Evidence supporting the use of: Baphicacanthus cusia
For the health condition: Colds (antiviral)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Baphicacanthus cusia, also known as Indigofera cusia or "Qing Dai" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been historically used for various ailments, including fever and viral infections. Modern research offers some scientific support for its antiviral properties, particularly relevant to colds. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that extracts from B. cusia possess antiviral activity against a range of viruses, including influenza virus, which is one of the primary causes of the common cold.
Studies have identified compounds such as indirubin and indigo in B. cusia that may contribute to its antiviral effects. For example, research published in peer-reviewed journals has shown that ethanol and aqueous extracts of B. cusia can inhibit viral replication and reduce virus-induced cytopathic effects in cell cultures. Some animal studies also report reduced severity of symptoms when treated with B. cusia extracts.
Despite promising laboratory results, high-quality clinical trials in humans are limited or lacking. Most available evidence is preclinical, and while it supports the potential antiviral activity of B. cusia, more rigorous human studies are needed to establish its efficacy and safety for treating or preventing the common cold.
In summary, there is scientific evidence—mostly from laboratory and animal studies—suggesting B. cusia may have antiviral effects relevant to colds, but definitive clinical validation is not yet available. The evidence level is moderate (3/5), reflecting promising but preliminary findings.
More about Baphicacanthus cusia
More about Colds (antiviral)
Other ingredients used for Colds (antiviral)
AcacetinAgastache
AHCC
Allicin
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Allyl sulfide
Aloe vera
alpha-terpineol
alpinia galangal
amentoflavone
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
anthocyanins
apigenin
arabinogalactan
Asam gelugor
ash
Asteraceae
atractylone
Aureobasidium pullulans
Autumn elaeagnus
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
Baphicacanthus cusia
Basidiomycota
basil
Bassia scoparia
bee hive
bee products
bee propolis
berry
beta-pinene
Bidens pilosa
bilberry
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black cumin
black currant
black galingale
black garlic
black nightshade
black seed
blueberry
Bombax
borneol
Broussonetia
buckthorn
caffeic Acid
Camellia sinensis
capillary artemisia
carrageenan
carvacrol
cat's claw
catechins
Celosia
Chinese mountain ant
Chinese raisintree
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
cinnamaldehyde
cinnamon
Cistus
citron
Citrus
citrus bioflavonoids
Clerodendrum trichotomum
clove
coconut
commiphora
common madia
coriolus mushroom
costus
cowherb
curry leaf
David\'s milkberry
deoxyandrographolides
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
essential oil blend
European Elder
flavones
flavonoids
flavonones
forsythia
fruit
fulvic acid
fungus
Galangal
Gallesia
gallotannin
gamma-terpinene
ganoderma
garlic
garlic bulb
ginger
glyceryl monolaurate
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Glycyrrhizin
goji berry
goldthread
green tea
Hedyotis
Himalaya berry
honey
honey loquat syrup
honeysuckle
Houttuynia
hyssop
Indian frankincense
Indian kinotree
indigo leaves
Isatis
knotweed
labrador tea
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Laggera pterodonta
lauric acid
lemon
lemongrass
lichen
licorice root
Ligusticum
ligustilides
Ligustrum
Litsea
liverwort
Lomatium
luffa
luteolin
mangostin
Mastic gum
Melia
Mineral ascorbate
Monolaurin
Monoterpenes
Morinda
Morus
Mugwort
Mushroom
Naphthoquinones
Neem tree
Neoandrographolides
nut grass
Nymphaea nouchali
oregano
oriental arborvitae
Osha
Osmanthus
Oxystelma
papaya
Paris polyphylla
Patrinia
pau d'arco
perilla
Petiveria
Phaeophyceae
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
phenolic compounds
Phenylpropanoids
Phyllanthus
pineapple
Piper nigrum
Polygonum
pomegranate
Propolis
quercetin
ravinsara
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
saponins
schizonepeta
Sesquiterpenes
shiitake mushroom
Shikimic Acid
Shogaol
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Solanum indicum
Sophora
soursop
spirulina
Tagetes
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Tea
Terpenoids
Theaflavin
Thiosulfinate
thyme
Thymus
Trametes
Triterpenes
turmeric
Verbascoside
Viola
Violet
Visnea Mocanera
vitamin C
vitamin D
Wasabi
Waterhyssop
White Tea
xanthium (cockleburs)
Xanthorrhizol
zanthoxylum
Zinc
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by Baphicacanthus cusia
AbscessesAcne
Adenitis
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Asthma
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Chicken Pox
Chills
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Cuts
Dandruff
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Eczema
Emphysema
Eye Infections
Eyes (red or itching)
Fever
Fungal Infections
Gangrene
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Herpes
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Insect Repellant
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Laryngitis
Psoriasis
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Skin (infections)
Sore Throat
Staph Infections
Strep Throat
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Wounds and Sores
