Anemarrhena asphodeloides, known as "zhi mu" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has a long history of use primarily for its cooling, moistening, and anti-inflammatory properties. In TCM, it is classified as an herb that "clears heat and drains fire" and is often used to treat conditions such as fever, night sweats, and irritability. Some traditional practitioners also use it to address symptoms associated with "yin deficiency," which can conceptually overlap with symptoms of adrenal fatigue or stress in holistic medicine systems, though the adrenal cortex itself is not referenced in classical TCM texts.

There is little to no direct traditional documentation or modern clinical evidence specifically linking Anemarrhena asphodeloides to support of the adrenal cortex or its physiological functions (e.g., cortisol production, HPA axis regulation). The rationale for its inclusion in adrenal support formulas in the West is largely extrapolated from its traditional use for fatigue, stress, and "deficiency heat" syndromes. While some laboratory studies indicate that extracts of Anemarrhena asphodeloides may possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, these findings do not establish a direct or robust connection to adrenal cortex health.

In summary, the use of Anemarrhena asphodeloides for adrenal cortex support is justified by traditional uses for symptom patterns that can overlap with adrenal fatigue, but scientific evidence for this specific application is weak and indirect.