Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

Zhejiang fritillary (Fritillaria thunbergii), known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as "Zhe Bei Mu," has been used for centuries to treat respiratory conditions, including wheezing, cough, and phlegm. The herb is classified in TCM as having the properties of clearing heat and transforming phlegm. Ancient texts and materia medica, such as the "Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing," describe its use in addressing lung disorders characterized by excess phlegm and constrained Qi, which may manifest as wheezing or cough. The mechanism, according to TCM theory, is that Zhejiang fritillary moistens the lungs, resolve phlegm-heat, and thus relieves symptoms like wheezing.

Modern research provides some support for these traditional uses. Several pharmacological studies have identified that alkaloids found in Fritillaria species, such as peimine and peiminine, possess expectorant and antitussive (cough-suppressing) effects in animal models. There is also evidence that these compounds may exert mild anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory effects, which could theoretically benefit individuals experiencing wheezing due to airway constriction or inflammation. However, the clinical evidence in humans is limited, and most studies are preclinical. No large-scale randomized controlled trials have definitively proven its efficacy for wheezing specifically. In summary, the use of Zhejiang fritillary for wheezing is primarily justified by tradition, with some preliminary scientific evidence lending partial support to its historical application.

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