Xuan Shen (Radix Scrophulariae) is from the root of Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl, family Scrophulariaceae. The roots are dug and collected in the early stage of winter and piled up in the sun until the interior of the roots turn black. They are then sun-dried, cut into pieces and used in their crude form.
Category: Heat Clearing – Blood Cooling.
Common Name: Scrophularia; Ningpo Figwort Root.
Channels Entered: Lung, Stomach and Kidney.
Properties and Functions: Xuan Shen is bitter, sweet and salty in flavour, and cold in nature. It has the functions of clearing Heat and cooling the Blood; nourishing Yin and promoting the production of body fluids; relieving toxins and benefiting the throat.
Indications: Xuan Shen is used clinically for the treatment of:
- Seasonal febrile disease affecting the Ying and Xue levels, consuming Yin and causing Blood-Heat, which manifest with fever, dry eyes and red-crimson tongue and sometimes with skin rashes.
- Heat type carbuncles, scrofula, subcutaneous nodules and swelling.
- Lung and Kidney Yin deficiency manifesting as cough, dryness of the throat, tidal fever, night sweats and hemoptysis.
- Sore and swollen throat due to external Wind-Heat or from deficient Heat of the lung channel.
Dosage: 10 – 15g
Cautions and Contra-Indications: Contra-indicated in cases with Cold-Dampness of the Spleen and Stomach with loss of appetite and loose stool. It is incompatible with Lilu.