Evidence supporting the use of: Adenophora
For the health condition: Cough (damp)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3
Adenophora (commonly called "Sha Shen" in Traditional Chinese Medicine) has a long-standing history of use for treating coughs, particularly those associated with dryness and phlegm (often described as "damp" coughs in TCM). According to classical Chinese medical texts, Adenophora root is believed to moisten the lungs, clear heat, and transform phlegm, making it a traditional remedy for chronic coughs, sore throats, and respiratory discomfort attributed to dryness and internal heat. Several authoritative materia medica compilations, such as the "Shennong Bencao Jing" and "Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica" by Bensky and Gamble, reference its use for these purposes.
While there is some preliminary pharmacological research suggesting that Adenophora extracts may possess anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, rigorous clinical trials in humans to support its efficacy for cough are lacking. Most of the available evidence remains anecdotal or based on traditional practice, with only limited in vitro and animal studies indicating potential benefits on respiratory health. Thus, its use is primarily justified by tradition rather than modern scientific validation, though the traditional evidence is substantial and well-documented within the context of Chinese herbal medicine.
Other ingredients used for Cough (damp)
AdenophoraAllium tuberosum
Aloe vera
alpinia galangal
Anamarrhena
anise
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
atractylodes
atractylone
bael
balloon flower
black currant
black pepper
butternut
Chekiang Fritillary
chen pi
Chondrus
cineole
clove
coltsfoot
common madia
cowage seed
Dichrostachys glomerata
elderberry
eucalyptus
ferula assafoetida
fritillaria
Galangal
Gallesia
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
green tea
Grindelia
honey
horehound
hyssop
inula racemosa
Ivy
Japanese kadsura
Javanese Long Pepper
licorice root
Ligusticum
ligustilides
Lilium polyphyllum
long pepper
loquat
Loranthus
Mentha haplocalyx
Monoterpenes
Mucolase
oregano
Osha
parsley
pear
perilla
phellodendron amurense
Pinellia ternata
pistacia integerrima gall
Platycodon
platycodon root
pomegranate
quercetin
radish
ravinsara
rhizome
Shogaol
Solanaceae
Sundew
Tamarind
thyme
turmeric
Vasicine
Vasicinol
Vasicinone
Visnea Mocanera
Wax Gourd
Zedoary
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
