Evidence supporting the use of: Terpenoids
For the body system: Spleen
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Terpenoids, also known as isoprenoids, are a diverse class of naturally occurring organic chemicals derived from five-carbon isoprene units. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), terpenoid-rich herbs such as ginseng (containing ginsenosides, a type of terpenoid), astragalus, and others are used to support the "Spleen" system, which in TCM terminology refers broadly to digestive and metabolic functions rather than the anatomical spleen. The use of terpenoid-rich herbs to "strengthen the Spleen" is rooted in centuries of empirical practice and herbal formulation within TCM.
However, while there is some modern research on terpenoids' effects, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-modulatory activities, there is limited direct scientific evidence linking terpenoids specifically to improved spleen function or to supporting the TCM-defined "Spleen" system in humans. Most available studies are cellular or animal-based, and focus on general health effects rather than spleen-specific outcomes. Thus, the justification for using terpenoids to support the Spleen body system is primarily traditional, with modest supporting evidence and lacking robust clinical validation.
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