Ku Shen
ku_shen.jpg

 

Ku Shen in TCM:

Explore the properties of Ku Shen according to Chinese
Nutrition and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):


Factoids:

English Name: sophora flavescens, light yellow sophora root
Pharmacuetical Name: Radix Sophorae Flavecentis
Properties: bitter, cold


Temperature: cold

Channels: LI, HT, SI, UB, LV

Flavors: bitter

Special Properties:
clears heat, clears damp, expels parasites


Actions / Indications:
  • Clears Damp Heat (for damp-heat toxicity or bloody stool dysenteric disorder, tenesmus; damp-heat vaginal discharge; diarrhea and dysentary; Ku Shen astringes to help prevent loss of body fluids)
  • Dispel wind; kills parasites; stop itching (urticaria, skin itching, STD, vaginal discharge, infestations with itching, damp toxins, Trichomonas vaginalis protozoan)
  • Clears heat; promotes urination (dysuria, PUD; dysuria during pregnancy combine with Dang Gui)

    Special Notes:
  • (Note: incompatible with Li Lu)
  • (Note: according to modern research, Ku Shen may be used for cardiac disease, such as arrhythmia due to myocarditis or tachycardia, often in combination with Zhi Gan Cao.)

Contraindications:
  • (cc: cold deficiency of ST and SP)
  • (cc: yin fluid deficiency)