Evidence supporting the use of: Chinese Dodder
For the health condition: Edema
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Chinese Dodder (Cuscuta chinensis) has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it is known as Tu Si Zi. Traditionally, Chinese Dodder seeds are used to support kidney and liver health, enhance vitality, and address conditions such as impotence, blurred vision, and frequent urination. In the context of edema, Chinese Dodder is not a primary diuretic nor one of the main herbs used for fluid retention in classical TCM practice. However, it is sometimes included in complex herbal formulas to address underlying deficiencies (especially Kidney Yang deficiency) that are thought, in TCM theory, to contribute to fluid accumulation and edema.
There is limited direct scientific evidence supporting the use of Chinese Dodder for edema specifically. Most modern research focuses on its antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and reproductive health effects. Some animal studies suggest mild diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties, but these are preliminary and not robustly linked to clinical management of edema in humans. Thus, its use for edema is primarily justified by tradition, and is generally not a first-line herb for this condition even in TCM. The evidence for its efficacy in treating edema specifically is weak (rated 2/5), but its inclusion in some traditional formulas reflects centuries of empirical use rather than scientific validation.
Other ingredients used for Edema
anthocyaninsapricot
arjun tree
asparagus
waterhyssop
bamboo
bearberry
bilberry
Indian frankincense
bromelain
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
butcher's broom
bасора
cabbage leaf
celery
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
citrus bioflavonoids
cucumber
turmeric
dandelion
fish protein
flavonols
forsythia
fu ling
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
onion
hawthorn
hesperidin
horse chestnut
horsetail
Japanese sophora
jujube
lemon
lophatherum leaf
lovage
mannitol
moringa
mustard seed
nettle
papain
parsley
pear
pine bark
pineapple
potassium
protease
pumpkin
quercetin
rutin
scrophularia root
serratiopeptidase
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
triphala
trypsin
seaweed
watermelon
sarsaparilla
yellow root
tangerine
xanthium (cockleburs)
atractylodes
Indian bael
nut grass
alpinia galangal
punarnava
commiphora
rubia cordifolia
swertia
lingusticum wallichii
goldenrod
prickly ash
lemongrass
silk tree
juniper berries
solomon's seal
siler root
amber
dioscorea
dodder
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
morinda
cornsilk
buchu
birch
couch grass
sheep's sorrel
queen of the meadow
hydrangea
purslane
gentiana macrophylla
cleavers
shepherd's purse
peach
white oak
enzymes blend (proprietary)
Aralia
akebia
Ardisia
Angelica
Agrimony
Achyranthes
Abrus
Albizia
Ajuga
Albumin
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Aescin
Adzuki bean
Actaea spicata
Agrimonia pilosa
Arjunic Acid
Alisma
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
Atractylone
Betony
Baikal Skullcap
Blue Flag
Baliospermum
Blackthorn
Blepharis
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Big Quaking Grass
Bitter Grass
berry
Bogbean
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Bioflavonoids
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Borage
banana
Bupleurum
Baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Black Hellebore
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Casearia esculenta
Chinese Mountain Ant
Calotropis gigantea
Chervil
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cucurbita
Coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cactus
Cynomorium
Cinquefoil
Cyathula
Chlorophytum
Curcumen
Centella asiatica
Chanca Piedra
Corktree
Cabbage
Cowslip
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Chestnut
Cynodon dactylon
Collinsonia
Carthamus
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Diosmin
Danshen
Deer Root
Dipsacus
Erythropalum scandens
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Empresstree
Echinodorus
Enzyme Blend
European-Five Finger Grass
Escin
Flavonoids
Flavonones
Little ironweed
Rhubarb
Sumac
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Chinese Dodder
Aging (prevention)Amenorrhea
Anemia
Backache
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Edema
Fatigue
Glands (swollen lymph)
Hypertension
Infertility
Insomnia
Kidney Stones
Leukemia
Liver Detoxification
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nephritis
Nervous Exhaustion
Osteoporosis
Pain (general remedies for)
Premature Ejaculation
Prostatitis
Sex Drive (low)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Tinnitus
Urinary Tract Infections
Wounds and Sores