About shan dou gen

Shan Dou Gen (山豆根) is the root and rhizome of Tonkin sophora, a legume, recorded as Radix et Rhizoma Sophorae Tonkinensis. It is bitter in flavour and cold in temperature, entering the Lung and Large Intestine channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that clear Heat and relieve toxicity.

Pinyin

shan dou gen

Chinese

山豆根

Latin Name

Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis·Radix et Rhizoma Sophorae Tonkinensis

English Name

Bushy Sophora·euchresta japonica

Japanese

sanzukon

Korean

sandugeun·sangugeun

Actions and indications

Clears Heat, resolves Fire toxin and benefits the throat

Swollen, painful throat, including tonsillitis and pharyngitis presentations; taken alone or used as a gargle

Clears Heat, resolves Fire toxin and reduces swelling

Toxic sores, including abscesses and carbuncles
Cancers, especially of the throat and Lungs, and as an adjunct in bladder cancer
Applied externally to hot swellings, ulcers of the scalp, scabies, and snake, dog or spider bites
Gingivitis and swelling of the cervix

Benefits the Lungs

Cough from Lung Heat

Clears Damp-Heat and relieves jaundice

Damp-Heat jaundice

Combinations

ban lan gen

Severe swelling and pain of the throat, gums and teeth. Ulcers of the mouth and tongue

niu bang zi + jie geng

Sore, swollen throat

she gan

Phlegm-Heat in the throat: swollen sore throat with Phlegm that is hard to cough up

jin yin hua + lian qiao + huang lian

Abscesses and toxic sores.

xuan shen + she gan + ban lan gen

Severe sore throat.

ban zhi lian + bai hua she she cao

Throat or Lung cancer.

Age

Raw

Granule

Tincture

Concentrate

Frequency

Any 3-10g; Tincture: 2-4ml

3-10 g

—

2-4 ml

—

Cautions

contraindication Diarrhea, loose stools or poor appetite from Spleen deficiency with Cold

caution Has a well-documented record of acute poisoning, harming the nervous, digestive and respiratory systems; the margin between benefit and harm is narrow, so use only at a practitioner's direction and within pharmacopoeial dose limits

paediatric Children and adolescents are especially at risk: high doses or long use may cause serious brain damage

caution Unsuitable for self-medication or for casual folk and home remedies against colds and sore throat; any severe or lingering sore throat should be diagnosed first

caution Ku Shen and concentrated matrine or oxymatrine products carry the same alkaloids; taking more than one without a practitioner knowing stacks the dose

caution Classed as slightly toxic

shan dou gen

About shan dou gen

Names

Classification