Evidence supporting the use of: Corktree
For the health condition: Insomnia

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Corktree, most commonly referring to Phellodendron amurense (Amur cork tree), has a history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In TCM, the bark—known as “Huang Bai”—is primarily used for its supposed “heat-clearing” and detoxifying properties, particularly in the treatment of inflammatory conditions, diarrhea, and urinary tract infections. While not a primary herb for insomnia, some traditional formulations for calming the spirit (an shen) include corktree bark as part of multi-herb combinations. The rationale is more indirect, targeting symptoms like restlessness due to “yin deficiency” or “internal heat,” which are sometimes associated with insomnia in TCM theory. However, there is minimal direct traditional evidence supporting corktree as a major or standalone treatment for insomnia. Furthermore, scientific research examining the efficacy of corktree bark or its constituents (such as berberine) for sleep disorders is extremely limited. Existing studies tend to focus on antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, or metabolic effects, with little to no published research evaluating its effect on sleep quality or insomnia in humans or animal models. Therefore, while corktree may be found in some traditional formulas that address insomnia-adjacent symptoms, both the traditional and scientific evidence for its direct use as a treatment for insomnia is weak.

More about Corktree
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perilla
phytocannabinoids
pollen
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Products containing Corktree

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.