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Sophora flavescens - Aiton.                  
                   
Common Name Ku Shen
Family Leguminosae
Synonyms S. angustifolia. Sieb.&Zucc.
Known Hazards The plant contains cytosine, which resembles nicotine and is similarly toxic[238]. The plant is poisonous when used in quantity[74, 174].
Habitats Scrub on mountain slopes, river valleys[74], especially on sandy soils[11]. Grassy places in lowland and waste ground, C. and S. Japan[58].
Range E. Asia - Russia to China.
Edibility Rating  
Medicinal Rating  
Care
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun

Summary        

Physical Characteristics        
 icon of manicon of shrub
An evergreen Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a slow rate.
It is hardy to zone 6. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Jul to August, and the seeds ripen in September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.It can fix Nitrogen.


The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil.The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils..It cannot grow in the shade.It requires moist soil.



  
Habitats        
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;
Edible Uses                                          
None known
Medicinal Uses


Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Anthelmintic;  Antibacterial;  Antifungal;  Antipruritic;  Astringent;  Bitter;  Carminative;  Diuretic;  Febrifuge;  Parasiticide;  Pectoral;  
Stomachic;  Tonic;  Parasiticide.

The root is anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal, antipruritic, astringent, bitter, carminative, diuretic, febrifuge, parasiticide, pectoral, stomachic and tonic[61, 147, 174, 176, 178, 218, 279]. It is used internally in the treatment of jaundice, dysentery, diarrhoea and urinary infections[238]. It is used both internally and externally in the treatment of vaginitis, eczema, pruritis, ringworm, leprosy, syphilis, scabies and itching allergic reactions[238]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[238]. The plant is anthelmintic and diuretic[218]. It also has antibacterial activity, inhibiting the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Trichomonas vaginitis[176, 218].
Other Uses
Parasiticide;  Insecticide;  Parasiticide.

The plant is a source of an insecticide and parasiticide[74, 176]. No further details.
Cultivation details                                          
Succeeds in a well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun[200]. Requires the protection of a sunny wall if it is to flower[182], and succeeds only in the mildest areas of the country. It grows best in the warmer areas of the country where the wood will be more readily ripened and better able to withstand winter cold[219]. Although hardy to at least -15°c[238], this species does not do very well in the relatively cool summers of Britain, the plant gradually weakens and eventually succumbs[11]. It can be grown in the milder areas of the country and be treated like a herbaceous perennial, growing afresh from the base each spring[233]. An important medicinal herb in China[61]. Plants should be container-grown and planted out whilst young, older plants do not transplant well[219]. A polymorphic species[58]. The flowers are produced on the current years growth[182]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200].
                                                                                   
Propagation                                          
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[200]. Pre-soak stored seed for 12 hours in hot (not boiling) water and sow in late winter in a greenhouse[78]. Prick out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle into individual pots in the greenhouse, and grow them on for 2 years under protected conditions. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer of their third year. Cuttings of young shoots with a heel, July/August in a frame[11]. Air-layering[200].
Expert comment                                          
 
       
Author                                          
Aiton.
                                                                                   
Botanical References                                          
74200266
                                                                                   
Links / References                                          

[11]Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
[58]Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation)
The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
[61]Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
[74]Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR.
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers.
[78]Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
[147]? A Barefoot Doctors Manual.
A very readable herbal from China, combining some modern methods with traditional chinese methods.
[174]Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
A good Japanese herbal.
[176]Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas.
An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.
[178]Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica.
A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.
[182]Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos.
Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.
[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[218]Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
[219]Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls
A nice little book about plants for growing against walls and a small section on plants that can grow in walls.
[233]Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
[238]Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
[279] Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea
An excellent book with terse details about the medicinal uses of the plants with references to scientific trials. All plants are described, illustrated and brief details of habitats given.

Readers comment                                          
 
Elizabeth H.
Juan Algarte Sun Jul 17 16:19:54 2005
Materia Medica by Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble ISBN: 0-939616-15-7
Elizabeth H.
Ing. Jorge Beltran Wed Aug 19 2009
I'm Ing. Jorge Beltrán, from Aguascalientes, México I work for Bernilabs I want to find a person who obtain and sell the extract from Sophora that is responsible of the insecticide effect. My mail is jbebeltran@bernilabs.com
Elizabeth H.
ashraf odeh Sat Sep 19 2009
plz we can use Sophora flavescens for ejaculation product or not
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Subject : Sophora flavescens  
               

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