Synopsis

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

Glehnia root (Glehnia littoralis), known as "Bei Sha Shen" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has been used for centuries to treat respiratory conditions such as coughs, particularly those described as "cough with dampness" or "phlegm-heat" patterns. In TCM theory, Glehnia root is believed to nourish lung yin, clear heat, and moisten dryness, which can help relieve symptoms like dry or sticky coughs, sore throat, and hoarseness—especially when these symptoms are accompanied by signs of internal heat or dampness.

Several classical Chinese medical texts, including the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing and Ben Cao Gang Mu, list Glehnia root as an important ingredient for coughs due to its moistening and cooling effects. Its use is particularly indicated when cough is associated with dry throat, scanty sputum, or irritability—symptoms that, in TCM, may be attributed to "dampness" disrupting the normal function of the lungs.

Modern pharmacological research has identified some anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties in Glehnia root extracts, and animal studies suggest possible benefits for lung health. However, robust clinical trials in humans are lacking, and the evidence base is largely preclinical and historical. Thus, while there is considerable traditional support for its use in "damp cough," scientific validation remains limited, warranting a moderate evidence rating based on historical use rather than modern clinical proof.

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