Scrophularia, Figwort, Xuan Shen 玄参
Xuan Shen (Chinese Figwort)
Gyer shing pa གཡེར་ཤིང་པ (Tibetan)
Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491
Flora von Deutschland (17), Kohler, 1884
Scrophularia nodosa
(Photo by Franz Xaver) (Wikimedia)
Botanical name:
Scrophularia spp.
1. S. nodosa, S. umbrosa (“Water Betony”) (Europe)
2. S. ningpoensis, S. buergeriana (TCM)
3. S. incisa, S. ningpoensis, S. koelzii, S. dentata (Tibetan)
4. S. peregrina (Unani)
5. S. striata, S. kotschyana, S. amplexicaulis (Iran)
6. S. syriaca (syn. S. hypericifolia)
A large number of Scrophularia species have been used, most appearing to have similar uses.
Parts used:
Root. In the West, sometimes the herb and root together were used, especially in external compounds.
Temperature & Taste:
Cold, dry (warm in the West). Bitter
Some TCM sources said it was only “slightly Cold”. (Bie Lu)
Classifications:
2D ATTENUATERS OF CONGEALED BLOOD
TCM:
B. Clears Heat from the Blood B. Clears Deficient Heat
Uses:
1. Clears Heat, Moves the Blood, Clears Stasis, Resolves Masses (TCM, West):
-Lymphatic Swellings, Scrofula, Lymphadenitis etc.
-various Tumors and Cancers in both east and west; Matthiolus listed it for Cancer
-Fistulas (decocted in Wine)
-Hemorrhoids
-chronic Liver diseases with inflammation.
-chronic inflammation with exudation due to low vitality.
-chronic Ulcers, Fistulas (int. and topically)
-“possesses the potency of dissolving Induration (hardness)”. (Avicenna)
-“Hard mass due to Blood Stasis”. (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
-“fit to discuss the most obstinate Tumors” (Medicina Britannica, 1746).
-“useful in Rodent and Malignant Ulcers” (Avicenna)
-“made use of in cancerous and the like creeping Ulcers”. (The Compleat Herbal, Tournefort, 1719)
-“It is useful in repelling Piles and other affections of the anus, and; Scrofulas of any kind”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
2. Clears Heat and Poison from the Blood (TCM, West):
-obstinate and chronic skin diseases including Eczema, Psoriasis, Leprosy, chronic itching
-“redness, spots and freckles in the Face”.
-Secondary Syphilis.
3. Clears Heat and Toxin, Benefits the Throat (TCM, West):
-heat and toxin type swellings of the throat including Tonsillitis.
-chronic Sore Throat, and those with Heat, Toxin, and Yin deficiency.
4. Clears Deficient Heat, Benefits the Yin (TCM, West):
-useful for conditions associated with both Yin deficiency and heat, including chronic infections, chronic fevers, and the aftermath of various chronic diseases.
-adjunct in the treatment of Diabetes etc.
-Steaming Bone disorder (Yin deficient Heat felt deep in the bones)
5. Moves the Blood, Promotes Menstruation (West):
-although infrequently used for this purpose, it is useful to relieve the pain of Menstruation if the decoction is taken freely.
-restores Lochial Discharge.
-female Debility (King’s).
-Postpartum Heat by some Chinese authorities (Bensky)
-“Illnesses of women following birth”. (Ben Jing)
-“Heart and Abdominal pain”. (Bie Lu)
6. Promotes Urine, Benefits the Kidneys (West, TCM):
– “They exert an unusually excellent influence on the Kidneys, moderately promoting the flow of urine, relieving torpor, and imparting a soothed and toned impression to these organs”. (Cooks Dispenstaory)
-“replenishes Kidney Qi” (Shen Nong Ben Cao)
-“”Ingested for a long time it supplements depletion and clears the eyes, Enhances the Male function and reinforces Vital Essence”. (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
7. Kills Worms (West).
-listed for Worms by some authors
-“drank to the Quantity of a Dram, expels Worms”. (The Compleat Herbal, Tournefort, 1719)
8. Externally:
-externally (and internally) as a Wound herb; Wounds, Bruising, Hematomas, inflammations of the Breast etc.
-ointment may be used on all Swellings, Nodes, Scrophula, Ringworm, Gout, Eczema, Hemorrhoids etc.
-“Application of its lukewarm plaster twice a day is useful in cancerous swellings, scrofula and other kinds of swellings”. (Avicenna)
-Scrofula: “Pound fresh Scrophularia Xuan Shen and apply it. To be changed twice a day”. (Guang Li Fang)
-Sores, including Toxic Sores, apply the powder or paste
-ointment is applied to all kinds of Itch and Scab.
-“useful in Rodent and Malignant Ulcers”. (Avicenna)
-“dries up the superfluous moisture of hollow and corroding ulcers” (Culpeper)
-“virulent Tumors that pit not, and to soften Malignant Tumors, as Scrophulas, &c.” (Schroder)
-“Its juice cleanses the most putrid Ulcers, even though carcinomatous [cancerous]” (Medicina Britannica, Thomas Short, 1746)
-powdered root is sprinkled on moist Ulcers.
-distilled water of the root is used for Pimples and Redness of the Face
-Earache, with Saltpeter (Bock)
Dose:
Often Decocted in Wine or the Powder is taken with wine to move the Blood and resolve Swellings and Tumors.
Decoction: 6–15 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams
Tincture (1:5): 2–4 drams
Acid (Vinegar) Tincture: enough is added to water or wine to make it acid.
Preparation:
Traditionally it was cut and steamed for 2 days before drying in the sun.
Substitute:
In treating Fire with Yin deficiency, Rehmannia Sheng Di Huang may be used.
Main Combinations:
Scrofula, Tumors:
1. Scrofula, Neck Swellings:
i. “An elixir made from the root in powder, mixed with honey, and taken morning and evening, fast two hours after, repels swellings that grow in the neck”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
ii. from Heat and Yin deficiency, Figwort with Comfrey root
iii. from heat and toxin, Figwort with Burdock root and Bittersweet
iv. from heat and toxin, Figwort with Black Nightshade
v. with Heat, Figwort with Self Heal
vi. Heat and Toxin, Figwort with Bittersweet
vii. Figwort with China root and Agrimony
viii. Figwort, Self Heal, Kelp
ix. Scrophularia Xuan Shen with Oyster shell (TCM)
x. Scrophularia Xuan Shen, Self Heal (Xia Ku Cao), Forsythia Lian Qiao (TCM)
xi. Figwort, Herb Robert, Agrimony, Mugwort, Water Cress, Horseradish, Caraway seed, Fennel seed
xii.
2. Lymphadenitis, Figwort with Poke root
3. Hard Swellings, Figwort with Polypody, Betony and Cyclamen (Wirtzung)
4. Cancer:
i. Figwort, Black Nightshade, Rhubarb
ii. Figwort with Herb Robert, Agrimony, Tormentil, Nettle seed, Elder flower, Rosemary (as in Decoction for Cancer)
5. Lung Cancer:
i. Figwort, Comfrey, Elecampane, Licorice
ii. Figwort, Astragalus Huang Qi, Asparagus Tian Men Dong, Bitter Apricot kernel (Ku Xing Ren), Poria Fu Ling, Black Nightshade, Licorice
Heat and Toxin:
6. Chronic Sore Throat:
i. from Heat and Toxin, Scrophularia Xuan Shen with Burdock seed (Niu Bang Zi) and Licorice
ii. from Heat and Toxin, Scrophularia Xuan Shen with Cimicifuga Sheng Ma and Licorice (equal parts, decocted). (Nan Yang Huo Ren Shu)
iii. from Heat and Yin deficiency, Scrophularia Xuan Shen with Rehmannia Sheng Di (TCM)
iv. acute throat blockage from Wind, Scrophularia Xuan Shen with Burdock seed (Niu Bang Zi)(30 grams each, one half raw, one half fried), powder and take. “A cure is achieved immediately”. (Sheng Hui Fang)
v. Sore, dry Throat from Yin deficiency and Heat, with Scrophularia Xuan Shen with Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong and Licorice
7. Furuncles, Boils and Abscesses Scrophularia Xuan Shen, Chrysanthemum indicum (Ye Ju Hua), Coptis Huang Lian
8. Erysipelas and Purpuric Rashes, Scrophularia Xuan Shen with Paeonia Mu Dan Pi (TCM)
9. Obstinate skin diseases, Figwort, Borage, Fumitory
10. Psoriasis:
i. Figwort with Red Clover, Nettle, Cleavers
ii. Figwort with Rehmannia Sheng Di HUang, Paeonia Mu Dan Pi, Paeonia Bai Shao, Sophora Ku Shen, Licorice
11. Scaly chronic skin conditions, Figwort with Yellow Dock root
Deficienct Heat:
12. Diabetes, Figwort with Mistletoe, Comfrey root, Feverfew
13. Low-Grade fever, thirst, Scrophularia Xuan Shen, Dendrobium Shi Hu, with Rehmannia Sheng Di Huang
Externally:
14. Redness, Spots and Freckles of the Face, distilled Water of Figwort with Saltpeter. (Salmon)
15. As a plaster for Tumors and Swellings, Figwort with Foxglove, Hounds Tongue, White Dead Nettle
16. Ointment for Tumors and Swellings, Figwort, Foxglove, Cynoglossum, White Dead Nettle, mixed with pork fat. (The Compleat Herbal, Tournefort, 1719)
17. All types of Itch and Scab, juice the herb, keep the juice in a bottle stopped for a whole year. Then with wax and oil make an ointment. (Tragus)
Major Formulas:
Decoction of Figwort
Decoction for Cancer (Fuller)
Wine for Scrophula (Renodeus)
Water for Cancer
Electuary of Figwort (Avicenna)
Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Tian Wang Bu Xin Wan
Xiao Luo Wan
Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang
Zi Xue Dan
Cautions:
Not used in Cold and Weak digestion
Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water of the root, Oil of Figwort, Ointment of Figwort
1. Oil of Figwort.
i. Fresh herb and root of Figwort (3 parts), Olive oil (1 part). Infuse in warmth, express.
2. Ointment of Figwort:
i. Bruise the roots, put in a jar and add equal parts of Beet suet or Hogs Lard with Olive oil. Sealed in a glass jar and leave in the sun for 15 or 20 days then boil gently on a fire for an hour, strain while hot, and keep in a jar for use.
ii. Boil the roots in Oil, then add Wax to form an ointment.
Applied to Scrofula, Lymphatic swellings, Hemorrhoids, Tumors, Ulcers, Leprosy etc.
“Xuan Shen is a remedy of pivotal importance. It controls all ascending and descending movements of qi. It is of a pure solemnity and lacks any turbidity. It is often used as part of medication for wind. Hence the Huo Ren Shu recommends the use of Xuan Shen to cure all [the following diseases]: Harm caused by cold with Yang poison, when the poison fails to disperse after a therapy inducing sweating and discharge was applied, and when an uncomfortable feeling below the heart is associated with vexation and an inability to sleep, with the Spirit of the Heart turned upside down and close to being cut off entirely. Based on this it may be said that Xuan Shen is to be considered a Sage-like remedy when it comes to curing condensed Qi in the chest and a fire without root”. (Yuan Su)
“When the kidney-Water is harmed, when the true Yin has lost its guard, when a solitary Yang has no root to feed it and when this effuses as a fire disease, the rules require to reinvigorate the Water to check the Fire. Hence Xuan Shen has the same potential as Rehmannia Di Huang“. (Li Shi Zhen)
This refers to the nourishing of Yin while quelling Fire to return to balance.
NOTE: The following research is collected from numerous species of Scrophularia. While some indications (such as Diabetes and Breast Cancer) are represented by a number of species, some indications have only been shown in specific species. Nevertheless, the genus supplies many species which have been used medicinally in various countries, and it would appear that a number of species share similar or synonymous uses.
GENERAL / REVIEW
–The genus Scrophularia: a source of iridoids and terpenoids with a diverse biological activity.
–Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl: a review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology, quality control and pharmacokinetics.
–Pharmacology, phytochemistry, and traditional uses of Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl.
ANTIBACTERIAL
–Total phenolic, total flavonoids, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of scrophularia striata boiss extracts.
–Biological screening of Scrophularia nodosa extract and its fractions.
–Study of chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of leaves and roots of Scrophularia ningpoensis.
–Antibacterial activity of the phenolic acids fractions of Scrophularia frutescens and Scrophularia sambucifolia.
ANTIFUNGAL
–Biological screening of Scrophularia nodosa extract and its fractions.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
–Anti-inflammatory secondary metabolites from Scrophularia kotschyana.
–Polysaccharides of Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl.: Extraction, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Evaluation.
–Scrophularia Tenuipes Coss and Durieu: Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities.
–Iridoid glycosides isolated from Scrophularia dentata Royle ex Benth. and their anti-inflammatory activity.
–Anti-inflammatory glycoterpenoids from Scrophularia auriculata.
–Anti-inflammatory activity in rats and mice of phenolic acids isolated from Scrophularia frutescens.
–Antiinflammatory effects of different extracts and harpagoside isolated from Scrophularia frutescens L.
ANTIOXIDANT
–Polysaccharides of Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl.: Extraction, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Evaluation.
–Scrophularia Tenuipes Coss and Durieu: Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities.
–Antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of Scrophularia striata extract against oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity.
–Total phenolic, total flavonoids, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of scrophularia striata boiss extracts.
ANALGESIC
–Biological screening of Scrophularia nodosa extract and its fractions.
ANTISPASMODIC
–Spasmolytic effects of Scrophularia nodosa extract on isolated rabbit intestine.
MALARIA
–Screening of Anti-Malarial Activity of Different Extracts Obtained from Three Species of Scrophularia Growing in Iran.
ASTHMA
–Protective effects of Scrophularia striata in Ovalbumin-induced mice asthma model.
NEUROPROTECTIVE
–Harpagide from Scrophularia protects rat cortical neurons from oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation-induced injury by decreasing endoplasmic reticulum stress.
–Chemical characterization of polysaccharides isolated from scrophularia ningpoensis and its protective effect on the cerebral ischemia/reperfusin injury in rat model.
–Neuroprotective effects of Scrophularia buergeriana extract against glutamate-induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells.
–Screening and identification of neuroprotective compounds from Scrophularia buergeriana using cell extraction coupled with LC-MS.
–Neuroprotective Effect of Total and Sequential Extract of Scrophularia striata Boiss. in Rat Cerebellar Granule Neurons Following Glutamate- Induced Neurotoxicity: An In-vitro Study.
–Antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of Scrophularia striata extract against oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity.
–Iridoids from Scrophularia buergeriana attenuate glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in rat cortical cultures.
–Four new neuroprotective iridoid glycosides from Scrophularia buergeriana roots.
–Scrophularia buergeriana Extract (Brainon) Attenuates Neuroinflammation in BV-2 Microglia Cells and Promotes Neuroprotection in SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells.
–Neuroprotective phenylpropanoid esters of rhamnose isolated from roots of Scrophularia buergeriana.
CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA
–Harpagide from Scrophularia protects rat cortical neurons from oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation-induced injury by decreasing endoplasmic reticulum stress.
–Chemical characterization of polysaccharides isolated from scrophularia ningpoensis and its protective effect on the cerebral ischemia/reperfusin injury in rat model.
ANXIETY & DEPRESSION
–Involvement of GABAergic system in regulation of the anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects of Scrophularia striata extract in rats.
COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT
–Cognitive-enhancing and antioxidant activities of iridoid glycosides from Scrophularia buergeriana in scopolamine-treated mice.
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
–Scrophularia lucida L. as a valuable source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical applications: In vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, enzyme inhibitory properties, in silico studies, and HPLC profiles.
CARDIOPROTECTIVE
–Cardioprotective Effects of Methanolic Extract of Scrophularia frigida on Ischemia-Reperfusion-Induced Injuries in Isolated Rat Heart.
–Monoterpene pyridine alkaloids and phenolics from Scrophularia ningpoensis and their cardioprotective effect.
HEPATOPROTECTIVE
–In Vivo Hepatoprotective and Nephroprotective Activity of Acylated Iridoid Glycosides from Scrophularia hepericifolia.
–Evaluation of the hepatroprotective and nephroprotective activities of Scrophularia hypericifolia growing in Saudi Arabia.
–Hepatoprotective phenylpropanoids from Scrophularia buergeriana roots against CCl(4)-induced toxicity: action mechanism and structure-activity relationship.
NEPHROPROTECTIVE
–In Vivo Hepatoprotective and Nephroprotective Activity of Acylated Iridoid Glycosides from Scrophularia hepericifolia.
–Evaluation of the hepatroprotective and nephroprotective activities of Scrophularia hypericifolia growing in Saudi Arabia.
DIABETES
–A trisaccharide phenylethanoid glycoside from Scrophularia flava Grau with potential anti-type 2 diabetic properties by inhibiting α-glucosidase enzyme and decreasing oxidative stress.
–Scrophularia Tenuipes Coss and Durieu: Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities.
–Antidiabetic and protective effects of Scrophularia striata ethanolic extract on diabetic nephropathy via suppression of RAGE and S100A8 expression in kidney tissues of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
–Scrophularia lucida L. as a valuable source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical applications: In vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, enzyme inhibitory properties, in silico studies, and HPLC profiles.
–Scropolioside-D2 and harpagoside-B: two new iridoid glycosides from Scrophularia deserti and their antidiabetic and antiinflammatory activity.
CANCER
–Phytochemical analysis and antiproliferative activity of the aerial parts of Scrophularia subaphylla.
–Chemical Composition of Scrophularia lucida and the Effects on Tumor Invasiveness in Vitro.
–Effects of Scrophularia extracts on tumor cell proliferation, death and intravasation through lymphoendothelial cell barriers.
–Effects of Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl. on Inhibition of Proliferation, Apoptosis Induction and NF-κB Signaling of Immortalized and Cancer Cell Lines.
–Study of Anti Cancer Property of Scrophularia striata Extract on the Human Astrocytoma Cell Line (1321).
BRAIN
–Scrophularia orientalis extract induces calcium signaling and apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells.
BREAST
–In vitro anticancer activity of Scrophularia amplexicaulis extracts on MCF-7 and WEHI-164 cell line.
–Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Effects of Scrophularia Umbrosa Dumort Extract on MCF-7 Breast Cancer and 3T3 Cells.
–Scrophularia Atropatana Extract Reverses TP53 Gene Promoter Hypermethylation and Decreases Survivin Antiapoptotic Gene Expression in Breast Cancer Cells.
–The Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Effects of Scrophularia Atropatana Extracts on Human Breast Cancer Cells.
–Growth inhibitory effect of Scrophularia oxysepala extract on mouse mammary carcinoma 4T1 cells in vitro and in vivo systems.
–Extracts of Scrophularia frigida Boiss display potent antitumor effects in human breast cancer cells by inducing apoptosis and inhibition of expression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2.
–Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Activities of Methanolic Subfractions of Scrophularia oxysepala against Human Breast Cancer Cell Line.
–Apoptosis Cell Death Effect of Scrophularia Variegata on Breast Cancer Cells via Mitochondrial Intrinsic Pathway.
–Dichloromethane fractions of Scrophularia oxysepala extract induce apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.
–Dichloromethane and Methanol Extracts of Scrophularia oxysepala Induces Apoptosis in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells.
COLON:
–Effects of Scrophularia oxysepala Methanolic Extract on Early Stages of Dimethylhydrazine-Induced Colon Carcinoma in Rats: Apoptosis Pathway Approach.
LEUKEMIA
–Induction of apoptosis and G2 /M cell cycle arrest by Scrophularia striata in a human leukaemia cell line.
SYNERGISTIC WITH CHEMO:
–Scrophularia amplexicaulis increases anti-cancer potential of doxorubicin in gastric cancer cells.
WOUNDS
–Wound healing activity of acylated iridoid glycosides from Scrophularia nodosa.
BURN WOUNDS
–The healing effect of scrophularia striata on experimental burn wounds infected to pseudomonas aeruginosa in rat.
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1. The appearance, functions, uses and constituents of the Eastern and Western species of Scrophularia are similar enough to be considered synonymous. The Chinese Xuan Shen may be used in place of European Figwort.
2. According to Zhang Yuan Su it ‘plays an important role in regulating the ascent and descent of all sorts of Qi’.
3. This is one of the ‘Shen‘ roots of TCM which are often tonic medicines and which includes Ginseng (Ren Shen). Older TCM texts recognized more tonic qualities, some claiming it tonifies Qi and Yin.