Salvia haematodes, Red Behen
Meadow Sage
Behman Surkh (Red behen, Unani)
Behman Safaid (White Behen, Unani)
Red Behen
New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563
Red Behen
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
Limonium maritimum (Sea Lavender) is often listed as a source of Red Behen
(Source New York Public Library‘s Digital Library) (Wikimedia)
Red Behen root
(Calcutta Unani College, Adam, 2019)
Botanical name:
Salvia haematodes (syn. Salvia pratensis subsp. haematodes)
White Behen is Centaurea behen
Parts used:
Root
Comes from Syria, cut in pieces; like a wild Parsnip; brown internally and externally
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Sweet, Pungent.
Uses:
1. Benefits Kidneys, Strengthens Yang:
-Impotence
2. Tonifies Spleen, Increases Qi:
-weakness, poor digestion
3. Nourishes the Blood, Benefits the Heart and Liver:
-Liver and Blood tonic
Dose:
Comment:
Substitutes:
Main Combinations:
1. Aphrodisiac:
i. combine both Behens with … available in PRO version
ii. for those with a cold and moist temperament, both Behens with … available in PRO version
2. To Warm and strengthen the Kidneys, both Behens with … available in PRO version
3. Infertility, both Behens with … available in PRO version
4. To warm and strengthen the Heart, both Behens with … available in PRO version
5. To promote Happiness, both Behens with … available in PRO version
Major Formulas:
Powder of Musk Sweet (Diamoschu Dulce) (Mesue)
Powder to Warm the Heart
Cordial Powder
Warming Powder of Gems (Mesue)
Warming Pearl Powder (Diamargariton Calidum) (Avicenna)
Powder to Ascertain if Pregnant (Gabelhover)
Letificans Almansoris (Rhasis)
Restorative of Nicholas (Pleres Arconticon) (Nicholas)
Electuary of Pearl (Avicenna)
Electuary of Gems (Mesue)
Electuary of Aloeswood (Diaxyloaloes) (Mesue)
Electuary for Sadness and Worry
Electuary for a Duke (Electuarium Ducis) (Nicholas)
Confection for Impregnation (Renodeus)
Antidote for Cold Lumbar, for Venery, and Defect of Semen (Nicholas)
Triphala Electuary Greater (Unani)
Triphera of the Saracens (Triphera Saracenica Magna)
Cautions:
Generally safe.
Large doses or long-term use are unsuitable for those with a hot temperament.
Toxicity
Oral LD50 in mice was 2.3 g/kg body weight.
Main Preparations used:
GENERAL / REVIEW
–Pharmacological studies on Salvia haematodes Wall.
–Study on Chemical Composition and Biological Activity of Salvia Haematodes
ANTIBACTERIAL
–Evaluation of Salvia haematodes Linn for their anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-lipoxygenase and anti-cholinesterase activity
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
–Evaluation of Salvia haematodes Linn for their anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-lipoxygenase and anti-cholinesterase activity
ANTIOXIDANT
–Evaluation of Salvia haematodes Linn for their anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-lipoxygenase and anti-cholinesterase activity
ANALGESIC (SIGNIFICANT)
–A Study on CNS Depressant Acitivity of Salvia haematodes Wall
ANTICONVULSANT
–A Study on CNS Depressant Acitivity of Salvia haematodes Wall
MEMORY
–Protective effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Salvia haematodes Wall root on cognitive functions in scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats.
COGNITIVE FUNCTION
–A traditional poly-herbal formulation improves cognitive function in C57BL/6 mice
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
–An Insight into Salvia haematodes L. (Lamiaceae) Bioactive Extracts Obtained by Traditional and Green Extraction Procedures.
–Evaluation of Salvia haematodes Linn for their anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-lipoxygenase and anti-cholinesterase activity
DIABETES
–Chemical and Biological Studies on Antidiabetic Single Plants and Composite Herbal Preparations
HYPOXIA
–A Study on CNS Depressant Acitivity of Salvia haematodes Wall
MALE SEXUAL ENHANCEMENT
–Effect of Salvia haematodes on sexual behaviour of male rats.
–Dose-dependent effects of ethanol extract of Salvia haematodes Wall roots on reproductive function and copulatory behaviour in male rats.
–Botanical therapies in sexual dysfunction
–An evidence‐based approach to medicinal plants for the treatment of sperm abnormalities in traditional P ersian medicine’
–Indian Medicinal Plants: Therapeutic Alternatives for Fertility Enhancement
