, poria, polygonatum, gorgon fruit, bamboo leaves, tangerine peel, cinnamon, lily, etc., to comprehensively play a role.hypotensive, the synergistic effect of blood lipids and blood sugar.
Flexible application of external beauty and cardiovascular care
The health benefits of Danshen are not limited to internal use. To address the dark circles caused by staying up late, grind Danshen into powder, mix it with pearl powder and moisturizing lotion and apply it around the eyes. This can improve microcirculation and reduce pigmentation and swelling.Cardiovascular healthFor this purpose, Zhou Zonghan suggested brewing Danshen with tea: high-quality tea itself has the effects of clearing away heat, digesting food, diuresis and detoxification, and the caffeine component in it can dilate blood vessels,Strengthen capillary elasticityIt works synergistically with Danshen to effectively lower cholesterol and improve symptoms of coronary heart disease such as atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. It is recommended to avoid drinking this tea before bed to prevent caffeine from affecting sleep quality.
A gentle conditioning option for women's health
Salvia miltiorrhiza also holds a prominent place in gynecology. While there's a popular saying that "Salvia miltiorrhiza alone has the same benefits as the Four Substances Decoction," its efficacy cannot fully replace the combined therapeutic properties of Siwu Decoction. In comparison, Salvia miltiorrhiza is safer and has blood-activating and menstrual-regulating properties, making it particularly suitable for women with dysmenorrhea caused by blood stasis. It's recommended to consume a Qi-tonifying and nourishing chicken soup with Salvia miltiorrhiza after menstruation to help relieve postmenstrual fatigue and dry mouth. Zhou Zonghan further explains that, in addition to women experiencing menstrual pain, Salvia miltiorrhiza can also be used to regulate the constitution of the elderly with weak Qi and blood, those experiencing delayed recovery from postpartum weakness, or those with anemia caused by malnutrition.
[Chicken Soup Recipe for Nourishing Qi and Activating Blood Circulation]
Materials：Half a native chicken (cut into pieces), 10g of danshen (salvia miltiorrhiza), 10g of astragalus root, 10g of ophiopogon root, 6g of licorice root, 5 red dates, 3 slices of old ginger, 50cc of rice wine, 3000cc of cold water.
Steps：
1.Prepare ingredients: Cut the chicken into pieces and quickly rinse the Chinese medicinal materials with clean water to remove dust.
2.Pre-cook water to remove blood: Put the chicken into cold water (completely immersed), add 3 slices of ginger, boil over high heat, then remove from the water and rinse off any impurities on the surface.
3.To stew a health-preserving soup: Place the processed chicken into a soup pot, add water to cover the ingredients, pour in rice wine, add all the Chinese medicinal materials, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for about 40 minutes. Finally, add salt to taste and enjoy.
This soup combines the effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza for promoting blood circulation, Astragalus for replenishing qi, and Ophiopogon japonicus for nourishing yin. It is suitable for regular consumption by those with weak qi and blood, postpartum care, or malnutrition. It is a health-preserving choice that combines traditional wisdom with modern needs.
