Evidence supporting the use of: Fernbush
For the health condition: Congestion (bronchial)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Fernbush (Chamaebatiaria millefolium) has a history of traditional use among Native American peoples, particularly in the Intermountain West of North America. Herbalists and indigenous groups have employed infusions or decoctions of Fernbush leaves as remedies for respiratory conditions, including bronchial congestion, coughs, and colds. This use is rooted in oral traditions and ethnobotanical records but is not well documented in modern clinical or pharmacological literature. There are a handful of references in ethnobotanical surveys (e.g., Moerman’s "Native American Ethnobotany") that describe its use for respiratory complaints, but these are typically anecdotal and lacking in detail about preparation, dosage, or efficacy.
To date, there is no significant scientific research—such as controlled trials, phytochemical analyses, or pharmacological studies—specifically validating Fernbush’s effectiveness for bronchial congestion. Its use for this purpose remains within the realm of traditional herbal medicine, and it is not widely recognized or recommended in contemporary medical or herbal compendia for respiratory support. As such, while there is some traditional precedent for Fernbush’s use in treating bronchial congestion, the evidence supporting its efficacy is limited and largely anecdotal.
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 Fernbush
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Allergies (respiratory)
Asthma
Backache
Bronchitis
Congestion (bronchial)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Edema
Emphysema
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Indigestion
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
Sore Throat
Wounds and Sores