Evidence supporting the use of: Glehnia root
For the health condition: Tuberculosis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Glehnia root (Glehnia littoralis), known as "bei sha shen" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has a long history of use in East Asian herbal medicine. It is primarily valued for its moistening and cooling properties, and is traditionally used to treat conditions characterized by dryness, such as dry coughs, throat irritation, and lung Yin deficiency. In TCM, tuberculosis (TB), particularly pulmonary TB, was often classified as a "consumptive disease" or "lung Yin deficiency with heat," and glehnia root was included in formulas aimed at nourishing Yin, moistening the lungs, and alleviating chronic cough. Despite its traditional use, there is limited scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of glehnia root specifically for tuberculosis. While some in vitro and animal studies suggest that glehnia root may have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, there is currently no robust clinical data demonstrating its effectiveness against Mycobacterium tuberculosis or in the management of human TB. Moreover, standard TB treatment requires potent antibiotics, and herbal remedies like glehnia root are not substitutes for these drugs. In summary, glehnia root’s use in TB management is primarily justified by traditional medical practice rather than modern scientific validation. Its role is supportive, aimed at symptom relief and lung nourishment, rather than as a direct anti-tubercular agent.

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