Ku Shen Tang
Star苦参汤 (Light Yellow Sophora Root Decoction)
Source: Zhong Yi Da Ci Dian (1806)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Ku Shen Tang (Light Yellow Sophora Root Decoction), from Chinese Medicine Dictionary (Zhong Yi Da Ci Dian).
Actions: Clear heat and dry dampness and relieve itching
Indications: Indicated for the treatment of scabies, favus, leprosy, sores, and ulcers
Category: Formulas That Clear Heat and Dispel Dampness.
Source: Xi S, Gong Y. Essentials of Chinese Materia Medica and Medical Formulas: New Century Traditional Chinese Medicine. Academic Press/Elsevier, 2017, pp. 755–759.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ku Shen
as printed: Radix Sophorae Flavescentis (ku shen) 50 g
|
50g | 16.67% | — | |
|
She Chuang Zi
as printed: Fructus Cnidii (she chuang zi) 50 g
|
50g | 16.67% | — | |
|
Bai Zhi
as printed: Radix Angelicae Dahuricae (bai zhi) 30 g
|
30g | 10% | — | |
|
Jin Yin Hua
as printed: Flos Lonicerae Japonicae (jin yin hua) 30 g
|
30g | 10% | — | |
|
Ye Ju Hua
as printed: Flos Chrysanthemi Indici (ye ju hua) 30 g
|
30g | 10% | — | |
|
Huang Bai
as printed: Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis (huang bai) 30 g
|
30g | 10% | — | |
|
Di Fu Zi
as printed: Fructus Kochiae (di fu zi) 50 g
|
50g | 16.67% | — | |
|
Shi Chang Pu
as printed: Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii (shi chang pu) 30 g
|
30g | 10% | — |
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net cool (-0.80)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 53%, cool 10%, warm 37%.
Pairs warm and cool. 37% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 63% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 37%
- sweet 10%
- bitter 53%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Large intestine 47%
- Stomach 47%
- Heart 47%
- Kidney 43%
- Liver 27%
- Lung 20%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Decoct the ingredients with water for externally washing
Relationships
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Formula Network
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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