What is Sophora japonica?

Sophora japonica, also known as the Japanese pagoda tree, is a deciduous tree native to China that has been introduced to other parts of Asia and North America.

The tree grows to a height of 20-30 m (66-98 ft) and has alternate, pinnate leaves with 10-20 leaflets. The flowers are white and borne in racemes. The fruit is a black or brown capsule containing 3-7 seeds.

Sophora japonica has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is used to treat a variety of conditions including diarrhea, dysentery, eczema, and liver disease. Extracts from the tree have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties.

S. japonica is also a source of the flavonoids quercetin and rutin, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.Recent studies have shown that Sophora japonica extracts can help protect against liver damage caused by toxins such as alcohol and certain drugs.

S. japonica extracts have also been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in vitro and to reduce tumor size in animal studies.Sophora japonica capsules are available for purchase online and in some health food stores.