Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) has a longstanding history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly within North American eclectic and folk practices. The bark and root bark have been used primarily as a "bitter tonic" and for supporting liver and gallbladder function, but there are also references to its use for general digestive health, which may marginally include the small intestine by association. Traditional herbalists used Fringetree for various digestive complaints, often in the context of stimulating bile flow or addressing sluggish digestion, which would indirectly affect the small intestine's function in fat digestion and nutrient absorption. However, most historical sources emphasize its action on the liver and biliary tract rather than specifically on the small intestine.

There is very little scientific research on Fringetree, and virtually none that directly evaluates its effects on the small intestine. No clinical trials or animal studies have established its efficacy for small intestinal health or specific conditions such as malabsorption or inflammation of the small intestine. Therefore, while there is a weak traditional rationale for its use in digestive health broadly (often as part of formulas), the evidence supporting its use for the small intestine specifically is limited and indirect. As such, its justification for this purpose is traditional, with very low evidence (rated 1/5).