Evidence supporting the use of: Little ironweed
For the health condition: Colds (with fever)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Little ironweed (Vernonia cinerea) has a long history of traditional use in various regions, particularly in South and Southeast Asia, for the treatment of colds and fevers. In traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and folk medicine, the aerial parts or decoctions of Little ironweed are used as febrifuges (fever-reducing agents) and for relief from cold symptoms. Ethnobotanical surveys in India, Thailand, and the Philippines have documented these uses, often involving preparations made from the leaves or whole plant.
Scientifically, there is limited direct evidence to support the efficacy of Little ironweed specifically for colds with fever. Some laboratory studies have reported that extracts of Vernonia cinerea possess anti-inflammatory and mild antipyretic (fever-reducing) properties, which might provide a rationale for its traditional use. However, these effects have been demonstrated mostly in animal models or in vitro, and clinical trials in humans for colds or fevers are lacking. The main support for its use in treating colds with fever remains rooted in cultural practices rather than robust scientific validation.
Therefore, while the use of Little ironweed for colds with fever is justified by tradition and some preliminary pharmacological findings, the overall evidence supporting its effectiveness for this specific condition is modest and not well-substantiated by rigorous clinical research.
Other ingredients used for Colds (with fever)
AcaciaAconite
Aerva lanata
Agastache
Ajuga
Aloe vera
alpinia galangal
Amomum
Amor seco
Andrographis
andrographolide
anthocyanins
Arani
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
aster root
Asteraceae
atractylone
avens
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
basil
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee products
bermuda grass
bilberry
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black cumin
black currant
black galingale
black nightshade
blackboard tree
blueberry
boxthorne
buckthorn
bur-reed
capillary artemisia
capsaicinoids
Celosia
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
chrysophanics
cinnamaldehyde
Cistus
clove
coconut milk
common madia
cowage seed
cowherb
dragonhead
Eclipta
elderberry
flavoglycosides
forsythia
fruit
gamma-terpinene
garlic bulb
ginger
Glechoma hederacea
Gnaphalium
grape
green chiretta
green tea
hemp
honey
Horsemint
hyacinth bean
Indian fagonia
indigo leaves
Isatis
isoquinoline alkaloids
Laggera pterodonta
lemon
Lewis's monkey flower
licorice root
Ligusticum
linalool
little ironweed
lodhtree
long pepper
luffa
mallow
Melia
Monoterpenes
Mugwort
Mushroom
nut grass
Onosma bracteatum
Oroxylum indicum
Oxystelma
Pansit-pansitan
Paris polyphylla
pear
Peucedanum
Phenylpropanoids
Piper nigrum
pistacia integerrima gall
plantain
pomegranate
quercetin
rhizome
rosemary
sage
Salvia
Scabrous Gentian
Sesbania
Sesquiterpenes
Shogaol
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Solanum indicum
Southern Tsangshu
Sphaeranthus indicus
Sweet Annie
sweet flag
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Tea
thyme
Thymus
Trichosanthes
turmeric
Umckaloabo
Vervain
Viola
vitamin C
vitamin D
Water Pepper
Winter Savory
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yerba santa
Zinc
Zingerone
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by little ironweed
Abdominal PainAbrasions
Abscesses
Afterbirth Pain
Anemia
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Backache
Bleeding (external)
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Canker Sores
Chest Pain
Colds (general)
Colds (with fever)
Cuts
Depression
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Eczema
Edema
Eye Problems
Fatigue
Fever
Gastritis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Headache (general)
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Inflammation
Influenza
Insomnia
Jaundice (adults)
Kidney Infection
Liver Detoxification
Menstrual Irregularity
Migraine
Nausea and Vomiting
