Evidence supporting the use of: Chinese Goldthread
For the health condition: Cholera

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Chinese Goldthread (Coptis chinensis, 黄连, huánglián) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for centuries, particularly for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Its use to support or treat cholera is rooted primarily in historical practices. In the TCM framework, Goldthread is considered to have strong "heat-clearing" and "dampness-drying" properties, which made it a common remedy for severe diarrhea and dysentery—symptoms that overlap with those of cholera. Classic TCM texts and materia medica, such as the Shennong Bencao Jing and later the Compendium of Materia Medica, mention its application in severe gastrointestinal infections.

The main active component, berberine, does have documented antimicrobial properties, and some modern studies suggest it can inhibit certain bacteria involved in gastrointestinal infections. However, direct scientific validation for its effectiveness specifically against Vibrio cholerae (the causative agent of cholera) in clinical settings is limited. Most evidence supporting its use for cholera comes from traditional use and not from robust clinical trials. Therefore, while its use is well-established in traditional medicine, scientific evidence for its efficacy against cholera is weak or indirect.

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