Dried Sophora Root Slices Ku Shen 500g Bag Traditional Chinese Herb for Decoction and Herbal Tea

Dried Sophora Root Slices, known in TCM as Ku Shen (苦参), from Sophora flavescens. These cut root slices are a classic Chinese herbal ingredient traditionally valued for their bitter and cold nature, associated in TCM theory with clearing heat and drying dampness. Traditionally prepared by drying and slicing, they are commonly used in decoctions and herbal formulas. Store sealed in a cool dry place and use under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

Key Selling Points

• Authentic Ku Shen 苦参 dried Sophora flavescens root slices
• Sun-dried and sliced for convenient decoction preparation
• Traditionally associated in TCM with clearing heat and drying dampness
• 500g resealable bag suitable for regular herbal use
• Versatile ingredient for decoctions teas and external washes

Quality & Sensory

Slices typically show a yellowish-brown to grayish exterior with a pale yellow cut surface and a fibrous woody texture. The aroma is characteristically bitter and earthy, and the taste when decocted is distinctly bitter, as expected for this traditional root.

Technical Specifications

Usage Scenarios

• Simmer into traditional herbal decoctions
• Prepare as a bitter herbal tea infusion
• Use in external herbal washes as traditionally practiced
• Incorporate into customized TCM formulas

Traditional Uses

In traditional Chinese medicine, Ku Shen is traditionally associated with clearing heat, drying dampness, and supporting skin comfort. It has historically been prepared as a single-herb decoction or combined with other cooling herbs in classical formulas. Externally, the decocted liquid has been used in folk practice for herbal washes. Its bitter cold nature makes it a seasonal favorite in warm months according to traditional use.

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