丹參 Dansam (단삼)

Original, read line by line 東醫寶鑑 · Tangaek — Decoctions vol. 2

1. 性微寒一云平, 味苦, 無毒. 治脚軟疼痺, 四肢不遂.

   Its nature is slightly cold, though one account calls it neutral; its taste is bitter, and it is non-toxic. It treats weak, aching, numb legs and limbs that will not obey.

   HomiclubDansam is the root of a mint-family perennial, and the character dan (丹, red) in its name comes from its red color. It is unrelated to ginseng despite sharing the character sam (參) in its name.

2. 排膿止痛, 生肌長肉, 破宿血, 補新血, 安生胎, 落死胎.

   It expels pus and stops pain, raises new flesh, breaks up old blood, supplements new blood, calms a living fetus, and drops a dead one.

3. 調婦人經脉不勻, 止崩漏帶下.

   It regulates a woman's uneven menstrual channels and stops flooding, spotting, and discharge.

4. 莖葉如薄荷而有毛. 三月開花紅紫色. 根赤大如指, 長尺餘, 一苗數根. 九十月採根, 暴乾. 《本草》

   Its stems and leaves are like mint but hairy. In the third month it opens reddish-purple flowers. Its root is red, as thick as a finger and a bit over a foot long, and one plant puts out several roots. Dig the root in the ninth and tenth months and dry it in the sun. 《Boncho (本草)》

   HomiclubThe likeness to mint comes from dansam being a mint-family plant too, with a square stem and opposite leaves. Several finger-thick red roots spreading from a single crown is the clue for recognizing it.

5. 酒浸服, 可逐奔馬, 故又名奔馬草. 酒洗, 曬乾用. 《入門》

   Steeped in liquor and taken it is said to let one chase a galloping horse, whence the other name bunmacho (奔馬草, running-horse herb). Wash it with liquor and sun-dry it for use. 《Ipmun (入門)》