Synopsis

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

Zhejiang fritillary (Fritillaria thunbergii), known as "Zhe Bei Mu" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has a long history of use for treating coughs, particularly those characterized as "spastic" or persistent, dry, and sometimes with thick phlegm. In TCM, Zhe Bei Mu is considered to have properties that clear heat, moisten the lungs, and resolve phlegm, making it a common ingredient in herbal formulas aimed at relieving cough and related respiratory symptoms.

Classical TCM texts, such as the "Shennong Bencao Jing" and "Bencao Gangmu," describe its use for various types of cough, including chronic and spasmodic coughs. The traditional theory holds that Zhe Bei Mu acts on the lung and heart meridians to soothe irritation, reduce phlegm, and calm the respiratory tract.

Modern pharmacological studies have identified alkaloids such as peimine and peiminine in Fritillaria species, which exhibit antitussive (cough-suppressing), expectorant, and anti-inflammatory effects in animal models. However, robust clinical trials in humans are limited, and most of the supporting evidence for its effectiveness in treating spastic cough remains rooted in traditional use and small-scale studies. Therefore, while there is some preliminary scientific support, the primary justification remains traditional, with a moderate level of evidence (3/5) based on a combination of historical use and limited pharmacological data.

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