Evidence supporting the use of: Elkweed
For the body system: Spleen
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Elkweed (Nabalus albus, formerly Prenanthes alba) has a history of use in traditional herbal medicine among some Native American tribes and early settlers in North America. Its use was primarily as a general tonic or for digestive complaints, rather than specifically for the "Spleen" in the sense used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). However, in traditional Western herbalism, the term "spleen" was sometimes used more broadly to refer to vague digestive or metabolic disorders, not strictly the anatomical spleen. There is limited documentation of Elkweed being used to support the spleen: references such as King’s American Dispensatory (Felter & Lloyd, 1898) mention its use for "spleen disorders," but without detail or supporting evidence.
There is currently no scientific research validating Elkweed’s efficacy for spleen health or function. No modern pharmacological studies have examined its effects on the spleen, immune system, or related body systems. As such, the justification for its use in supporting the spleen body system is based on historical/traditional reports rather than scientific validation, and the evidence is weak and anecdotal.
References:
- Felter, H.W., & Lloyd, J.U. (1898). King's American Dispensatory.
- Moerman, D.E. (2009). Native American Ethnobotany.
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glehnia root
goldenseal
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grape
onion
green tea
Indian tinospora
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knotweed
jujube
kale
kelp
lemon
lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
luteolin
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mango
mangosteen
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orange
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pomegranate
pumpkin
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vitamin B
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mulberry
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tangerine
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atractylodes
mugwort
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pistacia integerrima gall
punarnava
tinospora cordifolia
fumaria parviflora
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bee pollen
peony
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
yarrow
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root tuber
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flowering quince
dioscorea
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lotus seed
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trace minerals
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millet seed
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Aralia
Alpha Glucans
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Ankaflavin
Angelica
Antrodia camphorata
Auricularia
Abrus
Amomum
Albizia
Andrographolide
Asam gelugor
Astragaloside
Armillaria mellea
Alsonia scholaris
Ampelopsis
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteracea
Alkylglycerols
Adenophora
Artemisia Anomala
Anemarrhena
Allium tuberosum
Alstonia macrophylla
Atractylone
Animal protein
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Baikal Skullcap
Baliospermum
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Broussonetia
bergenin
Breadnut
Brassica
Belleric myrobalan
Beef liver
Berberis (unspecified)
Bok Choy
Baicalein
Bovine Protein
Bael
Basidiomycota
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Bee products
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Bupleurum
Baicalin
Cumin
Cinnamomum
Carqueja
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cucurbita
Calycosin
Coriolus mushroom
Combretum quadrangulare
Codonopsis
Capillary Artemisia
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Cantaloupe
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Cruciferous
Curcumen
Capers
Chard
Chicken
Curcuma
Carob
Chirata
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Chinese Thoroughwax
Cephalotaxus sinensis
Ceanothus integerrimus
Chebulinic acid
Costus
Cynanchum
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Dendrobium
Dolichos
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eggplant
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Emblicanin
Elkweed
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Enokitake
Flavonoids
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Goldthread
Garlic
Lotus
Orchid
Sumac
walnut
Other body systems supported by Elkweed
Digestive SystemGastrointestinal Tract
Immune System
Liver
Lungs
Respiratory System
Spleen
Stomach