Evidence supporting the use of: Anamarrhena
For the health condition: Lungs (fluid in)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3
Anemarrhena asphodeloides (often referred to as "Anemarrhena" or "Zhimu" in Chinese medicine) has a long history of traditional use in East Asian herbal medicine. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Anemarrhena is classified as a "heat-clearing and fire-purging" herb, often used to moisten dryness and clear heat from the lungs. It is commonly used in formulas to address symptoms such as dry cough, thick sputum, and sensations of heat in the chest, which may be interpreted as "fluid in the lungs" or other lung imbalances according to TCM theory.
The traditional rationale is that Anemarrhena moistens lung dryness and facilitates the movement and elimination of pathological fluids from the lungs. It is frequently combined with other herbs such as Gypsum Fibrosum (Shi Gao) and Ophiopogon (Mai Men Dong) to treat lung heat and associated fluid retention or inflammation.
Scientific research on Anemarrhena’s effects on lung conditions is limited. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which might theoretically benefit lung health; however, there is insufficient direct clinical evidence in humans to confirm its efficacy for treating fluid accumulation in the lungs (such as pulmonary edema). Therefore, its use for this purpose is justified primarily by tradition, not rigorous scientific validation.
Other ingredients used for Lungs (fluid in)
dandelionlicorice root
reishi mushroom
inula racemosa
Aralia
Anamarrhena
Adenophora
Atractylone
Ephedra