Evidence supporting the use of: Coptis chinensis
For the health condition: Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)

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Synopsis

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

Coptis chinensis (also known as Chinese goldthread or Huang Lian) is an herb commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Its primary traditional use is for clearing heat, drying dampness, and resolving toxicity, often for digestive disorders, infections, and some inflammatory conditions. In TCM, swollen lymph nodes or glands are sometimes interpreted as manifestations of "heat toxicity" or "damp-heat" in the body. As a result, Coptis chinensis, due to its strong bitter and cooling properties, may be included in herbal formulas intended to address these patterns, sometimes in the context of infections that cause glandular swelling (such as tonsillitis or mumps). However, there is no direct traditional reference to Coptis chinensis being specifically or solely used for treating swollen lymph nodes or glands; its use is generally broader, focusing on infectious or inflammatory conditions.

From a scientific perspective, Coptis chinensis and its main component, berberine, have demonstrated antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities in laboratory studies. However, there are no high-quality clinical trials or scientific studies specifically investigating its effect on swollen lymph nodes or glandular conditions in humans. Thus, the evidence for its use in this context is based on traditional practice and theoretical indications within TCM, rather than robust scientific validation.

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