Shi Jian Chuan
StarSalvia chinensis Benth.
☯ TCM Properties
Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis; Clears Heat and Drains Dampness; Disperses Swelling and Dissipates Nodules; Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity; Regulates Menstruation and Alleviates Pain
Traditional Chinese Uses
Shi Jian Chuan (salvia chinensis, Chinese sage) is a cool herb in the sage family used in Chinese medicine to invigorate Blood, clear Heat, and reduce swellings and masses. It is traditionally used for menstrual irregularities and pain from Blood stagnation, liver conditions including hepatitis, skin infections, and swollen lymph nodes. Its anti-inflammatory and Blood-activating properties have attracted modern clinical interest for its supportive role in inflammatory and proliferative conditions.
Botanical Description
Salvia chinensis is a slender annual or short-lived perennial herb of the family Lamiaceae, native to fields, roadsides, and low hillsides across central, southern, and eastern China. It grows 20 to 60 cm tall with the characteristic square stems of its family, often branched from the base and softly pubescent. The leaves are opposite, simple or once-pinnate with one to three pairs of small lateral leaflets and a larger ovate terminal leaflet, with serrate margins. Small bluish-purple, two-lipped flowers are borne in lax, interrupted verticillasters forming elongated terminal racemes in late summer and autumn, followed by small nutlets. The entire flowering herb is collected, dried, and used; it is distinct from the rooted Dan Shen (S. miltiorrhiza) and the Western culinary sage S. officinalis.
Active Constituents
Salvianolic acid B
Polyphenol (caffeic acid oligomer / phenolic acid)Concentration: Major phenolic constituent
A hallmark polyphenol of Salvia species identified in S. chinensis, with strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet and Blood-invigorating activity that supports the herb's actions of dispelling stasis and relieving pain.
Rosmarinic acid
Phenolic acid (caffeic acid dimer)Concentration: Predominant phenolic of Salvia species
The predominant phenolic acid of the genus, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity; a precursor within the salvianolic-acid pathway and a contributor to the Heat-clearing, detoxifying effects.
Ursolic acid
Pentacyclic triterpenoidConcentration: Notable triterpenoid constituent
A triterpenoid identified as a principal anticancer component; it reduces the viability of colorectal cancer cells dose- and time-dependently and inhibits the PI3K/AKT pathway in laboratory studies, aligning with the herb's use against nodules and tumors.
Oleanolic acid
Pentacyclic triterpenoidConcentration: Minor triterpenoid
An isomer of ursolic acid with hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and antitumor activity that contributes to the detoxifying and swelling-reducing functions of the herb.
Protocatechuic acid
Phenolic acid (dihydroxybenzoic acid)Concentration: Minor phenolic
A simple phenolic acid detected in polyphenol-rich extracts, contributing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
Caffeic acid
Hydroxycinnamic acidConcentration: Minor phenolic (biosynthetic precursor)
A central phenylpropanoid-pathway phenolic and precursor of rosmarinic and salvianolic acids, adding to the antioxidant profile of the whole plant.
Beta-sitosterol
PhytosterolConcentration: Minor
A phytosterol identified among the bioactive constituents, associated with anti-inflammatory and anticancer signaling in network-pharmacology analyses of the herb.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel)
Salvia polyphenols such as salvianolic acids and rosmarinic acid, together with the herb's Blood-invigorating (antiplatelet/anticoagulant) activity, could theoretically add to the effect of anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs. Direct clinical interaction data for S. chinensis are lacking; the concern is extrapolated from the genus.
Clinical note: Use cautiously with anticoagulants/antiplatelets and monitor for bruising or bleeding; consider around surgery.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
Preparation Methods
Decoction
Parts: whole plant (aerial parts and root)
The dried whole plant is decocted, commonly 15-30 g per day (higher for tumor-related use), alone or combined with Heat-clearing and Blood-invigorating herbs, to invigorate Blood, dispel stasis, clear Heat and dissipate nodules.
Granule / concentrated extract (Shi Jian Chuan granules)
Parts: whole plant
Concentrated water extracts are prepared as granules (a commercial pharmaceutical form) for convenient dosing in Heat-clearing, detoxifying and pain-relieving formulas.
Topical / external application
Parts: fresh whole plant
The crushed fresh herb is applied externally to swellings, sores and traumatic injuries to reduce swelling, dissipate nodules and relieve pain.
Clinical Studies
Exploring the pharmacological and molecular mechanisms of Salvia chinensis Benth in colorectal cancer: a network pharmacology and molecular docking study
Network pharmacology identified 11 bioactive compounds in S. chinensis (led by quercetin, resveratrol, ursolic acid and beta-sitosterol) acting on colorectal-cancer-related targets and pathways (including PI3K/AKT), with molecular docking supporting compound-target binding. The study proposes a multi-compound, multi-target basis for the herb's antitumor use.
Salvia chinensis Benth induces autophagy in esophageal cancer cells via AMPK/ULK1 signaling pathway
Extract of S. chinensis inhibited esophageal cancer cell growth by inducing autophagy through activation of the AMPK/ULK1 signaling pathway, providing a molecular mechanism for its traditional anticancer application.
Historical Texts
Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen
Ming dynasty, 1596Jiangsu folk / regional Materia Medica
Qing dynasty to modern eraReferences
- Zheng Q, Wang X, Gao T, Zhang B, Zhao N, Du R, Zhao Z. Exploring the pharmacological and molecular mechanisms of Salvia chinensis Benth in colorectal cancer: a network pharmacology and molecular docking study . Medicine (Baltimore) (2023) [DOI]
- Jia L, Lin XR, Guo WY, Huang M, Zhao Y, Zhang YS, Li J. Salvia chinensis Benth induces autophagy in esophageal cancer cells via AMPK/ULK1 signaling pathway . Frontiers in Pharmacology (2022) [DOI]
- Ma XH, Zhang YQ, Wang L, et al.. Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Pharmacology of Polyphenols from Chinese Salvia Species: A Review . Molecules (2019) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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