Synopsis

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

Arisaema species (commonly known as "Jack-in-the-pulpit" or "tian nan xing" in Chinese medicine) have a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), primarily for resolving phlegm, alleviating coughs, and addressing wind-phlegm syndromes. While their main application is not specifically for “deficient appetite,” some traditional texts mention their inclusion in multi-herb formulas intended to address digestive complaints, including poor appetite, nausea, or indigestion, often in the context of transforming phlegm or dampness that is believed to obstruct proper digestion and appetite in TCM theory. The tuber is considered acrid, warm, and toxic when raw, but is processed to reduce toxicity before medicinal use. Scientific literature does not provide direct validation for Arisaema’s efficacy in appetite stimulation, and no controlled clinical trials substantiate such a use. However, its traditional application in complex formulas for digestive and phlegm-related complaints is relatively well documented in historical materia medica, though always as part of a broader therapeutic strategy rather than as a primary appetite stimulant. Therefore, while there is a traditional basis for its occasional use in the context of deficient appetite (especially when attributed to phlegm or dampness), robust evidence or modern studies are lacking.

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