Figwort Root – 1 lb (454 g)

Figwort Root, known in Chinese as 玄参 (Xuánshēn) and scientifically as Radix Scrophulariae, is a valued herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This TCM herb has been traditionally used to support natural wellness, maintain vitality, and encourage holistic balance. At TCMforyou.com, we provide premium-quality Figwort Root carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Figwort Root helps promote overall well-being and supports natural energy, immunity, and balance. Integrating this herb into your wellness routine offers a gentle, time-tested approach to enhancing daily health. Whether brewed as tea, added to herbal remedies, or taken as part of a TCM formula, Figwort Root provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Figwort Root has been used in TCM to harmonize the body and encourage optimal functioning of key systems. At TCMforyou, we prioritize authenticity and quality. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency, delivering an herbal product aligned with traditional practices.

Experience the natural support of Figwort Root, promoting immune health, vitality, and holistic well-being. Embrace the wisdom of TCM and incorporate this gentle, effective herbal remedy into your daily wellness journey.

[Overview] This herb is also known as Yuanshen and Heishen. It is the root of Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl., a plant of the Scrophulariaceae family. It is produced in the Yangtze River basin of China and in Shaanxi, Fujian, and other regions. Harvest occurs in winter when the stems and leaves wither. The root is cleaned by removing rhizomes, young shoots, fibrous roots, and dirt, then sun-dried or baked until half dry, piled for 3 to 6 days, and repeatedly turned until fully dried.

[Properties] Bitter, sweet, and salty in taste; slightly cold in nature. Enters the Lung, Stomach, and Kidney meridians.

[Actions] Clears heat and cools the blood; nourishes yin and reduces fire; detoxifies and dissipates nodules.

[Applications]
1. Used for warm-heat diseases where heat enters the nutritive and blood levels, symptoms include fever, irritability, thirst, and rash. Commonly combined with Rehmanniae Radix (Sheng Di), Coptidis Rhizoma (Huang Lian), Forsythiae Fructus (Lian Qiao), as in Qing Ying Tang (Clear the Nutritive Level Decoction). For warm-heat disease invading the pericardium with delirium and coma, combined with Rhinoceros Horn, Forsythiae Fructus heart, Ophiopogonis Radix (Mai Dong), as in Qing Gong Tang (Clear the Palace Decoction). For warm-heat disease with simultaneous qi and blood blazing and rash, combined with Gypsum Fibrosum (Shi Gao), Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhi Mu), as in Hua Ban Tang (Transform Rash Decoction).
2. Used for heat injuring yin, fluid damage causing constipation, and bone-steaming cough. For heat injuring yin and fluids causing constipation, combined with Rehmanniae Radix (Sheng Di Huang) and Ophiopogonis Radix (Mai Dong), as in Zeng Ye Tang (Increase Fluids Decoction). For lung and kidney yin deficiency with bone-steaming cough, dry cough, and dry throat, combined with Lilii Bulbus (Bai He), Rehmanniae Radix (Sheng Di Huang), Fritillariae Bulbus (Bei Mu), etc.
3. Used for red swollen eyes, sore throat, scrofula with phlegm nodules, and carbuncles or ulcers. For liver meridian heat causing red swollen painful eyes, combined with Gardeniae Fructus (Zhi Zi), Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (Da Huang), Antelope Horn, etc. For sore throat caused by external wind-heat, commonly combined with Arctii Fructus (Niu Bang Zi), Platycodonis Radix (Jie Geng), Menthae Herba (Bo He); if caused by internal heat, combined with Ophiopogonis Radix (Mai Dong), Platycodonis Radix (Jie Geng), Glycyrrhizae Radix (Gan Cao), as in Xuanshen Gan Jie Tang (Xuanshen Sweet Orange Decoction). For scrofula with phlegm nodules, often combined with Ostreae Concha (Mu Li), Fritillariae Bulbus (Bei Mu), as in Xiao Luo Wan (Disperse Scrofula Pill). For carbuncles and ulcers, often combined with Lonicerae Flos (Yin Hua), Forsythiae Fructus (Lian Qiao), Violae Herba (Zi Hua Di Ding), as in Si Miao Yong An Tang (Four Marvels Brave Peace Decoction).

[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decoction, 9–15 g; or incorporated into pills or powders. External use: appropriate amount, crushed and applied topically; or powdered and mixed for topical application.

[Cautions] Contraindicated in cases of spleen and stomach deficiency cold, epigastric fullness, poor appetite, and loose stools. Antagonistic with Veratrum (Li Lu).

[Modern Research]
1. Chemical constituents include alkaloids, carbohydrates, sterols, amino acids, fatty acids, volatile oils, carotenoids, and vitamin A-like substances.
2. Pharmacological effects: Xuanshen exhibits hypotensive effects in anesthetized dogs, cats, rabbits, and other animals; increases coronary blood flow and hypoxia tolerance; has sedative, anticonvulsant, and antipyretic effects; shows significant inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Group B Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, etc.; also has anti-inflammatory, sedative, and anticonvulsant properties.
3. Clinical reports: Chronic pharyngitis treated with Xuanshen, Ophiopogonis Radix (Mai Dong), and Cassia Seed (Cao Jue Ming), decocted in boiling water. In a total of 100 cases treated, 78 were cured and 13 improved. [Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 1991, (3):171]