A Tale of Two Herbs

Danshen and Gegen Combination

Hong Kong researchers studied an herbal combination of Dan Shen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix) and Ge Gen (Puerariae Radix), and published their summary: "Ten Years' Research on a Cardiovascular Tonic". Over the past decade, this research group has investigated the quality control and safety of this herbal combination, lab studies of its cardiovascular protections and eventually clinical trials on its efficacy in heart conditions such as atherosclerosis in high-risk hypertensive patients.

This combination comes from a highly respectable herbal expert and clinician, Shi Jin-mo (1882-1968), who was well known for selecting twin combinations of herbs in the formation of simple, synergistic formulae. Shi advocated the use of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Danshen) together with Puerariae Lobatae Radix (Gegen) for the promotion of blood circulation.  This herbal combination found to have following actions: 

1) anti-Inflammatory and anti-oxidation, 

2) anti-hypertensive, 

3) anti-foam cell formation on vascular endothelium,

4) vasodilation.

Three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials have been conducted with Danshen and Gegen combination: 

1)The patients with coronary arterial diseases was well tolerated and effective in improving vascular function and structure. 

2) Danshen and Gegen combination was found significantly improved the atherogenic process in high-risk hypertensive subjects. 

3) Danshen and Gegen combination prevented atherosclerosis and lowered LDL and total cholesterol in postmenopausal women with early hypercholesterolemia.

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