The Japanese sophora is a beautiful tree from the legume family, native to China. It can grow up to 33 feet tall. Its leaves are odd-pinnate and compound. The small flowers are yellowish-white and emit a distinctive fragrance. The seeds are found in dark red pods, which contain black beans. This is crucial to know, as sometimes other legumes are sold in place of sophora at markets. In southern Ukraine, the plant is cultivated for ornamental purposes.
In scientific medicine, sophora tincture is used to treat various ulcers, including trophic ulcers, dirty wounds, and burns. To prepare it, 10 grams of crushed sophora beans (about a tablespoon) are soaked in 90 grams of vodka and kept in a warm place for 10 days, shaking it occasionally.
In folk medicine, the tincture is used to treat cracked nipples, boils, and phlegmon. A piece of gauze soaked in the tincture is applied under a compress for the entire night. If hair is falling out, a tincture of sophora can be prepared and, after washing the hair, it is massaged into the scalp until a slight redness appears. This method is particularly effective in the fall and winter. However, to avoid drying out the skin, it should not be used more than twice a week. The tincture can be alternated with a decoction. The decoction is made by steeping a teaspoon of crushed sophora in 95 grams of boiling water for 15 minutes, then straining it. A 5% solution of the decoction is used for douching in cases of female reproductive system diseases.
For the treatment and prevention of internal bleeding from various origins, including in the brain, heart, and retina, as well as for hypertension, angina, and severe atherosclerosis, the tincture is taken internally (from 10 drops to a teaspoon, 4-5 times a day). The treatment cycle lasts two weeks, followed by a two-week break.
Effective results have also been observed with sophora in cases of typhus, gastritis with high acidity, ulcers, capillary toxicity, liver diseases, and diarrhea. The wide range of effects of this plant is attributed to its extremely high content of rutin, which ranges from 12% to 30%.
Instead of the tincture made from the beans, one can use a tincture made from the flower buds of sophora. To prepare it, 20 grams of buds are soaked in 100 grams of 70% alcohol; it is left to steep for seven days. This tincture is taken without straining, at a dosage of 20-40 drops three times a day. The treatment cycle lasts three weeks. A 5% or 10% solution of the tincture from the buds is massaged into the scalp to prevent hair loss. It can also be used for compresses for barley, cupping for eczema, and hemorrhoids. This solution can be dripped into the nose for colds, and tampons soaked in the tincture can be inserted into the nose for sinusitis or frontal sinusitis. Additionally, the tincture can be used as a mouthwash for gingivitis, stomatitis, and to relieve toothaches. In all cases, sophora preparations should be used in conjunction with vitamin C.
In Bulgaria, a powder made from dried buds is also used for all the aforementioned conditions, with a dosage of 0.2-0.5 grams taken 3-4 times a day. Although no complications have been observed during treatment with sophora tincture, individuals over 65 should exercise caution when using alcohol-based preparations. It is better to prefer decoctions and powders.
There is also a possibility of developing a tolerance to the medications, leading to reduced effectiveness. Therefore, sophora should be alternated with other plants. It is worth noting that it works well in conjunction with homeopathic treatments, and preparations containing iodine, gold, or potassium can enhance its effects. Additionally, sophora aids in the elimination of arsenic and salicylates in cases of poisoning.