Synopsis

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

Stemona, particularly the roots of species such as Stemona japonica and Stemona tuberosa, has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of coughs, including spastic (or spasmodic) coughs. In TCM, Stemona is classified as a herb that "moistens the lungs and stops cough," and it is commonly included in herbal formulas for chronic and acute coughs associated with conditions like bronchitis and pertussis. The traditional texts dating back centuries document its use, and it is still listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia for this indication.

Modern pharmacological research provides some support for these uses, though most evidence comes from animal studies and in vitro experiments. Alkaloids isolated from Stemona roots, such as stemonine and tuberostemonine, have demonstrated antitussive (cough-suppressing) effects in animal models, possibly by acting on the central nervous system or modulating airway smooth muscle. These findings are consistent with its traditional use, but robust human clinical trials are lacking. As a result, while there is substantiated traditional use and preliminary pharmacological backing, the overall evidence is moderate (rated 3/5), and further well-designed clinical studies are needed to fully validate its efficacy and safety in humans for spastic cough treatment.

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