The efficacy and function of Guangdou root

I don’t know if you are familiar with Guangdougen and whether you understand its effects and functions. Let’s analyze in detail the value and eating methods of Guangdougen.

【English Name】 Subprostrate Sophora Root

[Other names] Sophora flavescens, Rhizoma Coptidis

[Source] It is the root of Sophora subprostrata Chun et T.Chen of the Leguminosae family. Dig up the roots in autumn, remove the above-ground stems and leaves, and dry them.

【Original form】 Shrub, 1 to 2 meters high. Pinnate compound leaves are alternate, with 11 to 17 leaflets, ovate or oblong-ovate, 1 to 2.5 cm long, 0.5 to 1.5 cm wide, with the top leaflet being larger, sparsely pubescent above and densely gray-brown pubescent below; petiolules are short and hairy. The racemes are terminal and axillary, hairy; the calyx is broadly bell-shaped; the corolla is butterfly-shaped, yellow-white; there are 10 stamens; the ovary is densely pubescent, the style is curved, and the stigma is clustered with pubescent hairs. The pods are in the shape of beads. The flowering period is from May to June, and the fruiting period is from July to August.

[Habitat distribution] Grown in limestone mountains or rock cracks. Mainly produced in Guangxi.

[Properties] The rhizome is irregularly nodular, with the stem base or stem scar remaining at the top and several roots below. The root is oblong, slightly curved, 10 to 35 cm long and 0.3 to 1.5 cm in diameter; the surface is brown to brown-black with longitudinal wrinkles and long transverse lenticels. The texture is hard, the bark is light brown in cross section, and the wood is yellowish white. It has a slight bean smell and tastes very bitter.

[Chemical composition] Contains matrine, oxymatrine, N-methylcytisine, anagyrine, sophoranone, sophoranochromene, sophoradin, pterocarpine, maackiain, etc.

【Nature and flavor】Cold in nature, bitter in taste.

【Functions and indications】 Clears heat and detoxifies, reduces swelling and relieves pain. Used for sore throat and gums, lung heat, cough, thirst, jaundice, and constipation due to heat.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

Through the above introduction, I found that Guangdougen has so many pharmacological effects, and it also has good effects on some diseases. In fact, there may be many "treasures" around our lives, but most of the time we don’t have a heart that is good at discovering them.