Sophora subprostrata, an ideal TCM herb for sore throat

What is sophora subprostrata?
This plant 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 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. And its modern pharmacology has more to tell.

Modern pharmacological actions of sophora root
1) It has anti-cancer effect since it contains matrine and oxymatrine, which show inhibition on experimental tumor;
2) It has anti-ulcer effect. That being said, it can inhibit gastric acid secretion and effectively repair experimental ulcers;
3) It has inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella, E. coli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, vibrio cholera, leprosy bacillus, Epidermophyton floccosum, Candida albicans, and leptospira;
4) Anagyrine (C15H20ON2) and cytisine contained possess respiratory stimulant effect;
5) Oxymatrine and sophocarpine contained have strong anti-asthmatic effect;
6) It still can increase white blood cell count, treat an abnormal heart rhythm, diminish inflammation, and protect liver.