Evidence supporting the use of: Coptis chinensis
For the health condition: Glands (swollen lymph)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Coptis chinensis, also known as Huang Lian, is primarily used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) rather than being supported by strong scientific evidence for the treatment of swollen lymph glands. In TCM, Coptis chinensis is valued for its strong "heat-clearing" and "detoxifying" properties. Practitioners often use it as part of herbal formulas to address symptoms believed to be caused by "heat" or "toxin" accumulation in the body, which may include swelling, redness, and infection—sometimes interpreted as swollen lymph nodes. The main active compound, berberine, has demonstrated antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory settings. However, there is little direct clinical research or modern pharmacological study specifically linking Coptis chinensis to the reduction of lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph glands) in humans. Its historical use is more about addressing underlying infections or inflammatory conditions that may cause lymph node swelling rather than directly targeting the glands themselves. In summary, while Coptis chinensis is traditionally included in remedies for conditions associated with infection and inflammation (which can secondarily involve lymph nodes), robust clinical evidence supporting its direct use for swollen lymph glands is lacking. Therefore, its use for this purpose is best characterized as traditional, with minimal evidence on a scientific basis.

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