Huai Jiao槐角

Fructus SophoraeSophora Fruit

Also known asPagoda Tree Fruit

Actions & indications

Clears and directs Heat downward, cools the Blood, moistens the Intestines and stops bleeding: Heat leading to inflamed and bleeding hemorrhoids, hemafecia, hematuria and constipation
Clears and drains Liver Fire, nourishes the Liver, brightens the eyes and reduces blood pressure: Liver Fire leading to red eyes, headaches, dizziness, often with hypertension

- Di Yu
- Huang Qin
For hemorrhoidal bleeding caused by Toxic Heat or Damp-Heat.
For Liver Fire.
Addresses Liver Fire.

Between the two parts of the plant, the flower is the stronger hemostatic, while the fruit does more to drain Heat and bring Fire down.
It works best for bleeding and inflamed stools, and for hemafecia.
Some sources also credit it with nourishing Liver Yin, moistening the Liver, and building Blood.
Within the fruit, the seed kernels are specifically responsible for brightening the eyes.
Taken over the long term, it is said to keep the beard from graying, brighten the eyes, and calm the spirit.
Some also attribute a Kidney-nourishing action to it.
Huai Jiao and Flos Sophorae Immaturus Huai Hua Mi share the ability to cool the Blood and stop bleeding, but Huai Hua Mi, being lighter, rises upward — clearing Heat and moistening the Liver to relieve eye redness and Heat caused by Liver Fire. Huai Jiao, by contrast, sinks downward, producing the same effect as Huai Hua Mi while additionally invigorating the Blood.
Dry-frying it as Chao Huai Jiao tempers its cold nature, making it better suited to those with Spleen Deficiency.
Honey-processed as Mi Huai Jiao, it nourishes the Liver and moistens Dryness more effectively while its Cold quality is softened; this form suits Spleen and Stomach Deficiency, Liver Dryness, and constipation from Internal Fire clumping.
Charring it as Huai Jiao Tan significantly reduces its Cold nature and strengthens its hemostatic action.