Evidence supporting the use of: Bupleurum falcatum
For the health condition: Congestion (bronchial)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Bupleurum falcatum is primarily used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and other East Asian herbal traditions. Its use for bronchial congestion and other respiratory ailments is largely based on historical and traditional practices rather than robust modern scientific validation. In TCM, Bupleurum is commonly included in formulas (e.g., Xiao Chai Hu Tang) aimed at "releasing the exterior" and harmonizing the body's response to infections, which can include symptoms like cough, fever, and congestion. The herb is thought to have properties that "soothe the liver" and disperse stagnation, which, according to traditional concepts, may help alleviate symptoms of respiratory discomfort. Some historical texts and case reports describe its use for various types of congestion, including in the chest and bronchi.
However, while there is limited pharmacological research suggesting that Bupleurum may have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, direct scientific evidence supporting its efficacy specifically for bronchial congestion is lacking. Most modern studies have focused on its hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) effects or its use in combination formulas rather than as a stand-alone treatment for respiratory issues. Therefore, its use for bronchial congestion is primarily traditional rather than scientific, and the strength of evidence supporting this specific indication is rated at 2 out of 5.
More about bupleurum falcatum
More about Congestion (bronchial)
Other ingredients used for Congestion (bronchial)
AllspiceAloe vera
alpha-pinene
waterhyssop
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
caffeine
capsaicinoids
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
clove
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ethanol
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
onion
green tea
horseradish
Indian tinospora
licorice root
lovage
mustard seed
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
spruce
ophiopogon root
oregano
perilla
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
pomegranate
quercetin
rosemary
scrophularia root
shiitake mushroom
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
yellow root
squawvine
boneset
mullein
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
mugwort
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
inula racemosa
anise
blackboard tree
Szechuan lovage
buckthorn
fritillaria
lemongrass
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
chrysanthemum
juniper berries
siler root
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
eucalyptus
menthol oil
aster root
Abies spectabilis
horehound
Sichuan pepper
cayenne pepper
soursop
Alcohol
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Angelica
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Adrenergic amines
Asteracea
Allyl Sulfide
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Black spruce
Bicarbonate
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Black galingale
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bisabolene
Bael
berry
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Bombax
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Bupleurum
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Chinese Mountain Ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Citrus
Cineole
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Curcumen
Cistus
Curcuma
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Carthamus
Culvers Root
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Ephedra
European Elder
Eclipta
Echinacea
Elder
Essential Oil Blend
Ephedrine
Fang-Feng
Fat liver oil
Fernbush
Frankincense
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
Guaco
Gallesia
Giant Blazingstar
Gardenia jasminoides
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Galangal
Heartsease
Honey
Heal-All
Hedyotis
Houttuynia
Helicteres isora
Horsemint
iridoids
Isatis
Long Pepper
Ivy
Jungli-bean
Khella
Ledebouriella
Litsea
Lomatium
Lichen
Laggera pterodonta
Limonene
Labrador Tea
Ligusticum
Linalool
Lewis's monkey flower
Mountain Pepper
Mustard
Marsh Tea
Mallow
Monoterpenes
Methylxanthine
Meadow sage
Mucolase
Neoandrographolides
Nigella Seed
Nutmeg
Ophiopogon
Oroxylum indicum
Osha
Orris
Phellodendron
Pinellia Ternata
Pluchea
Prepared Aconite Tuber
Platycodon
Pepper
Paris polyphylla
Peucedanum
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
Piper nigrum
Polygonum
Rubiaceae
Ravinsara
Reed Herb
Sichuan Lovage
Sophora
Scoparia dulcis
Smartweed
Sesquiterpenes
Sweet Annie
Solanum indicum
Sambucus nigra
Sagebrush
Sinigrin
Sandalwood
Stereospermum
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sweet Bay
Sundew
Servicetree
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Terpinolene
Vervain
Visnea Mocanera
Vasicine
Violet
Viola
Vladimiria souliei
Vasicinone
Wulinshen
Winter Savory
Yerba buena
Zingiberene
Zedoary
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by bupleurum falcatum
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Allergies (respiratory)
Anxiety
Autoimmune Disorders
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chills
Circulation (poor)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Colds (general)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Convalescence
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Edema
Fatigue
Fever
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gastritis
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Inflammation
Influenza
Liver Detoxification
Menopause
Migraine
Nephritis
Nervousness
Pain (general remedies for)
PMS (general)
Psoriasis
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Stress
Ulcers
Products containing bupleurum falcatum
Nature's Sunshine Blood Stimulator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Breathe Activator TCM (formerly Breathe E-Z)
Nature's Sunshine Chinese TCM Positive Pack
Nature's Sunshine Chinese TCM Negative Pack
Nature's Sunshine Hepatic System
Nature's Sunshine IF-C
Nature's Sunshine IF-C TCM
Nature's Sunshine Immune System
Nature's Sunshine Liver Balance (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Liver Balance TCM
Nature's Sunshine Lung Support (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Lung Support TCM
Nature's Sunshine Mood Elevator (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Mood Elevator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Respiratory System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Tiao He Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine VS-C
Nature's Sunshine VS-C
Nature's Sunshine VS-C® TCM