Evidence supporting the use of: Water Pepper
For the health condition: Colds (with fever)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Water Pepper (Persicaria hydropiper, also known as Polygonum hydropiper) has a history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in East Asia and Europe. In these traditions, Water Pepper was employed for a variety of ailments, including as a remedy for colds accompanied by fever. Traditional herbalists valued its pungent, acrid qualities and sometimes used it as a diaphoretic, meaning it was believed to promote sweating and thereby help "break" a fever. However, the supporting evidence for this use is limited to historical texts and ethnobotanical reports; there are no robust clinical trials or modern pharmacological studies specifically validating Water Pepper’s efficacy for treating colds or fevers. Its traditional use is thought to be based on its irritant and stimulating properties, which may have been interpreted as beneficial in clearing respiratory passages or encouraging sweating. Contemporary herbal medicine rarely includes Water Pepper for colds, likely due to its potential toxicity and irritant effects. In summary, while Water Pepper has a documented traditional use for fevers and colds, this use is not supported by modern scientific research, and its traditional application is not widespread or strongly substantiated.
Other ingredients used for Colds (with fever)
aloe veragreen chiretta
anthocyanins
basil
bilberry
black cumin
black currant
blueberry
capsaicinoids
chamomile
citrus oil
clove
coconut milk
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
green tea
lemon
licorice root
pear
plantain
pomegranate
quercetin
rhizome
rosemary
sage
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
vitamin D
zinc
xanthium (cockleburs)
mugwort
nut grass
alpinia galangal
pistacia integerrima gall
blackboard tree
boxthorne
buckthorn
yerba santa
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
trichosanthes
aster root
indigo leaves
Avens
Agastache
Ardisia
acacia
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Ajuga
Andrographolide
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Asteracea
Amor seco
Arani
Atractylone
Bermuda Grass
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bishop's Weed
Bayleaf
Black galingale
Bitter Grass
Bael
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Bur-Reed
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bassia scoparia
Capillary Artemisia
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Cistus
Common madia
Cinnamaldehyde
Celosia
Chrysophanics
Dragonhead
Eclipta
Little ironweed
Mallow
Vervain
Other health conditions supported by Water Pepper
Abdominal PainAppetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Backache
Bladder Infection
Blood Poisoning
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (prevention)
Canker Sores
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Cuts
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Fatigue
Fever
Fungal Infections
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Infection