Synopsis

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

Complex herbal formulas, often referred to as "complexes," are commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat coughs associated with "dampness," a pattern characterized by phlegm, congestion, and a sensation of heaviness. The use of these complexes is primarily justified by traditional practice rather than modern scientific studies. In TCM, cough (damp) is believed to be caused by dysfunction in the spleen and lung, resulting in the accumulation of dampness and phlegm. Complexes typically contain a combination of herbs such as Pinellia ternata (Ban Xia), Poria cocos (Fu Ling), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Gan Cao), and others designed to resolve phlegm, drain dampness, and support lung function. Historical texts like the "Shang Han Lun" and "Jin Gui Yao Lue" describe numerous such formulas, including "Er Chen Tang," that have been used for centuries for this purpose. While some individual herbs have demonstrated expectorant or anti-inflammatory effects in limited experimental studies, robust clinical trials on the whole complexes are lacking. Thus, the evidence for their efficacy is rooted in a long history of traditional use, with limited but suggestive pharmacological support for individual components. Overall, their use for cough (damp) is rated as moderate in traditional evidence, with insufficient scientific validation by current Western medical standards.

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