Saphora Japonica

Sophora japonica is a flowering tree that has a wide range of uses in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is also known as the pagoda tree and is native to eastern Asia. The tree’s flowers, seeds, and leaves are used to make medicine. Sophora japonica contains chemicals such as rutin, quercetin, and tannins that have various health benefits. However, pagoda tree seeds are possibly unsafe for most people, and they might cause serious side effects, including facial swelling or death.

The benefits of Sophora japonica include:

• Reducing cerebral infarction partly due to its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities
• Improving blood circulation, toning the liver, and clearing heat
• Treating intestinal hemorrhages due to its high-flavonoid contents
• Regulating blood flow and toning blood vessels due to its rutin content
• Reducing capillary permeability, bleeding time, and coagulation time in mice
• Reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and other illnesses

There are some case studies that have explored the benefits of Sophora japonica:

• A study found that Sophora japonica reduced cerebral infarction due to its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities.
• Another study found that oral administration of Sophora japonica extracts (containing rutin, quercetin, and tannin) for five days reduced capillary permeability, bleeding time, and coagulation time in mice.
• A study found that Sophora japonica flowers (Huaihua) reduce intestinal hemorrhage partly due to their high-flavonoid contents.
• Layn Natural Ingredients adopted Sophora japonica through ABC’s Adopt-an-Herb Program and concluded that it was highly effective in lowering levels of compounds that contribute to oxidative stress.

There is not enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of Sophora japonica might be. However, Sophora japonica fruit extract (Rexflavone) has been used safely for up to 12 weeks.

Pagoda tree seeds are possibly unsafe for most people, and they might cause serious side effects, including facial swelling or death. Therefore, it is important to take caution and follow relevant directions on product labels.

Sources:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27085938/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20875105/
3. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/46577316_Effects_of_Sophora_japonica_flowers_Huaihua_on_cerebral_infarction
4. https://www.herbalgram.org/adopt-an-herb/sophora-japonica/
5. https://cosmetics.specialchem.com/inci-ingredients/sophora-japonica-flower-extract
6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/sophora-japonica