Evidence supporting the use of: Bupleurum falcatum
For the health condition: Congestion (sinus)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Bupleurum falcatum is a traditional herb used extensively in East Asian medicine, especially Chinese and Japanese Kampo medicine. Its use for congestion, particularly sinus congestion, is primarily rooted in traditional systems rather than modern scientific validation. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Bupleurum is included in formulas such as Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction), which is used for conditions described as "Shaoyang disorders," sometimes manifesting as alternating chills and fever, a sense of fullness in the chest, and congestion. However, these traditional uses do not directly equate to the modern biomedical concept of sinus congestion or rhinosinusitis. There is little direct clinical or pharmacological evidence validating Bupleurum falcatum's efficacy specifically for sinus congestion. Some laboratory studies suggest Bupleurum species have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, which could theoretically support upper respiratory health, but these findings are not specific to sinus congestion and are not well-validated in human studies. Thus, while its use for "congestion" is well-established in TCM, the evidence is primarily traditional, and the strength of evidence for treating modern-defined sinus congestion is weak (1/5).

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