Hi David, Would you have any hesitation in giving someone Dan Shen if they are taking Eliquis? (They have a history of DVT and a few episodes of a-fib while hospitalized for COVID but no heart issues since recovering). The MM sheet says Warfarin and other anticoagulants but you've stated that Eliquis is usually not as much of a concern as Warfarin so I just wanted to double-check. Also do you think that capsules of Dan Shen are effective? Thank you!! Donna

Yes, I would have some concerns about Dan Shen and Eliquis. While it is not as problematic as warfarin it is still concerning. It depends on what in the capsules - powdered herb, extract, standardized extract ?

Thank you. I was looking at the "Full Spectrum Salvia" by Planetary Herbals. Ingredients are: Chinese Salvia Root 760 milligrams, Chinese Salvia Root Extract 260 milligrams. Other Ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, silica, and modified cellulose gum. Dose is one capsule BID. Do you think tincture would be better? Thanks very much!! https://www.amazon.com/Planetary-Herbals-Salvia-milligrams-Tablets/dp/B001B7C586/ref=sr_1_18?keywords=planetary+herbals+full+spectrum+salvia&qid=1651770755&sprefix=salvia+full+%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-18

While this looks like a well made product, the answer to your question is not that simple, it depends on who is taking it. For someone who cannot take alcohol, yes it is a better choice, for someone with digestive issues, hard pills like this are difficult to digest and a tincture would be far better. If you want to create synergy and use it in a formula, than a tincture, or extract granules would be a better choice. These are hard protein coated tablets, not capsules.

Thank you! And sorry, I got confused there. By "would tincture be better," I was referring to whether the form (tincture) would be less problematic with the blood thinner than, say, a standardized extract or these tablets. When you said, "it depends what's in the capsules, powdered herb, extract, standardized extract," I thought you meant that there was a spectrum related to the blood-thinning issue that was dependent on form (forgetting that I asked earlier whether capsules were effective). So you would still avoid an interaction like this when it is a small part of a larger formula (because I am assuming this is not something you can compensate for, correct)? For ex., Dan Shen is one part of a 7+ part formula for degenerative kidney disease on the Epimedium MM sheet. If you had a client with CKD who was also on a blood thinner, would you avoid this formula or sub the Dan Shen for something else? I would think so, but would appreciate the clarification. Thanks so much.

I would only use Dan Shen in a person talking Eliquis, if I was working with the cardiologist , fully understood the case and used it in a small amount as part of a larger formula. While Eliquis is safer than warfarin, it is still an issue to combine it with other substances that can thin blood.