Can Sophora flavescens be consumed by steeping directly in water?
Apr 15, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, Sophora flavescens (Ku Shen) can be directly steeped in water for consumption, but it should be taken in moderation. Sophora flavescens is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb that is cold in nature and bitter in taste. It enters the Heart, Liver, Stomach, Large Intestine, and Bladder meridians, and has functions including clearing heat and drying dampness, killing parasites and relieving itching, and promoting diuresis. It is commonly used to treat conditions such as damp-heat diarrhea, hematochezia, jaundice, eczema and skin ulcers, skin itching, damp-heat urinary pain, and urinary retention.
Generally, Sophora flavescens can be directly steeped in water for consumption, but it should be consumed in moderation. Detailed explanation is as follows:
Sophora flavescens is a traditional Chinese herb. It is cold in nature, bitter in taste, and enters the heart, liver, stomach, large intestine, and bladder meridians. It has effects of clearing heat, drying dampness, killing parasites, relieving itching, and promoting diuresis. It is commonly used to treat conditions such as damp-heat diarrhea, rectal bleeding, jaundice, eczema, skin rashes, skin itching, damp-heat urinary pain, and urinary retention.
For individuals suffering from the above conditions, moderate consumption of Sophora flavescens steeped in water may aid in recovery. However, Sophora flavescens has strong medicinal effects, and consuming it directly as a steeped beverage may have certain effects on the body. Therefore, it's important to fully understand its properties and potential risks before use.
It is important to consume Sophora flavescens in moderation, as it is cold in nature. Excessive consumption may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and may even lead to diarrhea. Therefore, it is recommended to control the dosage each time to avoid overdose. Individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children should use Sophora flavescens tea cautiously. These groups have specific health conditions, and the cold nature of Sophora flavescens may have adverse effects on them.
