Evidence supporting the use of: Buddha's Hand
For the body system: Respiratory System
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Buddha’s Hand (Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis) is a traditional medicinal fruit used primarily in East Asian herbal medicine. Historically, it has been employed in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to support the respiratory system, particularly for relieving coughs, reducing phlegm, and easing symptoms of bronchitis. The fruit’s peel, known as “Fo Shou” in Chinese, is aromatic and is thought to possess expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties.
The use of Buddha’s Hand for respiratory health is documented in classical Chinese pharmacopoeias, where it is often included in formulas targeting chest congestion and cough. However, the evidence supporting these uses is almost entirely based on tradition and anecdotal application.
Modern scientific studies on Buddha’s Hand are limited, particularly regarding its effects on the respiratory system. Some laboratory research suggests that the fruit contains flavonoids and limonoids, which may have mild anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, but there are no robust clinical trials confirming its efficacy in treating respiratory conditions.
In summary, the support for Buddha’s Hand in respiratory health is primarily traditional, with limited scientific investigation and no high-quality clinical evidence. Its role in respiratory support remains a traditional practice rather than one validated by modern science.
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barley
basil
bayberry
myrobalan
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
betel
bisabolol
black cumin
black pepper
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black tea
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broccoli
bromelain
bupleurum falcatum
caffeine
cassia bark
caterpillar mushroom
chamomile
chen pi
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus oil
clove
coleus forskohlii
colostrum
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cordyceps
turmeric
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
dog rose
dyer’s woad root
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
fennel
fenugreek
flavonols
forskohlii root
forsythia
fruit blend (proprietary)
garlic bulb
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
glehnia root
goldenseal
goldenseal
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
horseradish
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honeysuckle
jujube
kudzu
l-cysteine
l-glutathione
lactoferrin
lavender
lemon
lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
luteolin
marine lipid
marshmallow
mint
monkfruit
moringa
mucin
mustard seed
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
nettle
spruce
omega-3 fatty acids
ophiopogon root
orange
oregano
parsley
peppermint oil
perilla
phenolic acids
phospholipids
pineapple
plantain
platycodon root
polygala root
quercetin
reishi mushroom
rose hips
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
shiitake mushroom
skullcap
slippery elm bark
spearmint leaf
sulforaphane glucosinolate
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turkey tail mushroom
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vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
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mulberry
xylitol
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zinc
red clover
jiaogulan
boneset
mullein
chickweed
typhonium
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hyssop
cardamom
lobelia
mugwort
neem tree
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
clerodendrum indicum
ferula assafoetida
hedychium spicatum
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pistacia integerrima gall
tylophora
punarnava
commiphora
caesalpinia crista
bee pollen
chaff flower
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
goldenrod
yarrow
pau d'arco
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fritillaria
morus
lemongrass
sunflower
myrrh
yerba santa
elecampane
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silk tree
chrysanthemum
siler root
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tartarian aster
trichosanthes
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birch
sheep's sorrel
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purslane
eucalyptus
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stillingia
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abies spectabilis
horehound
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algae
cayenne pepper
soursop
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Anamarrhena
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Ardisia
Angelica
Agrimony
Allicin
Antrodia camphorata
Achyranthes
Anamu
Abrus
Alchornea
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
Asafoetida
Aucubin
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Adrenergic amines
Aerva lanata
Agarwood
American Liverleaf
Anemone
Aquilegia formosa
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Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
Asteracea
Adenophora
Artemisia Anomala
Anemarrhena
Asarabacca
Allium tuberosum
Alstonia macrophylla
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Apocynin
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Betony
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Baikal Skullcap
Bryonia
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
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Blepharis
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Bistort
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Brazillian peppertree
Baicalein
Bael
Bloodroot
Benzoin
Basidiomycota
Begonia fimbristipula
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Boswellia
Bethroot
Black Poplar
Bletilla
Butterbur
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Buddha's Hand
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Bupleurum
Bittersweet
Baicalin
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Belamcanda
Bergenia
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Cinnamomum
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Codonopsis
Clerodendrum phlomidis
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Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Catecholamine
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Cubeb
Curcuma
cypress
Cowslip
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Calamus
Cedrus libani
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salt
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Other body systems supported by Buddha's Hand
Digestive SystemGastrointestinal Tract
Immune System
Liver
Lungs
Respiratory System
Sinuses
Stomach