Evidence supporting the use of: Luo San
For the body system: Stomach
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3
Luo San is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, also known as "Luosan" or "Luosan San," primarily composed of Radix Glycyrrhizae (licorice root), Radix Platycodi (balloon flower root), and Gypsum Fibrosum (a mineral source of calcium sulfate). Historically, Luo San has been used in TCM to support the Stomach body system by clearing heat, harmonizing the middle burner (digestive system), and relieving symptoms such as thirst, restlessness, and occasionally gastric discomfort associated with “Stomach heat.”
Evidence for the use of Luo San in supporting the stomach is primarily based on traditional Chinese medical literature, including classical texts and centuries of clinical practice. The formula is thought to "clear heat from the Stomach" and is often used in cases where there is an excess of heat manifesting as symptoms like mouth sores, dry mouth, or burning sensations in the stomach region.
There is limited modern scientific research specifically addressing Luo San’s efficacy for Stomach support, and most evidence remains anecdotal or based on TCM theory rather than rigorous clinical trials. Some component herbs, such as licorice root, have been studied independently and shown to have gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, but these findings cannot be directly attributed to the Luo San formula as a whole. Thus, the evidence for its use remains rooted in tradition rather than confirmed by high-quality scientific studies.
Other ingredients that support Stomach
cutchacid protease
allspice
aloe vera
alpha-galactosidase
amino acids
green chiretta
apple
apricot
artichoke
astragalus
bacillus subtilis
barley
basil
bayberry
myrobalan
berberine
black cumin
black garlic
black pepper
radish
black tea
bovine liver
broccoli
rice
brussel sprouts
cabbage leaf
cassia bark
catjang cowpea
celery
chamomile
chen pi
chloride
cinnamon
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coating
colostrum
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
curcumin
dandelion
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
endo-peptidase
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fennel
fenugreek
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fruit blend (proprietary)
fu ling
fungal protease
garlic bulb
gentian root
ginger
ginseng
glehnia root
glucomannan
goldenseal
gooseberry
grape
grapefruit
green banana
onion
green tea
HCL
hops
horseradish
quassia
jujube
kale
kelp
lactase
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus salivarius
lactoferrin
lemon
licorice root
lipase
magnesium
mango
mangosteen
marshmallow
mastic gum
methylmethionine sulfonium chloride (vitamin U)
microbial enzymes (proprietary)
mint
moringa
mustard seed
okra
olive
ophiopogon root
orange
papain
parsley
pear
pepsin
perilla
phenolic acids
pineapple
plantain
pomegranate
pomelo
protease
psyllium
pumpkin
raspberry
rhizome
rhubarb root
rosemary
saccharomyces boulardii
slippery elm bark
soybean
spearmint leaf
spinach
starch
sweet wormwood
triphala
almond fruit
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin B12
seaweed
water
watercress
mulberry
xanthan gum
zinc
jiaogulan
chickweed
catnip
oryza
tangerine
cardamom
atractylodes
papaya
shen-chu
capsicum
mugwort
Indian bael
nut grass
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
hedychium spicatum
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
punarnava
paederia foetida
swertia
blessed thistle
lingzhi
yarrow
prickly ash
morus
lemongrass
myrrh
elecampane
sodium salt
root tuber
ganoderma
sweet flag
morinda
zanthoxylum
sodium alginate
sheep's sorrel
polyphenols
caraway
trace minerals
purslane
menthol oil
coix
gentiana macrophylla
wheat germ
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
noni
nopal
white oak
Sichuan pepper
alginic acid
algae
enzymes blend (proprietary)
cayenne pepper
ashitaba
soursop
bladderwrack
sea salt
Arugula
Apple Cider Vinegar
Actinidin
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Angelica
Allicin
Antrodia camphorata
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Alchemilla
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Anserina
Asam gelugor
Angostura
Aspergillopepsin
Andrographis
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteracea
allyl isothiocyanate
Adenophora
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Alstonia macrophylla
Animal protein
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Bryonia
Bai Ji
Bidens pilosa
Bicarbonate
Brown Algae
Brassica
Bayleaf
Bran
Beef
Baccharis dracunculifolia
Berberis (unspecified)
Bok Choy
Baicalein
Bovine Protein
Bael
boldo
berry
Bee products
Bethyl nut
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Buddha's Hand
Bitter principals
Bacteria
Bupleurum
Baicalin
Buckwheat
Bottle gourd
Chia seed
Cumin
Centaury
Coconut
Cinnamomum
Carqueja
Chervil
Cucurbita
Condurango
Capsinoids
Codonopsis
Chive
Cactus
Carvacrol
Cape Aloe
Centaurium erythraea
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Cantaloupe
Cruciferous
Carvone
Curcumen
Coca
Capers
Chenopodium
Colombo
Chicken
Curcuma
Cabbage
Cowslip
Chirata
Calamus
Chebulinic acid
Cinnamaldehyde
Cassava
Costus
Colocynth
Casearia sylvestris
Culvers Root
Chondrus
Duodenal Substance
Dill
Dragon's Blood
Dulse
Diterpenes
Dichrostachys glomerata
Evodia
Egg
Emblicanin
Enzyme Blend
Elkweed
European-Five Finger Grass
Ellagitannin
Emodin
Fiber
Flavonoids
Flavonones
Goldthread
Garlic
Galangal
Himalayan Salt
Mimosa
Orchid
Potato
Quince
Rose
Rhubarb
salt
Squash
Vinegar
Wheat
Wormseed
Other body systems supported by Luo San
BloodDigestive System
Gastrointestinal Tract
Intestinal System
Liver
Lungs
Reproductive System
Spleen
Stomach