Evidence supporting the use of: Luo Han Guo
For the health condition: Congestion (lungs)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Luo Han Guo (Siraitia grosvenorii), also known as monk fruit, has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating respiratory conditions, especially lung congestion, coughs, and sore throats. Historical records and TCM texts describe Luo Han Guo as having cooling and moistening properties, which are believed to help clear heat and phlegm from the lungs. The fruit is often made into teas or decoctions aimed at relieving cough and soothing the airways.
While Luo Han Guo is widely used in traditional practices for lung congestion, robust scientific validation for this specific use is limited. Some preliminary pharmacological studies indicate that extracts of Luo Han Guo possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which could theoretically contribute to respiratory relief. However, clinical trials directly assessing its efficacy for lung congestion are lacking. Most modern scientific interest has focused on its sweetening compounds (mogrosides) and their metabolic effects rather than respiratory benefits.
In summary, Luo Han Guo’s use for lung congestion is primarily justified by tradition, supported by centuries of empirical use in Chinese medicine, but current scientific evidence is not strong. Its traditional role remains prominent in herbal formulas for coughs and phlegm, though more clinical research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
Other ingredients used for Congestion (lungs)
AllspiceAloe vera
alpha-pinene
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
capsaicinoids
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
clove
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
onion
green tea
horseradish
Indian tinospora
licorice root
lovage
mustard seed
spruce
ophiopogon root
oregano
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phenolic compounds
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
Szechuan lovage
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
Agastache
Ambergris
Ardisia
Angelica
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Allyl isothiocyanate
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bisabolene
Bee hive
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
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Citrus
Cineole
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Curcumen
Cistus
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Carthamus
Culvers Root
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Ephedra
European Elder
Evodia
Eclipta
Echinacea
Elder
Essential Oil Blend
Ephedrine
European-Five Finger Grass
Fang-Feng
Fat liver oil
Flavoglycosides
Frankincense
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
Guaco
Gallesia
Gardenia jasminoides
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Galangal
Heartsease
Honey
Hedyotis
Houttuynia
Helicteres isora
Horsemint
Isatis
Long Pepper
Ivy
Jungli-bean
Khella
Ledebouriella
Litsea
Lomatium
Lichen
Laggera pterodonta
Limonene
Ligustrazin
Labrador Tea
Lungwort
Ligusticum
Mountain Pepper
Mustard
Mallow
Monoterpenes
Methylxanthine
Meadow sage
Mucolase
Neoandrographolides
Nutmeg
Ophiopogon
Oroxylum indicum
Osha
Orris
Phellodendron
Pinellia Ternata
Pluchea
Prepared Aconite Tuber
Platycodon
Pepper
Paris polyphylla
Peucedanum
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
Piper nigrum
Polygonum
Rubiaceae
Ravinsara
Sichuan Lovage
Sophora
Smartweed
Sesquiterpenes
Solanum indicum
Sambucus nigra
Sagebrush
Sandalwood
Stereospermum
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sundew
Servicetree
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Terpinolene
Vervain
Visnea Mocanera
Vasicine
Violet
Viola
Vladimiria souliei
Vasicinone
Wulinshen
Winter Savory
Yerba buena
Zingiberene
Zedoary
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Luo Han Guo
Acid IndigestionAllergies (respiratory)
Asthma
Bronchitis
Cancer (prevention)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Fever
Gastritis
Hangover
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Hypertension
Indigestion
Influenza
Laryngitis
Pneumonia
Rashes and Hives
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Sinus Infection
Sore Throat
Sugar Cravings
Ulcers