Ku Shen (Sophora flavescens) — Dried Root Slices, Powder & Whole Root for Tea, Congee & Soup

Ku Shen (Sophora flavescens), known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as Kǔ Shēn (苦参), is the dried root of a bitter, cooling herb long revered in Chinese herbal practice. Also called Sophora Root or Bitter Root, Ku Shen has been prized for centuries as a bitter-cold herb used to clear damp-heat, cool the blood, and support the body's natural balance. Its nature is bitter and cold, entering the Heart, Liver, Stomach, Large Intestine, and Bladder channels, making it a focused herb for drying dampness and settling internal heat. Offered as slices, powder, or whole root, it is a versatile food-herb ingredient for daily tea, congee, and soup preparation.

Key Selling Points

• Traditional bitter-cold food herb
• Available as slices, powder, or whole root
• Sophora flavescens root
• Naturally sun-dried, clean quality
• Suitable for tea, congee, and soup

Quality & Sensory

Each batch is naturally sun-dried to preserve its pale yellow-brown color, firm fibrous texture, and mild earthy aroma. The slices are evenly cut and the powder is finely milled, releasing a distinctly bitter, slightly woody scent. When decocted or simmered, Ku Shen yields a deep amber infusion with a strong, clean bitterness that softens when paired with jujube, licorice, or other sweet herbs.

Technical Specifications

Usage Scenarios

• Herbal tea blends
• Congee and grain porridge
• Chinese-style soup and broth
• Seasonal slow-cooking
• Soup-pack ingredient

Traditional Uses

In folk herbal practice, Ku Shen is decocted into teas, soups, and congee to support the body's natural balance during damp or warm seasons. It is a common ingredient in traditional herbal washes and foot soaks, where it is simmered alone or paired with herbs like phellodendron, cnidium, and smilax. As a daily tea, it is brewed in small amounts and often blended with jujube or licorice to soften its intense bitterness.

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