Asarum heterotropoides, commonly known as wild ginger or "xixin" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has a long history of use for treating respiratory conditions such as wheezing, cough, and asthma-like symptoms. In TCM, it is often included in herbal formulas like "Ma Huang Tang" and "Xiao Qing Long Tang," which are prescribed to "dispel wind-cold" and "relieve the exterior"—concepts that are historically associated with treating symptoms like wheezing and bronchospasm. The root contains volatile oils, such as methyleugenol and safrole, which have been suggested to possess mild anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory properties in preclinical studies, but robust clinical evidence in humans is lacking.

Most of the support for its use in wheezing comes from centuries of clinical observation and written records within traditional medical systems, rather than modern scientific validation. Some laboratory and animal studies have demonstrated that extracts of Asarum heterotropoides can exhibit anti-inflammatory, antitussive, and mild bronchodilatory effects, but these findings have not been consistently replicated in well-designed human trials. Given the potential toxicity of some of its constituents (e.g., aristolochic acids, though present in low amounts), modern clinical guidelines generally caution against its widespread use. In summary, while there is a strong traditional basis for using Asarum heterotropoides in the management of wheezing, the scientific evidence remains limited and largely preclinical.