Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Sophora species, particularly Sophora flavescens (commonly known as Ku Shen in Traditional Chinese Medicine), have a long history of use in East Asian traditional medicine for treating various skin conditions, including dermatitis, eczema, and pruritus. The roots of Sophora flavescens are often included in topical preparations and decoctions intended to "clear heat" and "eliminate dampness" associated with inflammatory skin diseases.

Traditional medical texts and pharmacopeias cite the anti-itching and anti-inflammatory properties of Sophora extracts. The key active compounds, such as matrine and oxymatrine, are believed to contribute to these effects. Modern pharmacological research provides some support for anti-inflammatory and antipruritic activities in vitro and in animal models, but robust, high-quality human clinical trials for dermatitis are lacking. Most of the scientific evidence is preliminary or comes from small-scale studies and laboratory data, not from large, randomized controlled trials. As a result, the use of Sophora for dermatitis is primarily grounded in traditional practice, with limited scientific validation to date.

In summary, Sophora is traditionally used to support/treat dermatitis, especially in Chinese medicine, and there is some early scientific support for its bioactive compounds, but the overall level of evidence remains low to moderate.

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