Roots and rhizomesHeat-clearingRadix Scrophulariae

Xuan Shen (Scrophularia Root)

玄參 · Xuan Shen

Heat-clearing herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Traditional functions: Clears heat, cools blood, drains fire, resolves toxin, nourishes yin.

In-Depth Guide

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Quick Facts

Latin NameRadix Scrophulariae
Chinese Name & Pinyin玄參 · Xuan Shen
Medicinal PartRoots and rhizomes
Efficacy CategoryHeat-clearing
Botanical OriginThe dried root of Scrophularia ningpoensis Hensl.(Scrophulariaceae)
Nature & FlavourSweet, Bitter, Salty; Slightly cold
Channels EnteredLung, Stomach, Kidney

What Is Xuan Shen?

Xuan Shen (Scrophularia Root) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Chongqing, Shaanxi, Hubei, Jiangxi.

Nature & Flavour: Sweet, Bitter, Salty; Slightly cold
Channels Entered: Lung, Stomach, Kidney

Xuan Shen: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Radix Scrophulariae

Botanical Origin

The dried root of Scrophularia ningpoensis Hensl.(Scrophulariaceae)

Production Regions

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Chongqing, Shaanxi, Hubei, Jiangxi.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material is thick and strong, firm, with black fractured surface.

Macroscopic Features

Sub-cylindrical, middle is slightly thick or thick at the top and thin at the bottom, sometimes slightly curved, 6~20cm long, 1~3cm diameter. Externally grayish-yellow or grayish-brown, with irregular longitudinal grooves, horizontal lenticels and loose horizontal cracks and rootlet scars. Firm texture, hard to break, black fractured surface is slightly lustrous. Distinctively caramel-like odor, sweet, slightly bitter, salty taste.

Traditional TCM Properties

Sweet, Bitter, Salty; Slightly coldLungStomachKidney

Traditional Functions

Clears heat, cools blood, drains fire, resolves toxin, nourishes yin. Apply to damp evil entering construction and the pericardium, warm toxin inducing eruptions, heat disease damaging yin, dark red tongue and vexation, damage of fluid and constipation, bone steaming and over-strained cough, red eye, throat pain, scrofula, diphtheritic, swelling abscess and sore toxin.

How Xuan Shen Is Used in TCM

In the Chinese materia medica, Xuan Shen is classified among the Heat-clearing herbs. It appears in 8 classical formulas in our library.

Formulas containing Xuan Shen are traditionally used for:

ConstipationDry Mouth & ThroatDry CoughSore ThroatInsomniaAnxiety RestlessnessPalpitationsNight SweatsYin Deficiency ConstitutionDizziness & VertigoHeadacheFever

Classical Formulas Containing Xuan Shen

+4 more

Herbs Commonly Combined with Xuan Shen

Mai DongSheng Di HuangBei MuMu Dan PiBai ShaoBo HeGan CaoRen ShenDan ShenFu LingWu Wei ZiYuan Zhi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Xuan Shen? Are Yuan Shen, Sheng Di Huang and Bei Sha Shen the same?
Official Xuan Shen (玄参) is the dried root of Scrophularia ningpoensis, also called Yuan Shen (an older taboo-avoiding name). The pharmacopoeial name is Scrophulariae Radix. A black fracture and burnt-sugar odor mark good quality. Sheng Di Huang is sweet-bitter-cold: clears heat, cools Blood and nourishes Yin to generate fluid—Heart-Liver-Kidney Blood aspect. Bei Sha Shen is sweet, slightly bitter and slightly cold: nourishes Yin, clears the Lung and benefits the Stomach—Lung-Stomach qi-Yin. All three nourish Yin; they are not the same herb. Do not combine with Li Lu (Veratrum; Eighteen Incompatibilities). Write Xuan Shen or Yuan Shen.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Xuan Shen?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Xuan Shen is sweet, bitter, salty and slightly cold, enters the Lung, Stomach and Kidney channels, and acts to clear heat and cool the Blood, nourish Yin and downbear fire, and resolve toxin and dissipate binds. It is used for heat entering nutrient-Blood, warm-toxin macules, febrile damage to Yin, crimson tongue with vexing thirst, fluid-damage constipation, steaming bone taxation cough, red eyes, sore throat, diphtheria, scrofula and sores. Salty-cold, it enters the Blood, enriches Kidney water, benefits the throat and dissipates binds—suited to heat damaging Yin-fluids and phlegm-fire binding the throat, not to Spleen-Stomach deficient cold with loose stool.
Does Xuan Shen need special processing? Can it be a daily throat tea?
Decoction usually uses softened, sliced Xuan Shen. Sore throat may join Ophiopogon, Platycodon and licorice in a short formula—it is not a four-season “Xuan Shen throat tea.” Spleen-Stomach deficient cold only grows looser. Choose fat black roots with the stem-base trimmed clean.
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Learn More About Xuan Shen

Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Xuan Shen.

Read the Xuan Shen Guide →

Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.

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