Single Herb Glossary
Xuán Shēn 玄参
| Pharmaceutical name | Scrophulariae Ningpoensis Radix “dark ginseng” |
| Category | Clear Heat, Cool Blood |
| Key Properties | Enriches yin, Moistens dryness Drains fire, Resolves toxicity Softens hardness Transforms phlegm-heat Tropism to Throat |
| Properties | Salty Bitter Sweet Cold |
| Tropism | KD, LU, ST |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Clears Heat & Cools the Blood (Steaming bone) 2) Nourishes the Yin (Generate Fluid) 3) Softens Hardness & Dissipates Nodules (Scrofula) |
| Dosages | 9-15g |
| Contraindications (TCM) | CI: Cold-Damp in SP/ST |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Scrophularin, iridioid, harpagoside, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and stearic acid |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Antihypertensive: in dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals, water and alcohol extracts demonstrated antihypertensive action via vasodilation; oral ingestion of decoction at 2 g/kg twice daily effective in reducing blood pressure in dogs with renal hypertension; intravenous injection dilated blood vessels, decreased heart rate, and increased urine output in mice; alcohol extract increased blood flow to the coronary arteries and decreased oxygen requirement by the cardiac muscles • Antidiabetic: subcutaneous injection reduces blood glucose in rabbits • Antibiotic: A 50% decoction has inhibitory effect in vitro against S. aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and some pathogenic fungi • Others: sedative and antipyretic effects |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | • Incompatible with Li Lu (Veratri nigri Radix et Rhizoma) |
| Classical Formula(s) |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.