Dried Sophora Root Slices Ku Shen 500g Bulk Raw Herb for Traditional Decoctions

Dried Sophora Root Slices, known in TCM as Ku Shen (苦参), from Sophora flavescens. These cut root slices are a classic raw Chinese herb supplied in bulk loose form. In TCM theory, Ku Shen is considered bitter and cold and is traditionally associated with clearing heat and drying dampness. Traditionally prepared by decoction in herbal formulas. Store sealed in a cool dry place. This product is a food-grade agricultural product and is not intended to replace medicine.

Key Selling Points

• Authentic Ku Shen (苦参) dried root slices from Sophora flavescens
• Bulk loose 500g bag suitable for herbal shops and home decoction
• Traditional processing with slices cut from whole dried roots
• Traditionally associated in TCM with clearing heat and drying dampness
• Sourced from Shanxi province and stored sealed in cool dry conditions

Quality & Sensory

Typically pale yellow to yellow-brown slices with a fibrous, slightly woody texture and visible radial grain. The aroma is characteristically bitter and earthy, and decocted liquid typically carries a strongly bitter taste.

Technical Specifications

Usage Scenarios

• Simmered in traditional herbal decoctions
• Combined with other herbs in TCM formulas
• Used in external herbal washes in folk practice
• Stock ingredient for herbal dispensaries and wellness shops

Traditional Uses

In TCM practice, Ku Shen is traditionally used in decoctions and external washes, often paired with herbs such as Phellodendron (Huang Bai) or Dictamnus (Bai Xian Pi) in heat-clearing and damp-drying formulas. It has also been a common ingredient in folk sitz baths and topical rinses. Traditionally regarded as bitter and cold, it is usually combined with other herbs rather than taken alone for long periods.

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