Sophora subprostrata comes from the family Legumes and its binomial name is Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep. Since sophora subprostrata root is the main medicinal part, medicinally it mainly refers to the dried roots and rhizomes. Hence, other names of this root herb include Sophora Root, Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis, Guang Dou Gen, and so on. In China it is basically produced in Guangxi, Guangdong, Jiangxi, and Guizhou. It can be collected throughout the year, in particular in autumn. And then it still requires removing impurities, washing, and drying. And it is normally used sliced and raw clinically.

Sophora subprostrata is a shrub, 1 to 2 meters in height. Pinnately compound leaf is alternate; leaflets are 11 to 17 in number, ovate or oblong-ovate, 1 to 2.5cm long, 0.5 to 1.5cm wide, and with a larger leaflet atop, sparsely pubescent upper side, and lower side covered with short dense gray-brown pubescence; small petiole is short and hairy. Axillary or acrogenous racemes are hairy; calyx is wide bell-shaped; corolla is butterfly-shaped and yellowish white; stamens are 10; ovary is densely pubescent, and with curved style and villous stigma. Pod looks like a string of beads or a chain of pearls. Bloom time is from May to June and fruiting time is from July to August. And its habitat is limestone mountain or rock crevices.

Sophora Subprostrata

SOPHORA SUBPROSTRATA HEALTH BENEFITS
From the point of view of traditional Chinese medicine, this herb is considered extremely bitter and cold on medicinal properties, which make it an ideal medicine for sore throat caused by the accumulation of heat toxic. And it goes to stomach meridian and is good at clearing stomach fire. As a result, sophora root, alone or in combination with other herbs, can be used to treat the swelling of the gums and tongue and mouth sores due to flaming stomach fire. What’s more, it still cures damp-heat jaundice, lung-heat cough, boils, and other conditions.

SOPHORA SUBPROSTRATA RECIPES ON HERBAL REMEDIES
The Chinese Pharmacopoeia believes that it is bitter in flavor and cold and toxic in nature. It covers meridians of lung and stomach. Elementary functions include clearing away heat and toxic materials, making a swelling go down, and relieve sore throat. Fundamental sophora subprostrata effects and indications are accumulation of fire toxin, swollen sore throat, and painful swollen gums around tooth. Recommended dosage is from 3 to 6 grams.

1) Shan Dou Gen Wan from Ren Zhai Zhi Zhi Fang Lun (Renzhai's Comprehensive Prescriptions). It is formulated with Da Huang (rhubarb), Sheng Ma (Black Cohosh), and Pu Xiao (Glauber’s salt) to treat lump-like sensation in their throat and sore throat due to accumulated heat.

2) Shan Dou Gen Tang from Ci You Xin Shu (A New Book of Benevolent Pediatrics). It is combined with She Gan (Belamcanda Rhizome), Mai Men Dong (Mondo Grass), Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthes Root), Gan Cao (Licorice Root), and Yuan Shen (radix scrophulariae) to cure the Taiyang and Shaoyin fire held back by wind-cold pathogen, which is mainly manifested as throat soreness, thick phlegm, and unbearable pain in throat.