Chinese Chive (Allium tuberosum, also known as Jiucai in Mandarin) has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM, Chinese Chive seeds and leaves are sometimes used as ingredients in herbal formulas intended to support lung health and treat respiratory conditions, including coughs and, less commonly, conditions like pneumonia. The rationale is based on its purported ability to "warm the kidneys" and "invigorate yang," which are indirectly linked to respiratory health in TCM theory. However, the specific use for pneumonia is not a major or central traditional indication. References to its use for pneumonia are limited and secondary to its more common uses for digestive or reproductive health.

Scientifically, there is little to no clinical evidence supporting the use of Chinese Chive for treating pneumonia. Only limited in vitro studies suggest that some Allium species (including Chinese Chive) have mild antimicrobial properties, but these findings are preliminary and do not translate to proven clinical efficacy against pneumonia-causing pathogens. There are no high-quality clinical trials or systematic reviews that validate its effectiveness for pneumonia in humans. Thus, while there is a traditional basis for its use in lung-related conditions, the evidence is weak and not supported by modern science.