Evidence supporting the use of: Luffa
For the body system: Bronchials
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Luffa, particularly Luffa operculata, has been used in traditional medicine systems, especially in homeopathy and herbal remedies, for respiratory health, including support of the bronchial system. In folk medicine, extracts of Luffa have been employed as remedies for sinusitis, bronchitis, and other respiratory complaints. This use is primarily recorded in the herbal traditions of South America and is reflected in a few homeopathic preparations aimed at alleviating upper respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and inflammation.
However, rigorous scientific validation for these uses is limited. A handful of in vitro and animal studies suggest that Luffa extracts may exhibit mild anti-inflammatory or mucolytic effects, but the clinical evidence in humans is sparse and generally of low quality. Reviews of the literature indicate that while some herbal preparations containing Luffa are marketed for sinus or bronchial support, well-designed randomized controlled trials demonstrating clear benefit are lacking. Most references to Luffa's use in this context rely on historical precedent or anecdotal evidence rather than robust scientific data.
In summary, Luffa's use for supporting the bronchial system is justified by tradition, not by strong scientific evidence. The evidence rating is a 2, reflecting weak support predominantly from traditional use with minimal substantiation in the biomedical literature.
Other ingredients that support Bronchials
Abies spectabilisAdenophora
Adrenergic amines
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
Alstonia scholaris
Arisaema
asafoetida
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
aster root
astragalus
balloon flower
balsam
Belamcanda
benzoin
beta-pinene
black seed
Black spruce
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
Bougainvillea
butterbur
cajuput
calamus
camphor oil
capsicum
caraway
catecholamine
catnip
Cedrus libani
Centipeda
chamomile
Chekiang Fritillary
cineole
Coleus forskohlii
coltsfoot
cowslip
deerbrush
Desmodium
elecampane
elemi
Ephedra
ephedrine
eriodictyol
eucalyptus
European Elder
fir
forskohlii root
fritillaria
fritillary
fungus
Garrya
ginger
ginseng
Glehnia littoralis
glehnia root
Glycyrrhizin
Grindelia
Guaco
Gumweed
Hederacoside
Hedychium spicatum
herbal blend (proprietary)
Higenamine
honey loquat syrup
horehound
hyssop
inula racemosa
Ivy
Khella
Lactucarium
Lebbek
Ligusticum
lingzhi
lobelia
Lomatium
luffa
lungwort
Maidenhair Fern
malabar nut
Malva sylvestris
Marshmallow
Menthol oil
Methylxanthine
Monardella odoratissima
Mondo grass
Mormon Tea
Mountain pride
Mullein
Myrrh
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Nasturtium
Nigella seed
Night jessamine
Osha
Pelargonium
perilla
Petasines
Peucedanum
Pinellia ternata
pistacia integerrima gall
Platycodon
platycodon root
Plectranthus amboinicus
prickly ash
Pulsatilla
purple butterbur root
Quebracho
ravinsara
rubber rabbitbrush
Sabadilla
Serrapeptase
serratiopeptidase
Sida cordifolia
slippery elm bark
Spanish Needle
Stemona
Storax
Sundew
tartarian aster
Terpenoids
Theophylline
thyme
turmeric
Tylophora
Tylophorine
Umckalin
Umckaloabo
Vasicine
Vasicinol
Vasicinone
Xanthine
Yerba santa
zhejiang fritillary
Other body systems supported by luffa
BronchialsDigestive System
Eustachian Tubes
Immune System
Intestinal System
Lungs
Mucus Membranes
Respiratory System
Sinuses
Skin
Stomach
