Vietnamese sophora root (SHAN DOU GEN)-Sophora tonkinensis-Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis

Vietnamese sophora root (SHAN DOU GEN)

Sophora tonkinensis Gapnep. (Fam. Fabaceae)

1. Root; 2. Branch with flowers; 3. Fruit

Pharmaceutical Name:

Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis

Botanical Name:

Sophora tonkinensis Gapnep. (Fam. Fabaceae)

Common Name:

Vietnamese sophora root

Part Used:

Root and rhizome

Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis is produced mainly in the provinces of Guangxi, Guangdong, Jiangxi, and Guizhou. It is collected in autumn, dried in sunlight, cleaned, sliced, and used unprepared.

Properties  Taste & Meridians:

Bitter in flavor, cold in property, acts on the Lung channel.

Functions:

Removes Toxic Heat, soothes the throat, reduces swelling pain.

Indications & Combinations:

1. For sore throat and painful swelling of the gums due to accumulation of Toxic Heat. This is the most important herb for treating sore throat. It can be used alone or with Radix Scrophulariae (Xuan Shen), Rhizoma Belamcandae (She Gan), and Radix Isatidis (Ban Lan Gen).

Dosage and administration:

6–10 g, decocted in water for an oral dose, or ground into powder for external use.

Precautions:

Contraindicated for use in patients with loose stools or other symptoms of Cold and Deficient Spleen and Stomach.

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