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

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Synopsis

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

Rhizomes, particularly those from plants like Zingiber officinale (ginger) and Curcuma longa (turmeric), have a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda for addressing colds with fever. In TCM, ginger rhizome (Sheng Jiang) is commonly included in herbal formulas to "release the exterior," which refers to expelling pathogens at the early stages of a cold, especially when accompanied by mild fever, chills, and congestion. The warming properties of ginger are believed to promote sweating and help the body combat fever. Similarly, turmeric rhizome has been used to reduce inflammation and support immune health, although its use for acute colds is less pronounced than ginger’s.

The evidence supporting these traditional uses comes primarily from centuries of empirical observation rather than rigorous scientific studies. Some small clinical trials and laboratory studies have suggested that ginger may possess mild antipyretic (fever-reducing) and anti-inflammatory effects, but results are inconsistent and generally not robust enough to reach a strong scientific consensus. While the bioactive compounds in these rhizomes, such as gingerols and curcuminoids, have shown immune-modulating and antimicrobial properties in vitro, clinical validation for the treatment of colds with fever is limited. Thus, while rhizomes are widely used in traditional practices for this purpose, scientific evidence remains preliminary.

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