Evidence supporting the use of: Atractylodes
For the health condition: Congestion (lungs)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Atractylodes, particularly Atractylodes macrocephala, is a well-known herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and has a long history of use for conditions related to the lungs such as congestion, cough, and excessive phlegm. In TCM theory, Atractylodes is considered to "strengthen the Spleen" and "dry dampness," which indirectly supports lung function by preventing the accumulation of phlegm and fluids that can lead to congestion. The herb is commonly incorporated into classical formulas like Er Chen Tang and Ping Wei San, which are used to address dampness and phlegm in the respiratory system. However, the evidence for its effectiveness is largely based on traditional uses and empirical reports rather than robust modern scientific studies. While some pharmacological research suggests that Atractylodes contains compounds with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, direct clinical evidence supporting its use specifically for lung congestion is limited. Most modern studies focus on its gastrointestinal effects or its role in modulating immune responses rather than directly treating respiratory congestion. In summary, the use of Atractylodes for lung congestion is primarily justified by its traditional role in TCM, with some preliminary scientific support for related actions but insufficient high-quality clinical evidence to strongly endorse its effectiveness for this specific condition.
Other ingredients used for Congestion (lungs)
Abies spectabilisAconite
Adenophora
Agastache
Alantolactone
Allicin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpinia galangal
ambergris
Amor seco
andrographolide
Angelica
anise
Ardisia
Arisaema
asafoetida
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
aster root
atractylodes
atractylone
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
Baikal Skullcap
balloon flower
balsam
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
basil
bayleaf
bee hive
bee products
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
berry
beta-pinene
Bidens pilosa
bisabolene
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
black salt
black seed
blackboard tree
Blepharis
Bombax
boneset
borage
borneol
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
Buddha\'s hand
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
cajuput
calamus
Camellia sinensis
capsaicinoids
capsicum
cardamom
Carthamus
cayenne pepper
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese raisintree
Chinese salvia root
Chinese silkvine
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
Cistus
Citrus
Clerodendrum trichotomum
clove
coltsfoot
Coptis chinensis
cowherb
culvers Root
curcumen
curry leaf
diterpenes
dragonhead
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Eclipta
Elder
elderberry
elecampane
Ephedra
ephedrine
essential oil blend
eucalyptus
European Elder
European five-finger grass
Evodia
fang-feng
fat liver oil
ferula assafoetida
flavoglycosides
forsythia
frankincense
fritillaria
Galangal
Gallesia
gamma-terpinene
Gardenia jasminoides
garlic bulb
ginger
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Gnaphalium
grape
green tea
Guaco
Heartsease
Hedyotis
Helicteres isora
honey
horehound
Horsemint
horseradish
Houttuynia
hyssop
Indian frankincense
Indian tinospora
inula racemosa
Isatis
Ivy
jungli-bean
juniper berries
Khella
labrador tea
Laggera pterodonta
Ledebouriella
lemongrass
lichen
licorice root
Ligusticum
Ligustrazin
limonene
Litsea
Lomatium
long pepper
lovage
lungwort
malabar nut
mallow
Meadow sage
Menthol oil
Methylxanthine
Monoterpenes
Mountain Pepper
Mucolase
Mugwort
Mullein
Mustard
mustard seed
Neoandrographolides
Nutmeg
onion
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
oregano
oriental arborvitae
Oroxylum indicum
Orris
Osha
Paris polyphylla
Pepper
perilla
Peucedanum
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
phenolic compounds
Pinellia ternata
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
Platycodon
platycodon root
Pluchea
Polygonum
pomegranate
prepared aconite tuber
Pyrrosia
quercetin
ravinsara
rosemary
Rubiaceae
Sagebrush
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
scrophularia root
Servicetree
Sesquiterpenes
shiitake mushroom
Sichuan Lovage
Sichuan pepper
siler root
Smartweed
Solanum indicum
Sophora
spearmint leaf
Sphaeranthus indicus
spruce
squawvine
Stereospermum
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sundew
sweet flag
Szechuan lovage
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Terpinolene
thyme
Thymus
Trichosanthes
turmeric
Vasicine
Vasicinone
Vervain
Viola
Violet
Visnea Mocanera
vitamin C
Vladimiria souliei
Winter Savory
Wulinshen
Yellow root
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
zanthoxylum
Zedoary
Zingerone
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by atractylodes
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Backache
Belching
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chills
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Edema
Fatigue
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Indigestion
Inflammation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Menopause
Migraine
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
Sore Throat
Wounds and Sores
Products containing atractylodes
Nature's Sunshine Anti-Gas (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Anti-Gas TCM
Nature's Sunshine Blood Stimulator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Chinese TCM Negative Pack
Nature's Sunshine Hepatic System
Nature's Sunshine KB-C
Nature's Sunshine KB-C TCM Concentrate
Nature's Sunshine Kidney Activator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Kidney Activator (Chinese)
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 Respiratory System (Best by 2/28/2026)
Nature's Sunshine Spleen Activator (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Spleen Activator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Tiao He Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Trigger Immune (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Trigger Immune TCM
Nature's Sunshine Urinary System
