Evidence supporting the use of: Asarum heterotropoides
For the body system: Bronchials
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3
Asarum heterotropoides, commonly known as wild ginger or "Xi Xin" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has a long history of use for supporting the respiratory system, including the bronchials. In TCM, Xi Xin is included in classic formulas intended to treat coughs, asthma, and other conditions involving "wind-cold" affecting the lungs. Its traditional uses include alleviating cough, relieving nasal congestion, and acting as an expectorant. Historical texts and materia medica such as the "Shennong Bencao Jing" describe its use to "disperse cold and open the orifices," which is interpreted as supporting respiratory and bronchial health.
Modern pharmacological studies have identified essential oils and compounds such as methyl eugenol, safrole, and asarinin in Asarum heterotropoides, some of which exhibit mild anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory actions in animal or cell studies. However, robust clinical trials in humans are lacking, and concerns exist regarding potential toxicity (especially nephrotoxicity and carcinogenicity from aristolochic acids, though these are reportedly low or absent in this species compared to others in the Aristolochiaceae family). Overall, use of Asarum heterotropoides to support the bronchial system is strongly rooted in tradition, with limited scientific validation. Caution is advised due to possible safety issues, and regulatory status varies by country.
Other ingredients that support Bronchials
Abies spectabilisAdenophora
Adrenergic amines
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
Alstonia scholaris
Arisaema
asafoetida
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
aster root
astragalus
balloon flower
balsam
Belamcanda
benzoin
beta-pinene
black seed
Black spruce
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
Bougainvillea
butterbur
cajuput
calamus
camphor oil
capsicum
caraway
catecholamine
catnip
Cedrus libani
Centipeda
chamomile
Chekiang Fritillary
cineole
Coleus forskohlii
coltsfoot
cowslip
deerbrush
Desmodium
elecampane
elemi
Ephedra
ephedrine
eriodictyol
eucalyptus
European Elder
fir
forskohlii root
fritillaria
fritillary
fungus
Garrya
ginger
ginseng
Glehnia littoralis
glehnia root
Glycyrrhizin
Grindelia
Guaco
Gumweed
Hederacoside
Hedychium spicatum
herbal blend (proprietary)
Higenamine
honey loquat syrup
horehound
hyssop
inula racemosa
Ivy
Khella
Lactucarium
Lebbek
Ligusticum
lingzhi
lobelia
Lomatium
luffa
lungwort
Maidenhair Fern
malabar nut
Malva sylvestris
Marshmallow
Menthol oil
Methylxanthine
Monardella odoratissima
Mondo grass
Mormon Tea
Mountain pride
Mullein
Myrrh
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Nasturtium
Nigella seed
Night jessamine
Osha
Pelargonium
perilla
Petasines
Peucedanum
Pinellia ternata
pistacia integerrima gall
Platycodon
platycodon root
Plectranthus amboinicus
prickly ash
Pulsatilla
purple butterbur root
Quebracho
ravinsara
rubber rabbitbrush
Sabadilla
Serrapeptase
serratiopeptidase
Sida cordifolia
slippery elm bark
Spanish Needle
Stemona
Storax
Sundew
tartarian aster
Terpenoids
Theophylline
thyme
turmeric
Tylophora
Tylophorine
Umckalin
Umckaloabo
Vasicine
Vasicinol
Vasicinone
Xanthine
Yerba santa
zhejiang fritillary
Other body systems supported by Asarum heterotropoides
BronchialsDigestive System
Gastrointestinal Tract
Immune System
Lungs
Mucus Membranes
Respiratory System
Sinuses
Stomach
