Evidence supporting the use of: Cowherb
For the health condition: Congestion
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Cowherb, also known as Vaccaria segetalis or Vaccaria hispanica, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) under the name Wang Bu Liu Xing. In TCM, cowherb seeds are considered to have properties that "promote the movement of qi and blood" and are sometimes included in herbal formulas aimed at addressing congestion-related symptoms, particularly when congestion is conceptualized as stagnation of blood or fluids in the body. This may relate to conditions such as chest congestion, breast distention, or poor lactation due to blocked milk ducts. However, the use for respiratory congestion (e.g., nasal or bronchial congestion) is less prominent in traditional literature, though some overlap in terms may occur in TCM theory. There is minimal scientific evidence supporting the use of cowherb for treating congestion of any type. Most available information comes from traditional texts and clinical experience rather than modern clinical trials. Some laboratory studies have identified saponins and other constituents in cowherb that may have anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory effects, but direct evaluation for congestion (especially in the respiratory tract) in controlled human studies is lacking. Thus, the support for using cowherb for congestion is primarily traditional, with anecdotal and historical rather than robust scientific backing.
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 cowherb
Abdominal PainAbrasions
Abscesses
Allergies (respiratory)
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Cardiovascular Disease
Chest Pain
Chills
Cholera
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestive Heart Failure
