Evidence supporting the use of: Siler root
For the health condition: Contagious Diseases

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Siler root (commonly known as Fang Feng in Traditional Chinese Medicine, botanical name: Saposhnikovia divaricata) has a long history of use in East Asian herbal medicine. It is traditionally employed to "expel wind," "release the exterior," and treat symptoms associated with contagious diseases (such as colds and flu), including fever, headache, and body aches. Fang Feng is often included in classical herbal formulas used to treat early-stage infectious illnesses, such as Yin Qiao San and Ma Huang Tang.

The justification for its use comes primarily from centuries of empirical application in traditional medicine systems. Writings in materia medica texts from the Han Dynasty onward describe its role in managing infectious and epidemic illnesses, especially those characterized by fever and chills. In these contexts, "wind" often metaphorically refers to pathogens or environmental factors thought to cause disease transmission.

Modern scientific evidence for siler root’s effectiveness against contagious diseases is limited. Some laboratory studies have identified anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and mild antimicrobial properties in siler root extracts, but robust clinical trials in humans are lacking. Thus, its use for contagious diseases is rated as 2: supported by historical/traditional use, with limited preliminary scientific exploration but insufficient clinical validation.

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