The use of Ardisia species (such as Ardisia japonica and Ardisia crenata) to support or treat swollen lymph glands is primarily rooted in traditional medicine systems, especially in East Asia. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ardisia japonica ("Zizhucao") has been used for its purported anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, and immune-supporting properties. It has been traditionally employed to address symptoms such as swelling, sore throat, and other conditions believed to involve “toxic heat” or inflammation, which can include swollen lymph nodes.

However, scientific studies directly testing the efficacy of Ardisia species for the specific indication of swollen lymph glands (lymphadenopathy) are scarce. Some laboratory and animal studies suggest that extracts from Ardisia may have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, which could theoretically support its traditional uses. For example, certain saponins and triterpenoids isolated from Ardisia species have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in animal models. Despite this, there is currently a lack of robust clinical trials or direct scientific evidence validating the effectiveness of Ardisia for swollen lymph nodes in humans.

In summary, the use of Ardisia for swollen glands is justified by tradition, but scientific validation remains limited, and the overall evidence supporting its use for this specific condition is weak.