Source Tongking Sophora Root is the dried root and rhizome of Sophora tonkinensis Gapnep (Fam. Leguminosae).
Producing Areas Guangxi, Guangdong, Guizhou and Yunnan, etc.
Properties Bitter, Cold, Poisonous
Channels Lung
Action
- Clears heat, removes toxins and soothes the throat
For painful and swollen throat. - Improves the lungs
For cough caused by heat in the lungs. - Reduces inflammation
Recently used to treat gingivitis, swelling of the uterine cervix, and cancer of the throat, lungs, and urinary bladder. - Clears damp-heat
For damp-heat jaundice.
Usage and Dosage
3 – 10g is used in decoction for oral use. The juice should be held in the mouth and slowly swallowed. Suitable amount of powder is used externally.
Notes Contraindicated in the case with asthenic cold of the spleen and stomach, sore throat due to asthenic fire.
If used excessively, it may cause vomiting, diarrhoea and palpitations.
Storage
Keep in a dry place. Protect from moths.
Description of Quality Herb
The good one is stout, hard and tough with brown colour surface and bitter flavour.
Professional Advice
Identifying Asiatic Moonseed Rhizome (Menispermum dauricum DC.) It is cylindrical and curved, 50cm long, 0.3 – 0.8cm in diameter, tough and hard to break. The surface is yellowish brown or dark brown. The cross-section is light yellow and irregular with radial marks. It is light in nature and bitter in flavour.