- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- South and Southeast Asia and southern China
- Traditions
- Chinese medical traditions
Asia · Herb · № 691
Sophora tonkinensis
Herb · Asia
Tonkin sophora root (shan dou gen)
Sophora tonkinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: cools fire in the upper body in a swollen, painful throat and gums.
Safety notes
Toxic or risky: only under expert supervision. Deliberately no dosage is given here. Not during pregnancy or for diarrhoea from spleen qi deficiency. Nerve and liver poisoning has been reported even at usual doses. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Chinese materia medica: Toxic: do not use yourself.
Preparation
Root. Deliberately no dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that cool heat and detoxify'. Shan dou gen is a very bitter remedy for an inflamed, sore throat. It is poisonous in higher doses and can cause nausea and nervous symptoms.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- bitter, cold
- Meridians
- heart, lung, large intestine
Attributed effects
Cools fire and 'toxin' in the upper body in a swollen, painful throat and gum inflammation, and cough from lung heat.
Preparation and amount
Deliberately no dosage is given here: only under the supervision of a qualified therapist.
Combinations
- With burdock seed and platycodon for sore throat
Caution: Toxic: do not use yourself.