Evidence supporting the use of: Goldthread (unspecified)
For the health condition: Chest Pain
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Goldthread, referring to plants in the Coptis genus (such as Coptis chinensis), has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is mainly valued for its bitter, cooling properties and is traditionally used to "clear heat" and "dry dampness," primarily in the context of digestive complaints, infections, and inflammation. Occasionally, in classical TCM texts, Goldthread is included in formulas addressing "chest impediment" or "chest pain" (referred to as "xiong bi"), but this is generally in the context of syndromes attributed to internal heat toxins or damp-heat obstructing the chest. The main active constituent, berberine, does have a range of pharmacological actions, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and some cardiovascular effects. However, there is no robust modern clinical evidence supporting Goldthread’s effectiveness specifically for chest pain—either angina, musculoskeletal pain, or other etiologies. Its use for this purpose remains based on traditional theory rather than empirical validation. No major clinical guidelines or modern herbal pharmacopeias recommend Goldthread for chest pain as a primary indication. Thus, while there is some historical precedent, the evidence supporting its use for chest pain is weak and cannot be considered scientifically validated.
Other ingredients used for Chest Pain
allspicebasil
betel
clove
turmeric
fish oil
garlic bulb
ginger
hawthorn
magnesium
pear
plantain
pomegranate
rhizome
rosemary
scrophularia root
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
xanthium (cockleburs)
mugwort
alpinia galangal
inula racemosa
pistacia integerrima gall
commiphora
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
lingusticum wallichii
siler root
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
menthol oil
paw paw
herbal blend (proprietary)
Ash
Avens
Ardisia
Anamu
Aconite
Ajuga
Adrenergic amines
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Acetylsalicylic acid
Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
Bidens pilosa
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Bayleaf
Butea monosperma
Black galingale
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bassia scoparia
Borneol
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Capillary Artemisia
Citron
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Dianthus
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Essential Oil Blend
Euphorbia
European-Five Finger Grass
Little ironweed
Mallow
Poppy
Other health conditions supported by Goldthread (unspecified)
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Anxiety
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Blood Poisoning
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Canker Sores
Chest Pain
Chills
Cholera
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colic (adults)
Colitis
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Cuts
Debility
Depression
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache