Evidence supporting the use of: Glehnia littoralis
For the health condition: Sore Throat
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Glehnia littoralis (commonly known as beach silvertop or "Bei Sha Shen" in traditional Chinese medicine) has a well-documented use in traditional East Asian medicine, particularly for soothing sore throat and dry cough. The roots are considered to have moistening and cooling properties, and are included in classical herbal formulas for conditions involving dryness of the lung and throat. Historical materia medica texts, such as the Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu), describe its use for "nourishing Yin" and "relieving throat discomfort."
However, while traditional use is strong, there is limited modern scientific research specifically validating its efficacy for sore throat. Some phytochemical studies have identified coumarins and polysaccharides in the root, compounds with mild anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory activities in vitro, but clinical studies in humans for sore throat are lacking. Therefore, the evidence for Glehnia littoralis in this context is based mainly on tradition, with a modest level of indirect scientific support (preclinical only), and no robust clinical trials. Its continued use in herbal practice for sore throat reflects historical precedent rather than strong modern evidence.
Other ingredients used for Sore Throat
AcaciaAdenophora
Agastache
Agrimony
Alchemilla
Alchornea
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
Alstonia scholaris
Amomum
Andrographis
anise
Arisaema
asafoetida
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
atractylodes
balloon flower
Baphicacanthus cusia
bee propolis
Belamcanda
betel
black pepper
boneset
Bougainvillea
Bryonia
Buddha\'s hand
calamus
camphor oil
cardamom
Carlina
carvone
chaff flower
chamomile
Cistus
coltsfoot
cubeb
culvers Root
dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/tetraenoic acid isobutylamide
dog rose
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
elecampane
English horsemint
fernbush
ficin
fleabane
flowering quince
fritillaria
fritillary
genipap
Glehnia littoralis
glehnia root
goldthread
Guaco
Heartsease
Hedychium spicatum
Homalomena
honey loquat syrup
honeydew
honeysuckle
horehound
Houttuynia
hyssop
Indian nightshade
inula racemosa
Japanese sophora
Javanese Long Pepper
Kachnar
Labdanum
licorice root
Lilium polyphyllum
liverwort
Lomatium
Lysimachia
manzanita
Marjoram
Marsh Tea
Marshmallow
Matico
Meadow sage
Meadowsweet
Mentha haplocalyx
Milkweed
Mint
Mountain mahogany
Mullein
Orsa salt
Pepper Bark Tree
Phragmites
Pimpinella
pistacia integerrima gall
platycodon root
Premna
Rhus coriaria
sage
Sambucus nigra
Sandy Everlasting
Sassafras
Savory
Sichuan pepper
slippery elm bark
Speedwell
Spikenard
Spilanthes
spruce
Stone Root
Streptococcus salivarius
sweetgums
Tannins
Tonka Bean
Trailing Arbutus
Umckaloabo
vitamin C
Wood betony
Yarrow
Yellow root
Yerba santa
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by Glehnia littoralis
AsthmaBronchitis
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Fever
Influenza
Pneumonia
Sore Throat
Wheezing
Wounds and Sores
