Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Centipeda (commonly referring to Centipeda minima, also called "Old Man Weed") has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in Chinese and Australian Aboriginal practices. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Centipeda minima (Eerdun Wutou or Xian He Cao) is used to "dispel wind," "resolve phlegm," and "open nasal orifices," and is often included in herbal formulas to treat respiratory allergies, rhinitis, and sinusitis. Historical texts and ethnobotanical surveys describe its application for symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, and allergic rhinitis. The plant is usually prepared as a decoction or nasal preparation.

While there are some preclinical studies suggesting anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activity of Centipeda extracts or constituents (such as sesquiterpene lactones), there is a lack of robust, high-quality clinical trials validating its effectiveness for respiratory allergies in humans. Most of the evidence for its use comes from traditional practice and anecdotal reports rather than modern scientific validation. Therefore, its use is primarily justified by tradition, with a moderate level of historical evidence supporting its role in managing respiratory allergic conditions, but limited contemporary scientific corroboration.

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