Evidence supporting the use of: Coptis chinensis
For the health condition: Kidney Infection

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Coptis chinensis (Huang Lian) is a well-known herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and has a long history of use for clearing "heat" and "dampness," which are conceptualized as causes of various infections, including those of the urinary tract. In TCM, kidney infections (often referred to as "Lin Zheng" or "urinary strangury") are believed to result from damp-heat accumulation, and Coptis chinensis is commonly included in herbal formulas to address these pathologies due to its strong bitter and cold properties. The primary active compound, berberine, exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity in vitro. However, while modern scientific studies have shown berberine’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, direct clinical evidence specifically supporting the use of Coptis chinensis for kidney infections (such as pyelonephritis) in humans is limited or anecdotal. Most available data derive from TCM case histories and empirical use, not well-controlled clinical trials. Thus, its use for kidney infection is justified primarily by traditional practices, supported by some low-to-moderate preclinical evidence suggesting a plausible biological mechanism but lacking robust human data.

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