Kǔ Shēn (苦参) — Sophora flavescens Root
By Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto — registered Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner (BAcC, RCHM) with over 25 years’ clinical experience.
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Key formulas
- Cautions
- Treatment at my clinic
- Frequently asked questions
1. Overview
Kǔ Shēn (苦参) — the root of Sophora flavescens — is a bitter, cold Chinese herb that clears Damp-Heat, kills parasites and relieves itching. It is used internally for Damp-Heat dysentery, jaundice and urinary infection, and topically for eczema, psoriasis, scabies, fungal infections, vaginal Damp-Heat and pruritus. Its alkaloid matrine has substantial modern pharmacological literature for its anti-inflammatory, anti-arrhythmic and dermatological applications.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Kǔ Shēn |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 苦参 |
| Latin name | Radix Sophorae Flavescentis |
| English name | Sophora flavescens root |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Bitter |
| Channels entered | Heart, Liver, Stomach, Large Intestine, Bladder |
| Category | Clear Heat, dry Damp |
| Dosage | 3–10 g, decocted; topical washes 15–30 g |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Clears Heat and dries Damp — for Damp-Heat dysentery, jaundice, leukorrhoea with Damp-Heat and urinary infection.
- Kills parasites and relieves itching — topical use in eczema, psoriasis, fungal infection, scabies, trichomoniasis. Often decocted as a sitz bath or wash.
- Promotes urination — for difficult urination with Damp-Heat.
4. Key formulas
- Ku Shen Tang — topical wash for Damp-Heat skin conditions.
- Often combined with She Chuang Zi, Bai Xian Pi and Di Fu Zi in pruritic formulas.
- Modern matrine and oxymatrine injections are used in Chinese hospitals for hepatitis support and dermatology.
5. Cautions
Bitter and very cold — injures Stomach Qi and Yang. Contraindicated in patients with Spleen Yang deficiency, cold-pattern diarrhoea or weak digestion. Antagonised by Li Lu. Contraindicated in pregnancy.
6. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Ku Shen primarily as part of granule formulas and topical washes for Damp-Heat skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis and vaginal pruritus. Online Chinese herbal consultations are available. See prices for costs.
7. Frequently asked questions
What is Ku Shen used for?
Ku Shen is a very bitter, cold herb used to clear Heat, dry Damp, kill parasites and stop itching. It is traditionally used for damp-heat diarrhoea and dysentery, jaundice, damp-heat urinary problems, and hot, itchy, weeping skin conditions and vaginal itch (often applied as a wash).
What are the benefits of Ku Shen?
Its strong damp-heat-clearing and itch-stopping action makes it a key herb for inflammatory, weeping skin problems such as eczema, whether taken internally or used as an external wash.
How is Ku Shen taken?
Typically 4.5–9g in decoction, or used externally as a wash. Because it is intensely bitter and cold, it is dosed carefully within a formula.
Are there any cautions with Ku Shen?
Its very cold, bitter nature can harm a weak, cold digestion, so it is not suitable for Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold. Traditionally it is not combined with Li Lu (veratrum).
