An ancient herb has become the first traditional Chinese medicine to be recognized by US health authorities, a pharmaceutical company has claimed.

Producers Tasly Pharmaceutical in Tianjin, China, says the US Food and Drug Administration has given approval for testing of medicine from the Danshen or Salvia Miltiorrhiza plant.

Medicine Fufang Danshen Diwan is undergoing tests by the US and the European Union authorities, the China Daily reported.

It is already available in 16 African countries for its curative effects, Tasly told the publication.

According to government figures, traditional Chinese medicine accounted for 177.2 billion yuan ($25.9 billion) in exports or approximately a quarter of pharmaceutical industrial output.

The National Institutes of Health says Danshen is used in mainland China for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

The organization recommends people on blood-thinning agent warfarin, refrain from taking Danshen as well.

Researchers say more Chinese medicine will enter the market following the standardization of the medication.