Sophora davidii（Franch.）
Aliases：Kǔ Cì Zhī Yè (Bitter Thorn Branches and Leaves).
Bái Cì Huā Yè is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the leaf of Sophora davidii (Franch.) Kom. ex Pavol., a plant belonging to the genus Sophora of the family Leguminosae. This plant is a shrub, 1–2.5 m tall, with greyish-brown bark, brown branches, nearly glabrous, and with sharp spines. The leaves are odd-pinnate, alternate, 4–6 cm long, with 11–21 leaflets that are elliptic or oblong-ovate, 5–8 mm long and 4–5 mm wide. Bái Cì Huā Yè was first recorded in Wenshan Chinese Herbal Medicine.
Efficacy & Actions
Cools the blood, detoxifies, and kills parasites.
Indications
Indicated for epistaxis (nosebleed), hematochezia (blood in stool), furuncles and toxic swellings, scabies and tinea, burns and scalds, and trichomonas vaginitis. The Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica (1979 edition) records that it “clears heat, detoxifies, cools the blood, and stops bleeding. Used for heat-pattern bleeding, carbuncles, and toxic swellings”.
Ingredients
The following compounds have been isolated from the leaves: sophocarpine, sophocarpine N-oxide, and diosmin.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 9–15 g. For external use: crush and apply topically, or grind into powder and mix for application.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in those who experience allergic reactions to Bái Cì Huā Yè. Pregnant women and those with weak constitutions should use it under the guidance of a physician.
Selected Formulas
For epistaxis (empirical formula) Take 15g of Kuci (Sophora viciifolia) branches and leaves, and 30g of Baimaogen (Imperata rhizome). Decoct in water and drink. For hematochezia (empirical formula) Take 15g of Kuci branches and leaves, add 10g of Kushen (Sophora flavescens). Decoct in water and drink. For carbuncles, sores, scabies, and leprosy (empirical formula) Take an appropriate amount of fresh Baicihua (Sophora viciifolia) leaf tips, crush and apply to the affected area. For burns and scalds (empirical formula) Dry Kuci branches and leaves in the sun, grind into powder, mix with sesame oil, and apply.
Medicinal Parts
Leaf.
Selection & Storage
Store dried products in a ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture.
