Kushen Radix Sophorae Flavescentis
The source is from the root of the Sophora flavescens Ait., family Leguminosae. The medicinal material is produced in all parts of China, collected in spring or autumn, cut into pieces, dried in the sun and the raw is used.
Medicinal Properties Bitter in flavor, cold in nature and attributive to the liver, stomach, large intestine and bladder meridians.
Actions Clear away heat and dry dampness, promote diuresis and kill worms.
Application
1. It is suitable for dysentery of dampness-heat type and jaundice with brownish urine. It can be used alone or combined with Muxiang (Radix Aucklandiae) and Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae ), such as Xiang Shen Wan (Pill) to treat the former syndrome; it is usually combined with Zhizi (Fructus Gardeniae), Yinchen (Herba Artemisiae Scopariae ) and Longdan ( Radix Gentianae ), etc. so as to remove dampness to cure jaundice in the treatment of jaundice; combined with Cheqianzi ( Semen Plantaginis ), Zexie ( Rhizoma Alismatis) and others that promote diuresis in the treatment of stranguria of dampness-heat type and dysuria.
2. It is used in the treatment of pruritus vuluae, eczema, and scabies. It can kill worms and arrest itching as well as clear away heat and eliminate dampness, so it is a common medicine to treat the above skin diseases, and can be used orally or externally. It is usually combined with Huangbai (Cortex Phellodendri ), Shechuangzi ( Fructus Cnidii) , etc..
Usage and Dosage 3 -10 g is used in decoction and just the right amount is used externally.
Notes Contraindicated for deficiency and cold of the spleen and stomach since it is more bitter and colder in property, and it's incompatible with Lilu (Rhizoma et Radix Veratri ) .
