Evidence supporting the use of: Chinese Chive
For the health condition: Urinary Tract Infections

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Synopsis

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

Chinese Chive (Allium tuberosum), known as "Jiu Cai" (韭菜) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has a long history of use for various ailments, including kidney and urinary tract health. In TCM, Chinese Chive seeds are sometimes used to "tonify kidney yang," and there are traditional formulas that include chive seeds for symptoms such as frequent urination, urinary incontinence, or nocturnal emissions, which are interpreted in TCM as issues related to kidney qi deficiency rather than bacterial urinary tract infections (UTIs) as understood in Western medicine. However, there is little direct evidence in historical texts or classic materia medica that Chinese Chive (leaves or seeds) is used specifically for treating acute bacterial UTIs. The rationale in TCM is more about restoring balance and function rather than directly treating infection.

Scientific studies on Chinese Chive’s efficacy for UTIs are extremely limited. There are some laboratory studies indicating that Allium species (such as garlic and onion) have antimicrobial properties, but little data exists for Allium tuberosum specifically, especially regarding the urinary tract. Thus, while the use of Chinese Chive for urinary symptoms has a basis in TCM tradition, there is very weak scientific evidence to support its use for modern UTIs, and it is not considered a primary or evidence-based treatment in Western medicine.

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