Evidence supporting the use of: Trichosanthes
For the health condition: Congestion

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

Trichosanthes, particularly the root (Trichosanthes kirilowii, known as Tian Hua Fen in traditional Chinese medicine), has a long history of use in East Asian herbal medicine for treating respiratory conditions, including congestion. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Trichosanthes root and fruit are considered to have cooling and moistening properties, and are used to clear heat, transform phlegm, and relieve cough or chest congestion. Classic TCM texts describe its use in formulas designed to "disperse phlegm" and "open the chest," which corresponds to what Western medicine refers to as relieving congestion. Some animal studies and in vitro research have identified expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects of Trichosanthes extracts, lending partial pharmacological support to traditional uses, though these studies are limited and not always clinically relevant. There is a lack of high-quality, large-scale human clinical trials directly confirming its efficacy for respiratory congestion. However, its centuries-long use in TCM and inclusion in recognized pharmacopeias as a treatment for phlegm and congestion-related conditions justifies its traditional use for this purpose, earning it a moderate evidence score based on tradition and some preliminary scientific findings.

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