Shan Dou Gen山豆根
Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma · Vietnamese Sophora Root · Bushy Sophora Root
Overview
The root and rhizome of a southern sophora, intensely bitter and cold, entering Lung and Stomach. It has one classical job and does it forcefully: clearing heat and toxicity out of a throat that is red, swollen and painful enough to make swallowing difficult, and cooling the mouth and gums when heat has flared there. It is also a toxic herb with a narrow window between the effective dose and the harmful one — the pharmacopoeia records it as toxic, poisoning from overdose is well documented, and it is a prescription-only herb, never a self-chosen throat remedy.
Nature & Flavor
Bitter · Cold · ToxicChannels
Lung · StomachTypical Dosage
3–6 g in decoctionActions
3 core actions
- Clears heat and resolves toxicityA hot, red, swollen throat with pain on swallowing, tonsillar swelling and, in the classical descriptions, sores and abscesses in the throat.
- Eases the throat and reduces swellingIts focus is narrow — the throat and, secondarily, the mouth and gums — which is why prescriptions rarely give it for anything else.
- Clears heat from Lung and StomachMouth ulcers, swollen painful gums and toothache from Stomach heat; cough from Lung heat as a secondary use.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Shan Dou Gen
No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Red, swollen, painful throat with difficulty swallowing
- Swollen tonsils from heat and toxicity
- Mouth ulcers and swollen, painful gums
- Cough from Lung heat (secondary use)
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
This is a toxic herb. The margin between an effective dose and a harmful one is small: overdose causes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, unsteadiness, tremor and, in serious cases, damage to the liver and the nervous system. Take only the amount and the number of days the practitioner has prescribed, never increase it because the throat is still sore, and never self-medicate with it. Avoid it in liver disease, in Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold with loose stools, and in frail patients and children except under close supervision. It must not be confused with Bei Dou Gen (Menispermi Rhizoma), a different plant sold under a similar name. A throat that is closing, drooling, a muffled voice or difficulty breathing is an emergency — go to hospital, do not decoct herbs. Stop at once and seek medical care for vomiting, dizziness or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy — it is a toxic, bitter cold herb and is not taken while pregnant or breastfeeding.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only
References
- 《中华人民共和国药典》.
2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
3. Cura x Cura dispensary monograph record.
Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.