Evidence supporting the use of: Bidens pilosa
For the health condition: Congestion (bronchial)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Bidens pilosa, commonly known as Spanish needle or blackjack, has a long history of use in traditional medicine across Africa, Asia, and South America. For bronchial congestion and related respiratory issues, traditional healers have employed decoctions, infusions, or extracts of the plant mainly for their reputed expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties. Ethnobotanical surveys from regions such as Nigeria, Brazil, and China frequently document its use for coughs, colds, bronchitis, and chest congestion. The rationale is often attributed to the presence of flavonoids, polyacetylenes, and other secondary metabolites, which are thought to exhibit antimicrobial and mucolytic effects. However, direct scientific validation specifically targeting bronchial congestion is limited. While some in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that Bidens pilosa possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities, robust clinical trials or targeted pharmacological studies confirming efficacy for bronchial congestion in humans are lacking. Thus, its use for this indication is primarily justified by longstanding traditional practices rather than high-quality scientific evidence.
Other ingredients used for Congestion (bronchial)
allspicealoe vera
alpha-pinene
waterhyssop
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
caffeine
capsaicinoids
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
clove
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ethanol
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
onion
green tea
horseradish
Indian tinospora
licorice root
lovage
mustard seed
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
spruce
ophiopogon root
oregano
perilla
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
pomegranate
quercetin
rosemary
scrophularia root
shiitake mushroom
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
yellow root
squawvine
boneset
mullein
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
mugwort
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
inula racemosa
anise
blackboard tree
lingusticum wallichii
buckthorn
fritillaria
lemongrass
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
chrysanthemum
juniper berries
siler root
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
eucalyptus
menthol oil
aster root
abies spectabilis
horehound
Sichuan pepper
cayenne pepper
soursop
Alcohol
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Angelica
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Adrenergic amines
Asteracea
Allyl Sulfide
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Black spruce
Bicarbonate
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Black galingale
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bisabolene
Bael
berry
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Bombax
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Bupleurum
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Chinese Mountain Ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Citrus
Cineole
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Curcumen
Cistus
Curcuma
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Carthamus
Culvers Root
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Ephedra
European Elder
Eclipta
Echinacea
Elder
Essential Oil Blend
Ephedrine
Galangal
Ivy
Mustard
Mallow
Sandalwood
Vervain
Other health conditions supported by Bidens pilosa
Abdominal PainAbscesses
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Allergies (respiratory)
Anemia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Arthritis
Asthma
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Chest Pain
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cuts
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia