Phellodendron, particularly the bark of Phellodendron amurense (commonly called Amur cork tree), has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is one of the main components of the classic TCM formula Huang Bai, often used for its purported "heat-clearing" and "detoxifying" properties, which in TCM are associated with the treatment of various infectious diseases, including those believed to have a viral origin. Historically, it has been used for conditions presenting with fever, diarrhea, and dysentery, which are sometimes caused by viruses.

The use of Phellodendron for infections is primarily based on its inclusion in traditional formulations rather than on robust modern scientific data. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest that berberine, the main alkaloid found in Phellodendron, exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities, including antiviral effects against certain viruses. However, these findings are preliminary and do not provide strong clinical evidence for efficacy in treating viral infections in humans.

Overall, while Phellodendron has traditional support for use in infections, scientific validation—especially for viral infections in clinical settings—remains limited. The evidence base is mostly historical and supported by laboratory studies rather than high-quality human trials.