Evidence supporting the use of: Goldthread (unspecified)
For the health condition: Congestion
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Goldthread (typically referring to Coptis chinensis or related species) has a history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), where it is known as "Huang Lian." While its main traditional uses are for "clearing heat" and treating digestive and infectious conditions, there are some references in traditional texts to its use in addressing symptoms associated with respiratory tract infections, which may overlap with what is described as "congestion" in Western terminology. The primary active constituent, berberine, has demonstrated antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory studies, but these findings are generally related to gastrointestinal or systemic infections, not specifically to nasal or chest congestion.
There is minimal direct scientific evidence supporting the use of goldthread for the treatment of congestion specifically. Most clinical research has focused on other indications, such as gastrointestinal disorders or metabolic syndrome. Thus, while the herb may be included in some multi-herb TCM formulas aimed at "clearing heat" from the lung and relieving symptoms that could include congestion, this use is rooted in traditional practice rather than validated by robust clinical data. The evidence supporting its use for congestion is therefore rated low.
Other ingredients used for Congestion
Allspicebasil
beta-pinene
betel
black currant
black pepper
chamomile
citrus oil
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
garlic bulb
ginger
green tea
horseradish
licorice root
pomegranate
quercetin
rosemary
spearmint leaf
thyme
vitamin C
Wasabi
Zinc
squawvine
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
Mugwort
malabar nut
ferula assafoetida
anise
blackboard tree
Szechuan lovage
buckthorn
lemongrass
Yerba santa
coltsfoot
sweet flag
Trichosanthes
birch
eucalyptus
Menthol oil
Sichuan pepper
cayenne pepper
Alcohol
Akebia
Agastache
alpha-terpineol
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
asafoetida
Arisaema
atractylone
balsam
bishop\'s weed
bayleaf
Barleria
bitter grass
berry
black salt
bee products
Bombax
Buddha\'s hand
borneol
Camellia sinensis
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Citrus
cineole
cajuput
Chinese raisintree
cowherb
Ephedra
European Elder
Echinacea
Elder
essential oil blend
ephedrine
gamma-terpinene
Gallesia
honey
heal-all
Horsemint
Isatis
long pepper
Ivy
joe-pye
Ligusticum
mallow
Monoterpenes
Meadow sage
Nardostachys
Osha
Orris
Platycodon
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
ravinsara
reed herb
Sesquiterpenes
Sambucus nigra
Servicetree
Sassafras
Thymus
Tayuya
Vervain
Vasicine
Vasicinone
Yerba buena
Other health conditions supported by Goldthread (unspecified)
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Anxiety
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Blood Poisoning
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Canker Sores
Chest Pain
Chills
Cholera
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colic (adults)
Colitis
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Cuts
Debility
Depression
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache