Evidence supporting the use of: Asarum heterotropoides
For the health condition: Sinus Infection

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Synopsis

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

Asarum heterotropoides, commonly known as wild ginger or "Xi Xin" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has a long history of use for respiratory conditions, including sinus infection (sinusitis). In TCM, Xi Xin is often included in herbal formulas intended to "dispel wind," alleviate headache, and relieve nasal congestion, all symptoms associated with sinus infections. Classic TCM texts such as the Shennong Bencao Jing and later formularies describe its use for "nasal obstruction," "rhinorrhea," and related upper respiratory symptoms. It is commonly found in formulas like Cang Er Zi San, which is widely used for sinusitis and rhinitis in East Asian medicine.

With regard to scientific evidence, there is limited but growing interest in Asarum heterotropoides for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Some in vitro and animal studies have suggested that extracts of Asarum species can reduce inflammation and have mild antimicrobial effects, which could theoretically be beneficial in sinus infections. However, robust clinical trials in humans are lacking, and concerns remain over the safety of certain constituents (notably aristolochic acids, which are nephrotoxic and carcinogenic, though their presence in A. heterotropoides is debated). Therefore, while traditional use is well established, scientific validation is limited and evidence quality is low.

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