Salvia miltiorrhiza for Cardiovascular Support

Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) health benefits include cardiovascular heart health support, anti-inflammatory support, and blood circulation support.

Salvia miltiorrhiza is a traditional Chinese perennial plant of the Lamiaceae family and genus Salvia. It is commonly referred to as Dan Shen in China and is regarded as an essential herbal extract for human health. It is first mentioned in Shennong’s Bencaojing (Herbal Classic of Materia Medica), written between 206 BC and 220 AD.

The herb has been used medicinally for more than 2,000 years. In traditional Chinese medicine Dan Shen (also spelled Danshen) is believed to enhance blood circulation, help eliminate blood stasis and assuage pain, soothe restlessness, and cool the blood.

Let’s dig deeper and discuss the health benefits of Salvia miltiorrhiza related to heart health.

How Salvia miltiorrhiza Enhances Heart Health

Cholesterol Level Maintenance

Too high or too low levels of cholesterol can affect the proper functioning of the heart. For instance, elevated plasma cholesterol levels such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) can cause breathing difficulties and heart failure. Salvia miltiorrhiza contains several phytoconstituents that help regulate the amount of cholesterol in the body.

This herbal extract contains constituents of salvianolic acid A and magnesium tanshinone B, which inhibit the oxidation of LDL. This effect is therapeutically relevant, as it may protect the body cells from lipid peroxidation, thus reducing cholesterol-related cardiovascular issues.

Blood Pressure Support

Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the arteries. It is also a rough measure of how hard the heart is working to pump blood throughout the body. Normal blood pressure ranges between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. People who experience blood pressure that is too low or too high are vulnerable to serious or even life-threatening health conditions, such as heart attacks, vascular dementia, aortic aneurysms, stroke, and heart failure.

An herbal tea made from Salvia miltiorrhiza can support overall heart health by reducing the effort required by the heart to pump blood. Drinking one or two cups of Dan Shen tea daily may enhance the ability of the body to maintain normal blood pressure by dilating blood vessels and reducing coagulation.

The body can operate within the ideal normal range, which is essential in promoting cardiovascular health. Once the tea is absorbed into the bloodstream, Salvia miltiorrhiza inhibits the action of an angiotensin converting enzyme, improving vasodilation, which may help protect from high blood pressure or hypertension.

Protection of the Cardiac Cellular Levels

Dan Shen has anti-inflammatory properties that may help protect the heart cells at the cellular and subcellular level. These properties prevent the inflammation of the cells in the lining of the heart to aid seamless microcirculation within the heart. During microcirculation, the blood moves through the smallest blood vessels to facilitate the transfer of oxygen into the red blood cells located in the capillaries of the parenchymal cells. Delivery of oxygen into the heart tissues supports the functional activity of the cardiovascular system.

Improved Mitochondrial Function

In addition, Dan Shen improves the mitochondrial function in cardiomyocytes by improving energy production and suppressing the damaging of free radicals. These actions are very important in enhancing the functions of the cardiovascular system.

Learn More About Cardiovascular Health Support

Salvia miltiorrhiza extract offers a wide range of potential heart blood flow and circulation health benefits. It supports healthy circulation and heart health at the cellular level. Together with a healthy diet and proper exercise, it can support the conditions needed for improved cardiovascular health.

Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan Shen) is one of five herbal extracts included in Linden Botanicals CardiAce Heart Health Support Kits. The other extracts include Astragalus, Angelica (Aralia elata), Cistanche, and Hawthorn berry (Crataegus monogyna). CardiAce Kits are a synergistic collection of five time-tested heart health herbal supplements designed to support vascular health and healthy heart function, bolster mitochondrial energy, improve cardiac stress tolerance, and protect against free radical damage.

Kits come in two sizes: 100g (~50 servings) and 250g (~125 servings). To learn more about the health benefits of Dan Shen, a good place to start is with the CardiAce FAQ.

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