Evidence supporting the use of: Baphicacanthus cusia
For the health condition: Colds (with fever)

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Synopsis

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

Baphicacanthus cusia (commonly known as "Qing Dai" or "Indigo Naturalis") has a long-standing history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of colds, particularly those accompanied by fever. In TCM, Baphicacanthus cusia is considered to have "heat-clearing" and "detoxifying" properties, and is often prescribed for febrile diseases, sore throat, and various infectious conditions. The plant is typically used either alone or in combination with other herbs in decoctions, powders, or topical preparations.

Historically, Qing Dai was included in classical Chinese herbal formulas designed to address symptoms resembling those of modern viral upper respiratory tract infections—such as fever, sore throat, and inflammation. The rationale for its use stemmed from empirical observations and TCM theory rather than modern biomedical evidence. While some recent pharmacological studies suggest Baphicacanthus cusia extracts possess anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immunomodulatory effects, these findings are preliminary and largely based on in vitro or animal studies. Specifically, indigo and indirubin—active compounds in B. cusia—have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity, but direct clinical evidence for efficacy in treating colds with fever in humans remains limited.

In summary, the use of Baphicacanthus cusia for colds with fever is primarily justified by traditional use, with moderate support from early pharmacological research but without robust clinical trials to firmly validate its effectiveness for this indication.

More about Baphicacanthus cusia
More about Colds (with fever)

Other ingredients used for Colds (with fever)

Aloe vera
green chiretta
anthocyanins
basil
bilberry
black cumin
black currant
blueberry
capsaicinoids
chamomile
citrus oil
clove
coconut milk
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
green tea
lemon
licorice root
pear
plantain
pomegranate
quercetin
rhizome
rosemary
sage
Sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
vitamin D
Zinc
xanthium (cockleburs)
Mugwort
nut grass
alpinia galangal
pistacia integerrima gall
blackboard tree
boxthorne
buckthorn
Yerba santa
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
Trichosanthes
aster root
indigo leaves
avens
Agastache
Ardisia
Acacia
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Ajuga
andrographolide
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Asteraceae
Amor seco
Arani
atractylone
bermuda grass
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
bishop\'s weed
bayleaf
black galingale
bitter grass
bael
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bur-reed
bee products
black nightshade
Bassia scoparia
capillary artemisia
Chinese raisintree
cowherb
Cistus
common madia
cinnamaldehyde
Celosia
chrysophanics
dragonhead
Eclipta
fruit
flavoglycosides
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
Glechoma hederacea
honey
hemp
Horsemint
isoquinoline alkaloids
Isatis
long pepper
Indian fagonia
Laggera pterodonta
luffa
lodhtree
little ironweed
Ligusticum
linalool
Lewis's monkey flower
mallow
Melia
Monoterpenes
Mushroom
Oroxylum indicum
Onosma bracteatum
Oxystelma
Phenylpropanoids
Paris polyphylla
Peucedanum
Pansit-pansitan
Piper nigrum
Sesbania
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Sesquiterpenes
Sweet Annie
Salvia
Southern Tsangshu
Solanum indicum
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Shogaol
Scabrous Gentian
Tea
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Umckaloabo
Vervain
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Zingiberene
Zingerone

Products containing Baphicacanthus cusia

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.