Ku Shen (Sophora Root)

Herb 5 of 7 in Herbs that Clear Heat and Dry Dampness

Channels:

BL, HT, LIV, LI, SI

Properties:

Bitter, Cold

Latin:

Radix Sophorae Flavescentis

Chinese:

苦参

Tone Marks:

kŭ shēn

Translation:

Bitter Root

Chinese Herb Actions

• Eliminates Heat and Dries Dampness
  Used for jaundice, acute dysentery, leukorrhea, and sores.
• Stops Wind, Itching, and Kills Parasites
  Used for damp skin toxins with chronic itching, genital itching and bacterial infections, trichomonas, ringworm, eczema, pus, and bleeding anywhere on the skin. Can be used both internally and topically.
• Promotes Urination
  For acute urinary tract infections due to heat, for patterns such as Damp-Heat in the small intestine, and heat induced edema.

Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions

• Do not use in cases of cold from deficiency of the spleen and stomach. Traditionally this herb is noted to be incompatible with Semen Cuscutae Chinensis (tu si zi), Rhizoma et Radix Veratri (li lu), and Bulbus Fritillariae (bei mu).

Herb-Drug Interactions

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Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose

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Chinese Herb Dosage

• 3-15 grams, up to 30g when used as an external wash.
• Part used: root.

This Herb Appears in the Following Formulas:

• Xiao Feng San (Eliminate Wind Powder from True Lineage)
  Category: Formulas that Release Wind from the Skin and Channels

• Li Lu (Radix Et Rhizoma Veratri)