Evidence supporting the use of: Aster tataricus
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Aster tataricus (commonly known as Zi Wan in Traditional Chinese Medicine) has a long history of use for treating coughs, particularly those that are persistent or spasmodic in nature. Historical texts and materia medica from Chinese medicine describe Zi Wan as having expectorant and antitussive (cough-suppressing) properties. It is commonly used in combination with other herbs in formulas intended to relieve cough, clear phlegm, and moisten the lungs. The traditional rationale is based on the herb’s purported ability to facilitate the movement of lung qi and resolve phlegm, thereby reducing cough symptoms.
Regarding scientific validation, there is limited but suggestive preclinical evidence. Some in vitro and animal studies indicate that extracts of Aster tataricus may possess antitussive and expectorant effects, possibly attributable to compounds like saponins and triterpenoids. However, robust clinical trials in humans are lacking, and the mechanisms of action remain incompletely understood. Thus, while its use is well-supported by tradition and some laboratory data, high-quality human evidence is insufficient. As a result, the primary justification for its use remains traditional, with a moderate evidence rating due to the absence of substantial clinical validation.
Other ingredients used for Cough (spastic)
Aloe veraalpha-pinene
apple
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
cat's claw
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
clove
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
grape
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
heartwood
Indian tinospora
jujube
lemon
licorice root
lovage
nettle
ophiopogon root
orange
pear
platycodon root
plum fruit
pomegranate
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
sarsaparilla
boneset
mullein
tangerine
hyssop
atractylodes
lobelia
capsicum
Indian bael
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
punarnava
prickly ash
fritillaria
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
juniper berries
dodder
sweet flag
eucalyptus
Abies spectabilis
horehound
soursop
Alcohol
Aralia
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Alpha-terpineol
Ambergris
Acacia
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Allyl Sulfide
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Aniseed myrtle
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bayleaf
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Cnidium
Cactus
Citron
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Cistus
Cubeb
Cowslip
Calamus
Cyanthillium cinereum
Cinnamaldehyde
Costus
Chekiang Fritillary
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Dichrostachys glomerata
Echinacea
Ephedrine
Fritillary
Fernbush
Flavoglycosides
Glehnia littoralis
Guava
Guaco
gum
Grindelia
Gallesia
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Galangal
Glycyrrhizin
Honey
Honey loquat syrup
Ilex
Ivy
Japanese Kadsura
Jatoba
Javanese Long Pepper
Khella
Loquat
Lactucarium
Linden
Lindera
Large-Leaved Linden
Loranthus
Lungwort
Ligusticum
Mentha haplocalyx
Marsh Tea
Mucilage
Melia
Mace
Madder
Maidenhair Fern
Meadow sage
Nigella Seed
Nymphaea nouchali
Nutmeg
Ophiopogon
Oroxylum indicum
Osha
Osmanthus
Piper chaba
Pinellia Ternata
Prepared Aconite Tuber
Polypodium
Platycodon
Paris polyphylla
Pelargonium
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
Pimpinella
Poppy
Polygala
Ravinsara
Rhododendron
Sabadilla
Sete sangrias
Stemona
Shogaol
Terpenoids
Theobromine
Tea
Thymoquinone
Varuna
Vasicine
Vladimiria souliei
Vasicinol
Vasicinone
Yerba buena
Zedoary
Zingerone