Some of the following information is taken from the Chinese Materia Medica by Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble.

Dan Shen, Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae,

English translation – “Cinnabar root”

Temperature: slightly cold Tastes: bitter

Channels Entered:  Heart, Pericardium & Liver channels
Dan Shen is a frequently used herb in our pharmacy. In China it was commonly used in formulas for patients presenting with heart disease, pain, masses and gynecological conditions. Such conditions include palpitations, chest pain, stroke, hypertension, stomach pain, irritability, restlessness, insomnia, painful menses and tumors.
It can be combined with other herbs known to move blood stasis due to its ability to enter the “microcirculation” of the body. It can then help with pain in the channels.

The “Shen” in Dan Shen has a special connotation with the Heart and it also enters the Heart & Pericardium channels. In Chinese Medicine, the Heart is the Sovereign organ and all emotions emanate from there. The Pericardium is the “heart protector” and will literally “protect” the heart from emotional and physical negative influences. Dan Shen can nourish the Heart, soothe the Heart and relieve irritability, restlessness, palpitations and insomnia, especially when due to heat, being that dan shen is a cooler herb.
Common dosage: “6 – 15 grams. It can be fried in wine to enhance its blood invigorating effect. Good quality is coarse and purplish black inside with small white spots.”