Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

Fritillaria, especially the bulbs of Fritillaria cirrhosa and related species (known as "Chuan Bei Mu" in Traditional Chinese Medicine), has a long history of use in Eastern herbal medicine for treating coughs, particularly those associated with "dampness" and "phlegm" as conceptualized in TCM theory. The herb is believed to moisten the lungs, clear heat, and transform phlegm, making it a popular remedy for chronic cough with thick sputum or dry coughs that linger. Traditional texts such as the Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica) describe its use for these purposes. Modern pharmacological studies have identified various alkaloids in Fritillaria bulbs that exhibit antitussive (cough-suppressing), expectorant, and anti-inflammatory properties in animal models and in vitro studies. However, high-quality human clinical trials are limited, and most evidence remains based on traditional usage and preclinical research. The use of Fritillaria for "damp cough" thus remains primarily justified by centuries of traditional practice, with a moderate but not definitive level of scientific support.

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