Evidence supporting the use of: Bombax
For the health condition: Congestion
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Bombax, particularly Bombax ceiba (commonly known as the silk cotton tree), has a long-standing history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and folk medicine across South and Southeast Asia. Traditionally, various parts of the plant—especially the bark, flowers, and roots—have been used for their purported medicinal properties, including the treatment of respiratory issues like coughs and chest congestion. These uses are primarily based on empirical knowledge passed down through generations. The mucilaginous and demulcent qualities of Bombax parts have been cited as soothing agents for irritated respiratory passages, theoretically helping to alleviate congestion by reducing inflammation and promoting mucus clearance.
However, scientific validation for these uses is limited. While some preliminary pharmacological studies indicate that Bombax species possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, there is little direct research specifically addressing their efficacy for respiratory congestion in humans. Most available evidence comes from ethnobotanical surveys and traditional medical texts rather than clinical trials or controlled studies. Thus, the support for Bombax in the treatment of congestion is rated as a 2, reflecting a primarily traditional basis with limited scientific corroboration.
Other ingredients used for Congestion
AconiteAgastache
Akebia
Alcohol
Allicin
Allspice
alpha-terpineol
anise
Arisaema
asafoetida
Asarum heterotropoides
atractylodes
atractylone
balsam
Barleria
basil
bayleaf
bee products
berry
beta-pinene
betel
birch
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black currant
black pepper
black salt
blackboard tree
Bombax
borneol
buckthorn
Buddha\'s hand
cajuput
Camellia sinensis
cardamom
cayenne pepper
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
cineole
Citrus
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coltsfoot
cowherb
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
Ephedra
ephedrine
essential oil blend
eucalyptus
European Elder
ferula assafoetida
Gallesia
gamma-terpinene
garlic bulb
ginger
green tea
heal-all
honey
Horsemint
horseradish
hyssop
Isatis
Ivy
joe-pye
lemongrass
licorice root
Ligusticum
long pepper
malabar nut
mallow
Meadow sage
Menthol oil
Monoterpenes
Mugwort
Nardostachys
Orris
Osha
Piper retrofractum
Platycodon
pomegranate
Pyrrosia
quercetin
ravinsara
rosemary
Sambucus nigra
Sassafras
Servicetree
Sesquiterpenes
Sichuan pepper
spearmint leaf
squawvine
sweet flag
Szechuan lovage
Tayuya
thyme
Thymus
Trichosanthes
turmeric
Vasicine
Vasicinone
Vervain
vitamin C
Wasabi
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by Bombax
Abdominal PainAbrasions
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Anemia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Anxiety
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bleeding (external)
Blood Poisoning
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Canker Sores
Chest Pain
Chills
Cholera
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cuts
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Eczema
Edema
Emotional Sensitivity
Fever
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Goiter
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Hepatitis
Hot Flashes
Hypertension
Indigestion
