Evidence supporting the use of: Anamarrhena
For the health condition: Influenza
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Anemarrhena asphodeloides (known as Zhimu in traditional Chinese medicine) has a long history of use in East Asian medicine. Traditionally, it is employed to "clear heat," "nourish yin," and "moisten dryness," and is often included in herbal formulas designed to treat febrile illnesses, which can include influenza-like symptoms such as fever and cough. Its use for influenza specifically is based on its role in formulas that address symptoms matching traditional conceptions of flu, rather than on direct evidence against the influenza virus.
Modern pharmacological studies have found that Anemarrhena contains steroidal saponins, xanthones, and other compounds with potential anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest certain extracts may have immunomodulatory or mild antiviral properties, but high-quality clinical trials in humans are lacking. There is no direct scientific evidence demonstrating efficacy of Anemarrhena against influenza infection itself. Thus, its use in this context is primarily justified by tradition, and scientific support is weak. The evidence rating reflects that while traditional use is well established, modern validation is limited.
Other ingredients used for Influenza
Abies spectabilisAcacia
Adenophora
Agarikon Mushroom
Agastache
Agrimony
AHCC
Algae
Allicin
Alliin
alpinia galangal
Alstonia scholaris
American Liverleaf
Anamarrhena
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
anemarrhena asphodeloides
apple cider vinegar
Asarum sieboldii
astragaloside
astragalus
avens
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
balloon flower
balsam
Basidiomycota
bee propolis
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black garlic
Black Hellebore
black pepper
black seed
boneset
borage
Bryonia
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
camu camu
carvacrol
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
Centipeda
Chaenomeles lagenaria
chaga mushroom
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
cineole
Cistus
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coconut oil
Coptis chinensis
cordyceps
coriolus mushroom
currant
dog rose
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
elk antler
Embelia
Ephedra
eucalyptus
Euphorbia
European Elder
fat liver oil
flavanones
flavones
flowering quince
frankincense
Gallesia
ganoderma
ginger
Glehnia littoralis
glehnia root
Glycyrrhizin
goldenseal
gooseberry
Greek mountain tea
green chiretta
green tea
Guaco
honey loquat syrup
honeysuckle
Houttuynia
Hyperoside
Immunoglobulin G
Indian frankincense
iridoids
L-cysteine
labrador tea
Lactobacillus casei
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Ledebouriella
Lentinula edodes mycelia
lichen
licorice root
little ironweed
liverwort
Lomatium
Lycium
Lycopodium
Meadow sage
Microtea debilis
Monolaurin
Myrobalan
Myrrh
Neoandrographolides
Nettle
Onosma bracteatum
Osthole
Pelargonium
Pentatropis capensis
Platycodon
Polygonatum
Polygonum
Premna
quercetin
ravinsara
reishi mushroom
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
selenium
Shikimic Acid
spirulina
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sundew
Sweet Annie
Sweet Bay
sweet wormwood
Tremella
turmeric
Umckaloabo
Vasicine
Visnea Mocanera
vitamin C
vitamin D
Xanthophyll
Yerba santa
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
Zingerone
