Synopsis

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

Isatis, specifically Isatis tinctoria (woad) or Isatis indigotica, is a herb commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and other traditional systems for respiratory infections, including bronchitis. In Chinese medicine, Isatis root (Ban Lan Gen) and leaf (Da Qing Ye) are valued for their purported "heat-clearing" and "detoxifying" properties and are often included in herbal formulas aimed at treating symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, such as cough, sore throat, and bronchitis. The traditional use is based on centuries of empirical observation rather than rigorous scientific evaluation.

Modern research has identified some bioactive compounds in Isatis, such as indigo, indirubin, and tryptanthrin, which have shown antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties in vitro and in animal studies. However, there is a lack of high-quality clinical trials specifically assessing the efficacy of Isatis for bronchitis in humans. Most available studies are either preclinical or focused on broader respiratory tract infections rather than specifically bronchitis. As a result, the evidence supporting Isatis for bronchitis remains limited and rooted primarily in tradition, with some preliminary scientific rationale but insufficient clinical validation.

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