Ku Shen (Sophora Root) - Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese Name: Ku Shen
English Name: Sophora Root

Clinical Usage and Indications

  • Clears heat, dries dampness - dysentery, leukorrhea, jaundice, sores.
  • Expels wind, kills parasites, stops itching - for damp toxin skin lesions or infestations with chronic itching, seepage, and bleeding; genital itching and vaginal discharge.
  • Clears heat, promotes urination - for damp-heat in the small intestine, lin syndrome, hot edema.

Functional Groups (Click for Summary/Study Notes)

Dosage and Preparation Notes

  • Dosage: 3-15g

Channels/Meridians Influenced

Associated Temperature and Taste

Cautions and Contraindications

There are currently no contraindications listed.

Staff Clinician Notes

There are no additional notes for this herb.

Herbal Formulas Which Include This Herb

Below you will find Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal formulas which contain this particular herb (in alphabetical order). You may click on the name of the formula for more details or click on any of the products from our store to read usage information or purchase a particular formula.

  • Fu Fang Qing Dai Wan

    Formula Functions...  

    Coming Soon...


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  • Xiao Feng Wan

    Formula Functions...  

    Itchy and red skin lesions, possibly with weeping, comprising such conditions as psoriasis, eczema, acne, dermatitis, etc.

    The Pulse will generally be forceful, floating and rapid and the Tongue will have a yellow or white tongue coating.


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