Sophora flavescens, commonly known as Ku Shen, has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine for treating various skin conditions, including those suspected to be caused by fungal infections. However, beyond its traditional use, there is some scientific evidence supporting its antifungal activity. Laboratory (in vitro) studies have shown that extracts of Sophora flavescens, particularly the alkaloids matrine and oxymatrine, possess activity against several fungal species, including Candida albicans and Trichophyton species.

These studies suggest that Sophora flavescens may inhibit fungal growth by disrupting cell membranes and interfering with fungal metabolism. Despite these promising findings in the lab, the evidence is limited mostly to preclinical research. There are few, if any, high-quality human clinical trials evaluating the efficacy or safety of Sophora flavescens specifically for fungal infections. Therefore, while the antifungal potential is scientifically plausible and supported by laboratory data, strong clinical confirmation is lacking.

In summary, the use of Sophora flavescens for supporting or treating fungal infections is justified by both traditional practice and some preliminary scientific evidence, but the current scientific validation is modest (evidence rating: 2 out of 5) and mainly limited to non-human studies.