What is Sophora Japonica Extract?
Also known as Japanese pagoda tree, Japanese sophora, or Chinese scholar tree, Sophora japonica (also non-italicized since it is sometimes used as a common name in the herb industry) is a deciduous tree native to eastern Asia and a member of the Fabaceae family. Sophora japonica features prominently in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and while the flowers are the most widely used part, other parts are used as well. In TCM, the flower buds, roots, and branches are considered vein remedies and are used to control bleeding and to cool blood. The roots and flowers also are used to treat intestinal hemorrhages, likely due to their high-flavonoid contents. Sophora japonica flowers contain beneficial phytochemicals including rutin, quercetin, fatty acids, and polysaccharides and often appear in TCM formulas to regulate blood flow, tone the liver and kidney, and clear heat.
