Evidence supporting the use of: Gecko
For the health condition: Cough (damp)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Gecko (often referred to as "Ge Jie" in Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM) has a long history of use in Chinese herbal medicine, particularly for conditions involving the lungs such as chronic cough, asthma, and wheezing. In TCM theory, Gecko is believed to tonify lung and kidney function, helping to relieve coughs associated with deficiency and patterns described as "dampness." The traditional use is based on centuries of empirical observation and textual references in classical Chinese medical texts. It is commonly found in compounded formulas for chronic respiratory complaints, especially those characterized by weakness and phlegm accumulation, which aligns with the TCM concept of "damp cough."
However, there is limited modern scientific research specifically validating Gecko’s efficacy for treating cough, especially coughs associated with "dampness" as understood in TCM. Some pharmacological studies have suggested that Gecko extracts may have immunomodulatory or anti-inflammatory effects, but robust clinical trials in humans are lacking. The evidence supporting its use for cough is therefore grounded primarily in traditional usage rather than scientific validation. Overall, while Gecko is widely used in traditional practice, the scientific evidence supporting its use for cough (damp) remains weak.
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glehnia root
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licorice root
oregano
parsley
pear
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