Xuán Shēn · Figwort Root
Xuán Shēn (玄参, Figwort Root) is a herb of Cool nature and Sweet, Bitter, Salty flavor, in the “Heat Clearing” category. Tradition uses it to cool blood and nourish Yin, Reducir el fuego y destoxificar, Suavizar las durezas y disolver las masas.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Xuán Shēn
- Characters
- 玄参
- Botanical name
- Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl.
- Family
- Scrophulariaceae
- Part used
- Root
- Nature
- Cool
- Flavor
- Sweet, Bitter, Salty
- Meridians
- Lung, Stomach, Kidney
- Category
- Heat Clearing
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- Caution
- Origin
- China
Actions according to tradition
- Cool blood and nourish Yin
- Reducir el fuego y destoxificar
- Suavizar las durezas y disolver las masas
Traditional uses
- Heat at the nutritional level with high fever, thirst and irritability
- Yin deficiency with empty heat (evening fever, night sweats)
- Scrofula, lymph nodes and phlegm-heat goiter
- Pain and inflammation of the throat due to heat-toxin
- Constipation due to Yin and fluid deficiency
Studied effects and current applications
- Cools the heat at the blood level and nourishes the Yin
- Lowers fever in febrile illnesses with nutritious heat
- Dissolves phlegm-heat nodules (scrofula, thyroid nodules)
- Antibacteriano y antiinflamatorio
- Hipoglucemiante moderado
Applications under investigation
- Infectious diseases with high fever
- Hyperthyroidism and thyroid nodules
- Faringitis y amigdalitis
- Menopause with heat signs
- Diabetes mellitus tipo 2
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Spleen deficiency with diarrhea due to cold
- Cold pattern without heat
Relative contraindications
- Pregnancy (very cold nature)
- Hypotension
- Pregnancy
- Use with caution. Very cold nature can affect the fetus.
- Breastfeeding
- Use with caution. Limited data.
- Children
- Safe in children with infections with fever. Avoid in cold pattern.
- Older adults
- Useful for elderly people with fever and infections. Combine with warm spleen herbs.
Possible adverse effects
- Diarrhea due to very cold nature
- Loss of appetite
When to stop
- Diarrhea appears
- Spleen deficiency worsens
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hypoglycemic agents | Insulin, Metformin | Mild | Possible additive hypoglycemic effect Monitorizar glucemia. |
| Antitiroideos | Metimazol, Propiltiouracilo | Mild | Potentially complementary effects on the thyroid in hyperthyroidism Monitor thyroid function. |
With other herbs
- sheng_di_huang Classic combination to cool blood and nourish Yin in febrile illnesses
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 9-15 g daily
- Powder
- 3-6 g daily
- Acute use
- 1-2 weeks
- Chronic use
- 2-4 weeks
- Maximum
- Prolonged use with caution due to very cold nature
- Children
- Safe for children in infections with fever.
Forms of preparation
Boil 9-15g in 3 cups of water for 30-40 min. Drink lukewarm to cool twice a day.
High fever, nodules, sore throat
Take 3-6g in warm water.
Conveniencia
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Iridoids (harpagoside-like) and phenolics (caffeic acid, harpagida)
Iridoid glycosides · Cools blood, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic
COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibition, cytokine modulation · 0.5-2.0%
Phenolic acids · Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral
Free radical scavenging, NF-κB inhibition · 0.5-1.5%
Heteropolysaccharides · Immunomodulator, antitumor
NK cell activation, tumor apoptosis induction · 10-20%
Flavonoids · Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic
NF-κB inhibition, thermoregulation modulation · 0.2-0.8%
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- Autumn-winter (October-March), roots of 2-3 years
Roots harvested when the aerial parts wither. They are washed, the main root is removed and dried in the sun. They are moistened and stacked to sweat before drying (traditional process).
Root cut into slices and dried. The interior is black-yellowish.
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
