Patrinia species, such as Patrinia scabiosaefolia and Patrinia villosa, have been used in traditional East Asian medicine for centuries. In the context of colds, their use is primarily rooted in traditional herbal medicine systems like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Kampo (Japanese traditional medicine). Patrinia is sometimes included in herbal formulas aimed at "clearing heat," "detoxifying," or supporting immune function, which are traditional concepts associated with fighting infections, including the common cold.

While there are a few preclinical studies suggesting that certain extracts from Patrinia species have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and modest antiviral properties, these studies are limited to in vitro (test tube) or animal models and do not specifically address their efficacy against common cold viruses in humans. There are no robust clinical trials or high-quality scientific studies in humans demonstrating that Patrinia directly prevents, treats, or shortens the duration of colds. Thus, its use for this condition remains primarily traditional, with only weak scientific evidence indirectly supportive of potential antiviral effects. Patrinia’s role in cold remedies is best understood as part of a broader, multi-herb traditional approach rather than as a standalone antiviral therapy.