Evidence supporting the use of: Stephania root
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Stephania root (from species such as Stephania tetrandra and Stephania glabra) has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and other Asian herbal practices. In TCM, Stephania root—often referred to as "Fang Ji"—is used to "dispel wind and dampness," alleviate pain, and sometimes to address symptoms such as cough, particularly when associated with dryness or irritation. The traditional rationale is based on its supposed ability to clear heat and remove toxins, which are believed to contribute to dryness and cough in TCM theory.
Despite its historical use, there is limited scientific research specifically evaluating Stephania root for the treatment of dry cough in humans. Most available studies focus on its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immunomodulatory properties, with some laboratory and animal model evidence suggesting that certain alkaloids (like tetrandrine) found in Stephania may have effects on airway inflammation or smooth muscle relaxation. However, these findings have not been robustly translated into clinical trials for cough—dry or otherwise.
In summary, the use of Stephania root for dry cough is primarily justified by traditional herbal practices rather than modern scientific evidence. The evidence rating given (2/5) reflects a moderate degree of longstanding traditional use but a lack of strong clinical or pharmacological data supporting its efficacy specifically for dry cough.
Other ingredients used for Cough (dry)
AcaciaAconite
Adenophora
Aerva lanata
Agastache
Alcohol
Allium tuberosum
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpinia galangal
ambergris
Anamarrhena
anise
apple
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
atractylodes
atractylone
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
balloon flower
banana
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee products
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
Bergenia
bermuda grass
beta-pinene
black currant
black pepper
black salt
black seed
boneset
Bryonia
Buddha\'s hand
burning bush
butternut
cactus
calamus
capsaicin
cat's claw
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Chinese salvia root
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
cinnamon
Cistus
citron
Citrus
Clerodendrum indicum
clove
cowage seed
cowslip
cubeb
Dichrostachys glomerata
diterpenes
dodder
dragonhead
Echinacea
Elder
elderberry
elecampane
ephedrine
fernbush
flavoglycosides
fringed pink
fritillaria
fritillary
fruit
Fumaria parviflora
Gallesia
garlic bulb
ginger
Glehnia littoralis
glehnia root
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Greek mountain tea
green tea
Guava
gum
heartwood
Hedychium spicatum
Hempnettle
honey
honey loquat syrup
hyssop
Ilex
Indian bael
Indian frankincense
Indian tinospora
inula racemosa
Japanese kadsura
Javanese Long Pepper
jujube
Khella
Lactucarium
Large-leaved linden
lemon
licorice root
Ligusticum
Lilium polyphyllum
linden
Lindera
long pepper
loquat
Loranthus
luffa
lungwort
mace
Maidenhair Fern
malabar nut
Marshmallow
Melia
Mentha haplocalyx
Menthol oil
Mucilage
Mullein
Nettle
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
onion
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
oregano
Osha
Osmanthus
Palmyra
Paris polyphylla
parsley
pear
Pelargonium
Pepper
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
Pimpinella
Piper chaba
pistacia integerrima gall
Platycodon
platycodon root
plum fruit
Polygala
polygala root
polymorpha
pomegranate
poppy
prepared aconite tuber
radish
ravinsara
Rhododendron
Sabadilla
sarsaparilla
Sedanenolide
Sete sangrias
Shogaol
Solanaceae
Stemona
Stephania root
Sundew
sweet flag
Tamarind
Tea
Terpenoids
Theobromine
thyme
Thymol
Thymoquinone
Tonka Bean
Tragacanth
turmeric
Vasicine
Vasicinol
Vasicinone
vitamin C
Vladimiria souliei
Waterhyssop
Wax Gourd
Yerba santa
Zedoary
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Stephania root
Abdominal PainAsthma
Bronchitis
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Fever
Headache (general)
Indigestion
Infection
Inflammation
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
Rashes and Hives
Wounds and Sores
