Evidence supporting the use of: Chinese salvia root
For the body system: Capillaries

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Synopsis

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

Chinese salvia root (Salvia miltiorrhiza), also known as Danshen, has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), particularly for supporting cardiovascular health, which includes effects on the capillaries and microcirculation. For centuries, Danshen has been prescribed to "invigorate the blood," "remove blood stasis," and "open the channels," which are traditional concepts believed to be related to improving circulation and supporting vascular integrity, including that of small blood vessels like capillaries.

Modern pharmacological studies have identified compounds in Danshen, such as tanshinones and salvianolic acids, that exhibit vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest these compounds may improve microcirculation, protect vascular endothelial cells, and reduce capillary permeability or fragility. However, while these findings are promising, direct clinical evidence specifically supporting the use of Chinese salvia root for capillary health in humans is limited and often extrapolated from broader studies on cardiovascular or microvascular conditions.

Overall, the use of Chinese salvia root to support capillary health is primarily justified by traditional use, with some preliminary scientific rationale but limited high-quality clinical evidence directly targeting the capillaries. More robust human studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety for this specific purpose.

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