khổ sâm
Definition
- Noun:
- Bitter Ginseng / Sophora Root: A type of medicinal plant, specifically referring to the root of Sophora flavescens, known for its intensely bitter taste and used in traditional medicine.
- Tonkin Croton: An alternative identification, referring to a plant (like Croton tonkinensis) used for similar medicinal purposes, particularly for treating dysentery and digestive ailments.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Khổ sâm là một vị thuốc nam quý. (Bitter Ginseng is a valuable medicinal herb in traditional Vietnamese medicine.)
- Ông thầy thuốc kê đơn có khổ sâm để trị bệnh đường ruột. (The herbalist prescribed a formula containing Sophora root to treat intestinal disease.)
Advanced Usage
- In botanical and pharmacological contexts, "khổ sâm" precisely refers to Aiton. Its primary active compounds are matrine and oxymatrine, which are studied for their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Variants and Related Words
- Rễ khổ sâm: Specifically denotes the root part of the plant, which is the part most commonly used in medicine.
- Rễ khổ sâm phơi khô được dùng để sắc thuốc. (Dried Sophora root is used to decoct medicine.)
Synonyms
- Sophora Root: The standard English name for the medicinal part of .
- Ku Shen: The common transliterated name used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Related Terms
- Dược liệu: Medicinal herb/material. "Khổ sâm" is classified as a "dược liệu."
- Thuốc nam: Southern medicine (Vietnamese traditional medicine). "Khổ sâm" is a component in many "thuốc nam" remedies.