Evidence supporting the use of: Sophora flavescens
For the health condition: Colds (with fever)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Sophora flavescens (Ku Shen) has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it is considered a bitter and cold herb often prescribed to "clear heat," "dry dampness," and "eliminate toxins." Within traditional frameworks, it is sometimes used as part of multi-herb formulations intended to treat symptoms associated with "wind-heat" or "toxic heat," which may include manifestations like fever, sore throat, or respiratory discomfort—symptoms that overlap with the common cold. However, its primary uses in TCM are more often for skin conditions, dysentery, and some types of inflammation, rather than for the common cold specifically. There is limited direct reference in classical or modern TCM texts to using Sophora flavescens alone to treat colds with fever, but it may appear as a minor component in broader formulas for such conditions.

Regarding scientific validation, current biomedical research on Sophora flavescens focuses primarily on its alkaloids (e.g., matrine, oxymatrine) and their anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest these compounds can modulate immune responses or inhibit certain pathogens. However, there is no strong clinical evidence or large-scale human trials directly supporting the use of Sophora flavescens for treating colds or fevers. Thus, while its use for colds with fever is rooted in traditional practices, scientific support for this specific indication is minimal.

More about Sophora flavescens
More about Colds (with fever)

Other ingredients used for Colds (with fever)

Aloe vera
green chiretta
anthocyanins
basil
bilberry
black cumin
black currant
blueberry
capsaicinoids
chamomile
citrus oil
clove
coconut milk
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
green tea
lemon
licorice root
pear
plantain
pomegranate
quercetin
rhizome
rosemary
sage
Sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
vitamin D
Zinc
xanthium (cockleburs)
Mugwort
nut grass
alpinia galangal
pistacia integerrima gall
blackboard tree
boxthorne
buckthorn
Yerba santa
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
Trichosanthes
aster root
indigo leaves
avens
Agastache
Ardisia
Acacia
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Ajuga
andrographolide
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Asteraceae
Amor seco
Arani
atractylone
bermuda grass
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
bishop\'s weed
bayleaf
black galingale
bitter grass
bael
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bur-reed
bee products
black nightshade
Bassia scoparia
capillary artemisia
Chinese raisintree
cowherb
Cistus
common madia
cinnamaldehyde
Celosia
chrysophanics
dragonhead
Eclipta
fruit
flavoglycosides
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
Glechoma hederacea
honey
hemp
Horsemint
isoquinoline alkaloids
Isatis
long pepper
Indian fagonia
Laggera pterodonta
luffa
lodhtree
little ironweed
Ligusticum
linalool
Lewis's monkey flower
mallow
Melia
Monoterpenes
Mushroom
Oroxylum indicum
Onosma bracteatum
Oxystelma
Phenylpropanoids
Paris polyphylla
Peucedanum
Pansit-pansitan
Piper nigrum
Sesbania
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Sesquiterpenes
Sweet Annie
Salvia
Southern Tsangshu
Solanum indicum
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Shogaol
Scabrous Gentian
Tea
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Umckaloabo
Vervain
Viola
Water Pepper
Winter Savory
Zingiberene
Zingerone

Products containing Sophora flavescens

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.