Introduction of Ku Shen: Light-yellow Sophora Root

 ✵The article records the herb Light-Yellow Sophora Root—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical source—one plant species: Sophora flavescens Ait., along with a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this species; as well as the macroscopic characteristics of the herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.

Radix Sophorae Flavescentis (Light-Yellow Sophora Root)

 Pinyin Name: Kǔ Shēn
 English Name: Light-Yellow Sophora Root
 Latin Name: Radix Sophorae Flavescentis
 Properties and Flavor: Cold, bitter

 Brief Introduction: Radix Sophorae Flavescentis is the dried root of Sophora flavescens Ait., used to clear heat, dry dampness, expel parasitic worms, and promote diuresis—indicated for acute dysentery, jaundice, morbid leukorrhea, and, topically, for eczema and scabies. It is commonly known as Radix Sophorae Flavescentis, Light-Yellow Sophora Root, or Kǔ Shēn.

 Botanical Source: Radix Sophorae Flavescentis (Light-Yellow Sophora Root) is the dried root of Sophora flavescens Ait., a plant of the genus Sophora, family Fabaceae (Leguminosae, legume or pea family), order Fabales. This commonly used species is described below:

(1).Sophora flavescens Ait.

 Botanical Description: Sophora flavescens Ait. is also known as Sophora angustifolia Sieb. et Zucc. It belongs to the family Fabaceae (Leguminosae, legume or pea family) and genus Sophora. Common names include Light-Yellow Sophora, Shrubby Sophora, or simply Sophora flavescens. It is a deciduous subshrub growing up to 1.5–3 m tall. The root is cylindrical, with yellowish-white outer bark. Stems are erect and much-branched, bearing longitudinal grooves; young branches are sparsely pubescent and become glabrous with age. Leaves are imparipinnate, 20–25 cm long, alternate; leaflets 15–29, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, 3–4 cm long and 1.2–2 cm wide; apex is acuminate, base is rounded, short-petiolate, entire; abaxial surface is densely appressed-pilose; stipules are linear.

 Inflorescences are terminal racemes, 15–20 cm long, covered with short pubescence; bracts are linear. Calyx is campanulate (bell-shaped), oblate, 6–7 mm long, slightly oblique, apex 5-lobed. Corolla is papilionaceous (butterfly-shaped), light yellowish-white; vexillum is spatulate (spoon-shaped); alae are lacking auricles and equal in length to the keel (carina); 10 stamens with free filaments; 1 pistil with superior ovary; ovary stalklet is pubescent; style is cylindrical.

 Fruits are linear legumes with a rostrum (beak) at the apex, indehiscent at maturity, 5–8 cm long. Seeds are usually 3–7 per pod, slightly shriveled, black, resembling inconspicuous beads, sparsely pubescent. Flowering occurs from May to July; fruiting from July to mid-September.

 Ecological Environment: Grows on sandy or sunny grassy slopes, hillsides, mountain slopes, and gully margins.

 Growth Characteristics: Soil requirements are not stringent; it thrives in sandy loam or clay loam. As a deep-rooted plant, it prefers sites with low groundwater level and good drainage. Seedlings of the same year rarely flower; leaves turn yellow and abscise in winter, entering dormancy; regreening and resuming growth occur in spring. Buds bloom in June; fruits mature from July to mid-August; the annual vegetative period lasts approximately 210 days.

 Characteristics of the Herb: Roots are long-cylindrical, often branched distally, 10–30 cm long and 1–2.5 cm in diameter. Surface is brown to taupe-brown (grayish brown), with longitudinal wrinkles and transverse lenticels. Cork layer is thin, frequently fractured and reflexed (rolled back), easily peeled off, exposing yellow inner bark. Texture is hard and tough, not readily broken; fracture is fibrous. Slices are 3–6 mm thick; cross-section is yellowish-white with prominent radial vascular bundles. Odor is slight; taste intensely bitter.

 Pharmacological Actions: (1) Diuretic effect; (2) Antimicrobial activity: A high-concentration decoction inhibits Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro. An 8% decoction and a 1:3 aqueous infusion show varying degrees of inhibition against dermatophytes in vitro.

 Medicinal Efficacy: Clears heat, dries dampness, expels parasites, and promotes diuresis. It is indicated for damp-heat dysentery, hematochezia, jaundice, urinary difficulty, leukorrhea with reddish discharge, swelling and pruritus of the genital region, eczema, moist sores, pruritus cutaneus, scabies, leprosy, and—topically—for trichomonas vaginitis.

 Administration of Radix Sophorae Flavescentis (Kǔ Shēn): 
 

Reference:

Administration Guide of Radix Sophorae Flavescentis (Kǔ Shēn)

TCM Books:

(1) Internally: 4.5–9 grams. Topical: appropriate amount—wash affected area with aqueous decoction. (2) Internally: water decoction, 1.5–3 qián (≈4.5–9 grams); or prepared as pills or powder. Topical: wash with aqueous decoction. (3) Internally: water decoction, 3–10 grams; also formulated into pills or powder. Topical: appropriate amount—fumigation and washing with aqueous decoction; or apply powdered herb externally; or soak in wine and apply topically.  Contraindications, Precautions, and Adverse Reactions: *Radix Sophorae Flavescentis* should not be combined with Veratrum nigrum (Black False Hellebore).

 

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References:

• 1.Introduction of Ku Shen: Light-yellow Sophora Root.

 Edited and last revised: January 5, 2023