Evidence supporting the use of: Atractylodes
For the health condition: Cough (dry)

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Synopsis

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

Atractylodes (primarily Atractylodes macrocephala and Atractylodes lancea) is a well-known herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it is classically used to strengthen the spleen, tonify qi (vital energy), and help resolve dampness. While it is not a primary herb for treating dry cough, it may be included in some traditional formulas for cough when the cause is attributed to underlying spleen qi deficiency or when the cough is associated with digestive weakness and phlegm-damp accumulation. The theoretical basis for its use in cough relates to the belief that strengthening the spleen and improving fluid metabolism can help prevent the formation of phlegm, which may otherwise lead to chronic cough. However, atractylodes is not traditionally indicated for dry cough specifically (which is more often addressed with herbs that nourish yin or moisten the lungs), but rather for coughs complicated by dampness or phlegm. There is limited clinical research directly supporting the use of atractylodes for dry cough specifically. Most evidence is anecdotal or based on its inclusion in multi-herb TCM formulas. No robust, high-quality clinical trials have established its efficacy for dry cough. As such, its use for this indication is justified more by tradition than by scientific validation, and the strength of evidence is modest at best.

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