Huái Jiǎo (槐角) — Sophora fruit / pagoda tree pod
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Key formulas
- Modern research
- Incompatibilities
- Cautions and contraindications
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Huái Jiǎo (槐角) — Sophora japonica — is known in English as Sophora fruit / pagoda tree pod. It belongs to the category of herbs that cool the Blood and stop bleeding in the Chinese Materia Medica and is used in Chinese herbal medicine both as a component of classical herbal formulas and within tailored prescriptions in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
I prescribe Huái Jiǎo as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan — independently tested to the highest international quality and safety standards. Herbs are never prescribed individually outside a properly balanced formula; they are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Huái Jiǎo |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 槐角 |
| Latin name | Sophora japonica |
| English name | Sophora fruit / pagoda tree pod |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Bitter |
| Channels entered | Liver, Large Intestine |
| Category | Regulate the blood |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Cools the Blood and stops bleeding
- Clears and drains Liver Heat
Indications
- Bleeding haemorrhoids and blood in the stool
- Bleeding from Heat in the lower burner
- Red, sore eyes and headache from Liver Heat
- Dizziness with raised blood pressure of a Liver Heat pattern
4. Key formulas containing Huái Jiǎo
Huái Jiǎo is an ingredient in a number of classical formulas. The following are among the most important:
See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 332 classical formulas.
5. Modern research
Sophora fruit contains rutin and related flavonoids, long studied for effects on capillary fragility. Its classical use for haemorrhoidal bleeding is consistent with this, though clinical evidence for the whole herb is limited.
6. Incompatibilities
The classical Ming-dynasty texts Shi Ba Fan (Eighteen Antagonisms) and Shi Jiu Wei (Nineteen Mutual Inhibitions) record herb pairs that should not be combined. Modern practitioners treat these as strong cautions rather than absolute contraindications.
No classical incompatibilities are recorded for Huái Jiǎo in the Shi Ba Fan or Shi Jiu Wei.
7. Cautions and contraindications
Cold and draining, so avoided in Spleen deficiency-Cold and in pregnancy. Rectal bleeding must always be medically assessed to exclude serious causes before it is attributed to haemorrhoids.
Pattern contraindications
Not appropriate for bleeding from deficiency-Cold, where warming and Qi-tonifying herbs are required.
Modern drug interactions
No specific drug interactions are well established for Huái Jiǎo at normal prescribed doses. As with all Chinese herbs, tell your herbalist about every prescribed medication so the formula can be reviewed for interactions and adjusted where necessary.
Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe or self-administer Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM and the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience.
8. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Huái Jiǎo within tailored formulas for Heat-pattern bleeding in the lower burner, always after appropriate medical investigation.
Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available for patients throughout the UK and internationally, with herbs dispensed by post. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.
Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. After a full video consultation, Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto formulates a bespoke herbal prescription and posts your Chinese herbs directly to your door.
