Figwort Root
Ingredient Name: Figwort Root, Radix Scrophulariae (Chinese scientific name)
Traditional Chinese Name: 玄參 (xuán shēn)
What is this?
- The dried root of a flower plant of the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae)
- There are a variety of figwort plants and are often named by their location (ie: The one pictured above is from Zhejiang)
- There are uses for both the figwort plant leaves and roots
- The root is extracted at the end of the season (winter) and dried for usage
- Considered a mildly cooling Chinese herb
How do I prepare it?
- Rinse in warm water before usage to ensure all dirt and soil is removed
Where can I buy this?
- Most herbal shops will carry this
- Wet marts in Hong Kong will also sometimes carry this
What is the cost?
- Extremely affordable
- 5 g cost around $5 HKD (as pictured above)
Any benefits?
- Excellent for reducing heatiness in the body and clearing toxins
- Ideal for soup and drink compositions that remove fire from the body
- Great for healing the throat and lungs and provides benefits to these bodily functions (ie: sore throats, coughing)
- Nourishes the Yin
Any precautions?
- As it is mild cooling, pregnant women in their first trimester should take caution as cooling ingredients can cause contractions
- Has a distinct pungent smell
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