A shade-growing perennial flowering plant.

Reduce platelet aggregation (sticking of blood cells that can form artery-blocking clots), reduces the tension in the arteries (thus causing them to dilate, or open wider to allow blood cells to pass), promotes the cardiac action.

Medline plus

Cryptotanshinone, methyl-tanshinonate, salvianolic acid-A, salviol, tanshinone-I, tanshinone-II (root)

In treating cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, vascular disorders and chestpain, inhibits HIV infection in human T lymphocyte cells and mononuclear phagocytic lineage cells.

Caution is advised in patients with bleeding disorders, taking drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding, or prior to some surgical procedures.

Dong JC. Xu LN. [Beneficial effects of acetylsalvianolic acid A on focal cerebral ischemic rats subjected to middle cerebral artery thrombosis]. Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao1996;31(1):6-9.