Asarum sieboldii (commonly known as "xi xin" in traditional Chinese medicine, TCM) has a longstanding historical use for treating coughs, particularly those associated with "dampness" and "cold" patterns, according to TCM theory. Its use for this purpose is documented in classic Chinese medical texts such as the Shennong Bencao Jing and subsequent materia medica. In TCM, coughs related to "dampness" are characterized by symptoms such as a productive cough with copious, sticky sputum, a feeling of heaviness, and a greasy tongue coating. Asarum sieboldii is believed to have warming and dispersing effects, helping to resolve phlegm, relieve cough, and expel external cold and damp pathogens.

From a scientific perspective, there are some laboratory studies showing that compounds in Asarum sieboldii possess antitussive (cough-suppressing) and anti-inflammatory properties, but robust clinical evidence in humans is lacking. The traditional use, however, is well-established and forms the primary justification for its inclusion in formulas addressing coughs with a "damp" component. Modern safety concerns exist due to the presence of aristolochic acids, which are nephrotoxic and carcinogenic, leading to regulatory restrictions in some countries. Despite this, Asarum sieboldii remains a component in traditional cough remedies in various East Asian medical systems.