Evidence supporting the use of: Red Sage
For the health condition: Circulation (poor)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4
Red Sage (Salvia miltiorrhiza) and Circulation Support: Evidence Overview
Red Sage, also known as Danshen, has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for cardiovascular and circulatory disorders. In recent decades, its effects have been increasingly studied in scientific research, particularly for its impact on blood flow and vascular health.
Phytochemical analysis of Red Sage reveals the presence of active components such as tanshinones and salvianolic acids, which have been shown to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory properties. Several preclinical studies and clinical trials suggest that Red Sage extracts may improve microcirculation, reduce blood viscosity, inhibit platelet aggregation, and promote endothelial function. For example, a 2018 systematic review in the journal Phytomedicine concluded that Danshen preparations showed efficacy in improving symptoms and biomarkers in patients with chronic circulatory conditions, such as angina pectoris and peripheral arterial disease. Additionally, some studies have reported that Red Sage can enhance recovery from ischemic events by promoting blood flow and reducing tissue damage.
Despite these promising findings, many clinical trials have methodological limitations, including small sample sizes and variability in extract standardization. However, the convergence of traditional use and accumulating scientific evidence supports Red Sage’s role in addressing poor circulation. Overall, the evidence justifies a relatively high confidence rating, although more rigorous, large-scale human trials are still warranted.
Other ingredients used for Circulation (poor)
acetyl l-carnitineajoene
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anthocyanins
arjun tree
ashwagandha
asparagus
astaxanthin
astragalus
beet
bergamot
berry flavor
bilberry
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
black pepper
sesame
black tea
blueberry
bromelain
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
butcher's broom
caffeine
capsaicinoids
cat's claw
caterpillar mushroom
celery
chen pi
cherry
Chinese salvia root
chokeberry
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coleus forskohlii
cordyceps
turmeric
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
dong quai root
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
garlic bulb
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
gooseberry
gotu kola
grape
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
hawthorn
hesperetin
hesperidin
hibiscus
horse chestnut
horseradish
Indian tinospora
iron
knotweed
kudzu
l-arginine
l-carnitine
l-citrulline
lovage
mackerel
magnesium
marine lipid
moringa
mustard seed
naringin
nattokinase
nettle
niacin (vitamin B3)
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
orange
oyster mushroom
pine bark
policosanol
pomegranate
quercetin
redcurrant
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rose hips
rosemary
rutin
safflower oil
sardines
shiitake mushroom
black ginger
spinach
tocotrienols
triphala
ubiquinol
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin B
vitamin E
seaweed
water
watercress
watermelon
mulberry
sarsaparilla
suma
jiaogulan
tangerine
gastrodia
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
Indian bael
inula racemosa
punarnava
commiphora
smilax
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
peony
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
prickly ash
siler root
cistanche
dioscorea
dodder
ganoderma
morinda
zanthoxylum
birch
polyphenols
purslane
yerba mate
biota seed
goji berry
herbal blend (proprietary)
Sichuan pepper
yohimbe
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
enzymes blend (proprietary)
cayenne pepper
ashitaba
2-(nitrooxy)ethyl 2-amino-3-methylbutanoate
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Aralia
Arjuna
Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate
Antler
Autumn elaeagnus
Arginine Creatine
Arginine nitrate
Angelica
Aronia melanocarpa
Allicin
Arginine aspartate
Achyranthes
Auricularia
Adrenergic amines
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
Asteracea
Arjunic Acid
Alliin
anthocyanosides
Allium tuberosum
Arginine silicate
Atractylone
Bishop's Weed
Butea monosperma
Black galingale
berry
Bur-Reed
Bioflavonoids
Bee products
Buddha's Hand
Buckwheat
Bassia scoparia
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Coumarin
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Cinnamomum
Chinese Mountain Ant
Carqueja
Calycosin
Capsinoids
Codonopsis
Capillary Artemisia
Cyanidin
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Capsaicin
Catecholamine
Cowherb
Curcumen
Centella asiatica
Coca
Chocolate
Curcuma
Chestnut
Cinnamaldehyde
Costus
Carthamus
cola nut
Currant
Diallyl sulfide
Diosmin
Dismutase
Danshen
Dong Quai
Date
Diosmetin
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
Elk antler
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
Echium
Garlic
Mustard
Mistletoe
Pistachio
Sumac
Sweet Orange alcohol
yohimbine
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Red Sage
Alzheimer's DiseaseAnemia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Arthritis
Asthma
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Convalescence
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Edema
Fatigue
Fever
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Gonorrhea
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hepatitis
Herpes
Hypertension
Inflammation
Influenza
Insomnia
Liver Detoxification
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause