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Red root sage

Red root sage, also known as danshen, is a plant whose root is used to make medicine.

Redroot sage is used for circulatory problems, strokes, chest pain and other diseases of the heart and blood vessels. It is also used for menstrual problems, chronic liver disease and sleep problems caused by complaints such as rapid heartbeat or chest tightness. Some people use red root sage to treat skin conditions including acne, psoriasis and eczema. In addition, red root sage is also used to soothe bruises and help heal wounds.

How does red root sage work?

Red rootsage appears to thin the blood by inhibiting blood clotting. It also dilates the veins, which can improve blood circulation.

How effective is red root sage?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of red root sage for problems with blood circulation, stroke, chest pain and heart disease, menstrual problems, insomnia due to certain problems, acne, skin diseases, bruising and chronic liver inflammation, as well as to support wound healing. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of red root sage in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Red root sage appears to be safe and harmless for most people. It can cause some side effects including itching, stomach upset and reduced appetite. There are concerns that red root sage may cause drowsiness, dizziness and a blood disorder called thrombocytopenia. However, there is not enough information to say with certainty whether red root sage can actually cause these side effects.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Not enough is known about the use of red root sage during pregnancy and breastfeeding. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women are better off avoiding red root sage.

Bleeding disorders: There are concerns that red root sage may increase the risk of bleeding. For this reason, people who suffer from a bleeding disorder should not use red root sage.

Surgeries: Red root sage could slow down blood clotting. There are concerns that this could increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. For this reason, the use of red root sage should be discontinued at least 2 weeks before planned operations.

Interactions

Red root sage should not be taken in conjunction with the following medications:

Digoxin

Digoxin helps the heart to beat more strongly. Red root sage also appears to affect the heart. Taking red root sage in combination with digoxin could increase the effect of digoxin and the risk of side effects. For this reason, red root sage should only be used after prior consultation with your doctor if you are taking digoxin.

Medication that slows down blood clotting

Red rootsage could slow down blood clotting. Taking red root sage in conjunction with medications that also slow blood clotting could increase the risk of bleeding and the tendency to bruise.

Warfarin

Warfarin is used to slow down blood clotting. Red root sage could prolong the duration of action of warfarin and thus increase the risk of bleeding and the tendency to bruise. For this reason, the blood should be checked regularly. It is possible that the warfarin dosage may need to be adjusted if red root sage is taken.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of red root sage depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for red root sage. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

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  3. Chow L, Johnson M, Wells A, Dasgupta A. Effect of the traditional Chinese medicines Chan Su, Lu-Shen-Wan, Dan Shen, and Asian ginseng on serum digoxin measurement by Tina-quant (Roche) and Synchron LX system (Beckman) digoxin immunoassays. J Clin Lab Anal 2003;17:22-7.
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