Evidence supporting the use of: Chinese salvia root
For the health condition: Blood Clots (prevention of)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Chinese salvia root (Salvia miltiorrhiza, also known as Danshen) is traditionally used in Chinese medicine to promote blood circulation and remove “blood stasis,” which aligns with the concept of preventing or treating blood clots. From a scientific perspective, Danshen has been the subject of numerous pharmacological studies. Its active compounds—mainly tanshinones and salvianolic acids—have demonstrated antithrombotic and anticoagulant effects in vitro and in animal models. These compounds appear to inhibit platelet aggregation, reduce blood viscosity, and modulate coagulation pathways. Several small clinical trials and meta-analyses from China indicate that extracts of Danshen, alone or in combination with conventional therapies, may help prevent blood clots and improve outcomes in patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, such as angina and ischemic stroke. However, the overall quality of clinical evidence is moderate at best: many studies suffer from small sample sizes, lack of rigorous controls, or publication bias. International guidelines do not currently endorse Danshen for blood clot prevention, and there are concerns about herb-drug interactions, especially with anticoagulants like warfarin. In summary, while there is moderate scientific evidence suggesting Danshen’s potential to prevent blood clots, more robust clinical trials are needed to confirm efficacy and safety in humans.

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