Effects: Clears heat and cools blood, purges fire and detoxifies, nourishes yin.
Indications: Warm pathogens invading the营 (ying) level, penetrating the pericardium; warm toxins causing rashes; yin deficiency from febrile diseases; crimson tongue with thirst; fluid depletion causing constipation; bone steaming and consumptive cough; red eyes; sore throat; scrofula; diphtheria; abscesses and toxic sores.
Usage Precautions: Contraindicated for those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold, poor appetite, or loose stools. Contraindicated with Lepidium.
Functions of Scrophularia:
1. Clears heat and cools blood: Its cold nature clears heat from the blood and nutrient layers. Used for heat diseases invading the blood, often combined with Rehmannia glutinosa and Moutan bark (e.g., Qingying Decoction).
2. Nourishes yin and generates fluids. Its moist and fluid-rich nature clears heat pathogens while replenishing yin fluids. Used for conditions like dry mouth and throat, constipation, and thirst caused by fluid depletion in febrile diseases.
3. Draining fire and detoxifying: For various heat syndromes with intense heat-toxin, it clears heat, drains fire, and detoxifies. Treats fever, sore throat, red eyes, boils, and gangrene.
4. Softening hardness and dispersing nodules: Its salty nature softens hardness and dissipates stagnation, treating swellings and masses caused by phlegm-fire accumulation. Formulas like Xiao Jiao Wan utilize this property.
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