Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Forsythia (Forsythia suspensa) is primarily used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been historically employed as part of herbal formulas to treat a variety of "heat" and toxin-related conditions, including infectious diseases like cholera. In TCM, cholera is often conceptualized under the category of "epidemic toxin" or severe dysentery, and Forsythia is valued for its "heat-clearing" and detoxifying properties. Ancient texts such as the Shennong Bencao Jing and later materia medica describe Forsythia's use in treating fevers, sore throat, and severe gastrointestinal illnesses, which could have included conditions resembling cholera. However, modern scientific evidence directly supporting Forsythia’s efficacy against cholera specifically is lacking. While some laboratory studies have demonstrated Forsythia’s general antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, these are broad and not specific to Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium responsible for cholera. No high-quality clinical trials exist to validate Forsythia’s use for cholera in humans. Therefore, the use of Forsythia for cholera is justified primarily by traditional usage, with minimal scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness against the disease.

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