What patterns does Bian Dou Hua address?

Bian Dou Hua addresses these TCM patterns of disharmony: Summer-Heat, Spleen Deficiency with Dampness, Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine.

What conditions is Bian Dou Hua used for?

Bian Dou Hua is commonly used for: Diarrhea, Dysentery, Nausea, Thin Vaginal Discharge, Heat Stroke, Gastroenteritis, Poor Appetite. A TCM practitioner would consider this herb when these conditions arise from the specific patterns it addresses.

Herb Flower (花 huā)

Bian Dou Hua

Q: What are the TCM actions of Bian Dou Hua?

The TCM actions of Bian Dou Hua include: Clears Summer-Heat and Resolves Dampness, Strengthens the Spleen and Harmonizes the Middle, Stops Dysentery, Astringes to Stop Vaginal Discharge.

Hyacinth bean flower · 扁豆花

Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet · Flos Lablab Album

Also known as: Nán Dòu Huā (南豆花), Bái Biǎn Dòu Huā (白扁豆花), Flower of Hyacinth Dolichos, Dolichos lablab L. (older synonym)

Bian Dou Hua (Hyacinth bean flower) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

The dried flower of the hyacinth bean plant, Bian Dou Hua is a gentle, food-grade herb traditionally used during summer to relieve heat-related digestive problems like diarrhea, nausea, and a feeling of heaviness. It is mild enough to be taken as a tea or added to light broths, making it a popular seasonal remedy for mild heatstroke and upset stomach in hot weather.

Category Herbs that clear Summer-Heat (清热解暑药) Dampness-draining herbs (利水渗湿药)

Therapeutic focus Digestive Health Summer Heat Relief Vaginal Discharge Support

TCM Properties

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān), Bland (淡 dàn)

Channels entered

Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine

Parts used

Flower (花 huā)

Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Herb Does

Every herb has a specific set of actions — here's what Bian Dou Hua does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Bian Dou Hua is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Digestive Health Summer Heat Relief Vaginal Discharge Support

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Bian Dou Hua performs to restore balance in the body:

Clears Summer-Heat and Resolves Dampness Strengthens the Spleen and Harmonizes the Middle Stops Dysentery Astringes to Stop Vaginal Discharge

How these actions work

'Clears Summer-Heat and resolves Dampness' means Bian Dou Hua disperses the kind of pathogenic heat and heaviness that comes from hot, humid summer weather. In TCM, Summer-Heat is a seasonal pathogen that often combines with Dampness to cause symptoms like fever, heaviness, nausea, and loose stools. Because this herb is aromatic and light in nature, it gently lifts and disperses these pathogenic factors without being overly cold or drying. This is why it is a go-to herb during the summer months for mild cases of heatstroke or summer digestive upset.

'Harmonizes the middle burner and strengthens the Spleen' refers to its gentle support of the digestive system. Its sweet and bland taste enters the Spleen and Stomach, helping to restore normal digestive function when Summer-Heat or Dampness has disrupted appetite and bowel regularity. Unlike stronger Spleen-tonifying herbs, Bian Dou Hua works by removing the pathogenic obstacle (Dampness) rather than powerfully boosting Qi.

'Stops diarrhea and dysentery' describes its traditional use for loose stools, watery diarrhea, and even bloody dysentery caused by Dampness and Heat in the intestines. Its bland nature helps to separate the clean from the turbid in the gut. Classical texts record its use both internally (as decoction or powder) and even as stuffing in dumplings for treating summer diarrhea.

'Stops vaginal discharge' means it addresses abnormal leucorrhea (white or reddish vaginal discharge) that results from Dampness pouring downward from a weakened Spleen. This application was already noted in the Ben Cao Tu Jing, one of the earliest references for this herb.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Bian Dou Hua is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Bian Dou Hua addresses this pattern

Summer-Heat (暑邪) is a seasonal pathogen unique to the hot months that often combines with Dampness to invade the body. When Summer-Heat affects the Qi level, it disturbs the Spleen and Stomach's digestive function and clouds the head with heat. Bian Dou Hua's aromatic, sweet, and bland nature allows it to gently clear Summer-Heat from the upper and middle burners while simultaneously resolving the Dampness that typically accompanies it. Its neutral temperature means it clears heat without introducing excess cold that could further injure a Dampness-burdened Spleen. This makes it especially suited for mild cases where Summer-Heat and Dampness coexist.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Fever

Low-grade fever in summer

Diarrhea

Watery diarrhea triggered by summer heat

Nausea

Nausea and poor appetite in hot weather

Dizziness

Dizziness and mental fogginess from heat

Why Bian Dou Hua addresses this pattern

When the Spleen is weakened, it fails to transform and transport fluids properly, allowing Dampness to accumulate internally. This pattern manifests as chronic loose stools, poor appetite, fatigue, and sometimes abnormal vaginal discharge. Bian Dou Hua gently supports the Spleen through its sweet taste (which tonifies) while its bland taste promotes the separation of clean and turbid fluids, helping the Spleen regain its function of fluid metabolism. It is a mild herb well suited for cases where Dampness is the primary problem and the Spleen deficiency is not severe.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Loose Stools

Chronic soft or unformed stools

Poor Appetite

Reduced appetite and bland taste in the mouth

Thin Vaginal Discharge

Excessive white vaginal discharge

Eye Fatigue

Tiredness and heavy limbs

Why Bian Dou Hua addresses this pattern

When Dampness and Heat combine in the Large Intestine, the result is dysentery with bloody, mucus-laden stools, abdominal pain, and urgency. Bian Dou Hua addresses this pattern by clearing Dampness from the intestinal tract through its bland, draining nature while its gentle action avoids harshly purging or further injuring the gut. Classical sources specifically record its use for dysentery with pus and blood in the stools, and modern clinical observations have confirmed its inhibitory effect on dysentery bacilli.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Dysentery

Bloody mucoid stools

Abdominal Pain

Cramping abdominal pain with urgency

Diarrhea

Frequent loose stools with foul odor

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Bian Dou Hua is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Summer-Heat Spleen Deficiency with Dampness

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, diarrhea is most commonly understood as a failure of the Spleen to properly separate the 'clear' (nutrients) from the 'turbid' (waste). When this separation goes wrong, fluids that should be absorbed instead rush downward through the intestines. In summer, the external pathogens of Summer-Heat and Dampness invade the Spleen and Stomach, overwhelming the digestive system's ability to process fluids. The result is sudden-onset watery diarrhea, often accompanied by nausea, abdominal bloating, and a feeling of heaviness. In more chronic cases, an underlying Spleen Qi deficiency allows Dampness to accumulate even without seasonal triggers, leading to persistent soft stools.

Why Bian Dou Hua Helps

Bian Dou Hua's bland taste promotes the drainage and separation of fluids in the digestive tract, helping the Spleen distinguish clean from turbid. Its sweet taste gently supports Spleen function without being heavy or cloying. Because it is neutral in temperature, it can clear Summer-Heat without introducing cold that might worsen diarrhea. Its aromatic quality helps disperse Dampness from the middle burner. This combination of properties makes it particularly well suited for summer diarrhea where both heat and dampness are involved.

Also commonly used for

Dysentery

Bacterial dysentery with pus and blood in stools

Nausea

Nausea and vomiting due to summer heat

Thin Vaginal Discharge

Excessive white or reddish vaginal discharge

Gastroenteritis

Acute summer gastroenteritis

Poor Appetite

Loss of appetite in humid weather

Herb Properties

Every herb has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān), Bland (淡 dàn)

Channels Entered

Spleen Stomach Large Intestine

Parts Used

Flower (花 huā)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Bian Dou Hua — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

3–9g

Maximum dosage

Up to 15g in acute summer diarrhea; generally no need to exceed 9g for standard indications.

Dosage notes

Use lower doses (3–5g) for mild summerheat with slight nausea or poor appetite. Use higher doses (6–9g) for acute summer diarrhea, dysentery, or heavy vaginal discharge. When used as a powder (ground dried flowers), typical doses are 3–6g taken with rice water. For culinary-medicinal use in congee or soup, a handful of dried flowers (roughly 9–15g) can be added directly. The flower is lighter in nature than the seed (Bai Bian Dou) and is preferred when the primary goal is clearing summerheat and dispersing Dampness rather than tonifying the Spleen.

Preparation

No special decoction handling is required. Bian Dou Hua can be added with the other herbs at the start of a standard decoction. It is also commonly used as a dried powder taken with rice water, or incorporated directly into foods such as congee, soup, or wontons.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same herb can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Bian Dou Hua does

Processing method

Dry-fried in a wok over gentle heat until the flowers become slightly yellow and fragrant.

How it changes properties

Dry-frying enhances the herb's Spleen-strengthening and diarrhea-stopping actions. The warmth from stir-frying slightly shifts the herb from purely neutral toward mild warmth, making it more suitable for stopping diarrhea in Spleen deficiency patterns. Its Summer-Heat clearing action is somewhat reduced.

When to use this form

When the primary goal is to stop diarrhea or vaginal discharge from Spleen deficiency with Dampness, rather than to clear Summer-Heat. Preferred for chronic, cold-type diarrhea.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Bian Dou Hua for enhanced therapeutic effect

Jin Yin Hua 1:1 (both at 6g, preferably fresh)

Together they form the core of Qing Luo Yin. Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle flower) provides aromatic, cool heat-clearing action while Bian Dou Hua adds Dampness-resolving and Spleen-supporting properties. The pair clears Summer-Heat from the Lung network while simultaneously addressing the Dampness component.

When to use: Mild Summer-Heat affecting the upper body with low fever, slight thirst, dizziness, and mental fogginess, especially in humid conditions.

He Ye 1:1 (6g each)

He Ye (Lotus leaf) raises clear Qi and disperses Summer-Heat upward and outward, while Bian Dou Hua resolves Dampness from the middle burner. Together they clear the head and restore digestive function disrupted by summer heat and humidity.

When to use: Summer digestive complaints with headache, heaviness, and poor appetite caused by heat and dampness.

Chen Pi 1:3 (Bian Dou Hua 10g : Chen Pi 30g as a tea)

Chen Pi (Tangerine peel) moves Qi and dries Dampness with its warm, acrid, and bitter properties, while Bian Dou Hua gently clears Summer-Heat and resolves Dampness. Together they address Dampness obstructing the middle burner from different angles, one by moving Qi and the other by clearing and draining.

When to use: Chronic loose stools with bloating and poor appetite from Spleen Qi deficiency with Dampness accumulation.

Xiang Ru 1:1 to 1:2

Xiang Ru (Elsholtzia) releases the exterior and transforms Dampness in summer conditions, while Bian Dou Hua clears internal Summer-Heat and supports the Spleen. Together they address both the exterior symptoms (chills, fever) and interior Dampness (diarrhea, nausea) of summer colds.

When to use: Summer exterior pattern with simultaneous internal Dampness, presenting with chills, fever, headache, nausea, and diarrhea.

Key Formulas

These well-known formulas feature Bian Dou Hua in a prominent role

Qing Luo Yin 清絡飲 King

Qing Luo Yin from Wu Jutong's Wen Bing Tiao Bian is the definitive showcase of Bian Dou Hua's Summer-Heat clearing properties. Fresh Bian Dou Hua serves as one of two King herbs (alongside fresh Jin Yin Hua), using its aromatic, Dampness-resolving nature to clear mild Summer-Heat from the Lung network. The formula's light, fresh composition perfectly illustrates the herb's gentle, clearing character.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Bian Dou Hua vs Bai Bian Dou

Bai Bian Dou (the seed of the same plant) is slightly warm and focuses more on tonifying the Spleen Qi and stopping diarrhea. Bian Dou Hua (the flower) is neutral and leans more toward clearing Summer-Heat and resolving Dampness. Choose the seed for chronic Spleen deficiency with loose stools; choose the flower for acute summer conditions where heat and dampness predominate.

Bian Dou Hua vs Huo Xiang

Both Huo Xiang (Patchouli) and Bian Dou Hua resolve Dampness and address summer digestive complaints. However, Huo Xiang is more aromatic and pungent, with stronger action to transform Dampness, stop vomiting, and release the exterior. Bian Dou Hua is milder and gentler, better suited for light cases or as a food-grade preventive tea. Huo Xiang is the stronger clinical choice when nausea and vomiting are prominent.

Bian Dou Hua vs Pei Lan

Pei Lan (Eupatorium) is aromatic and transforms Dampness in the middle burner, similar to Bian Dou Hua. However, Pei Lan is more strongly aromatic and specifically targets turbid Dampness with a sweet, greasy taste in the mouth. Bian Dou Hua is blander and milder, with additional Spleen-supporting and diarrhea-stopping actions that Pei Lan lacks.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Bian Dou Hua

Bian Dou Hua (white hyacinth bean flower) should be distinguished from the purple-flowered variety of the same plant. For medicinal use, the white flower is standard; the purple flower is traditionally said to enter the Blood level rather than the Qi level and has somewhat different indications. Additionally, the flowers should not be confused with Ge Hua (Pueraria lobata flower, kudzu flower), which is from a different plant entirely but is another legume flower used in TCM, primarily for resolving alcohol intoxication. Other potential substitutes or confusion items include flowers of Sophora japonica (Huai Hua), though these look quite different upon close inspection.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any herb.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Bian Dou Hua

Non-toxic

Bian Dou Hua is classified as non-toxic in classical and modern sources. The Si Chuan Zhong Yao Zhi explicitly records it as 'neutral in nature, sweet and bland in flavor, non-toxic' (性平，味甘淡，无毒). Note that while the raw mature seeds of the parent plant (Lablab purpureus) contain cyanogenic glycosides and lectins that can cause poisoning if not properly cooked, the flowers do not share this concern and are safe for both decoction and direct culinary use. No special processing is required to render the flowers safe.

Contraindications

Situations where Bian Dou Hua should not be used or requires extra caution

Caution

People with active febrile illness caused by external pathogens (such as colds with high fever) should avoid this herb, as its Spleen-supplementing nature may trap the pathogen inside the body. Classical texts note that those with 'cold-heat' illness (寒热) should not consume it.

Caution

Those with malaria or alternating fever and chills should avoid this herb. Classical commentary explains that the hyacinth bean plant's nature of resisting summer heat can conflict with the pathological dynamic of malaria, where pathogenic and upright Qi are already in opposition.

Caution

Excessive use may cause Qi stagnation and obstruct the Spleen. Multiple classical sources warn that overconsumption of Bian Dou (and its flower) can lead to bloating and distension due to its tendency to 'block' Qi movement when taken in large amounts.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Generally considered safe at standard doses during pregnancy. The hyacinth bean (Bai Bian Dou) was historically noted by the Ben Cao Xin Bian as being used in pregnancy formulas to 'harmonize fetal Qi,' though it was considered insufficient on its own to prevent miscarriage. The flower shares the seed's gentle, neutral nature and has no known uterine-stimulating or teratogenic properties. Standard caution applies: pregnant women should consult a qualified practitioner before use.

Breastfeeding

No specific concerns have been identified for use during breastfeeding. Bian Dou Hua is classified as non-toxic with a gentle, neutral nature. The parent plant is widely consumed as food across Asia. The flower's mild Spleen-strengthening and Dampness-resolving properties are unlikely to adversely affect breast milk composition or lactation. It may even be supportive for nursing mothers experiencing poor appetite or loose stools due to Spleen weakness, though practitioner guidance is recommended.

Children

Bian Dou Hua is mild and well-tolerated, making it suitable for children. It has traditionally been used in pediatric cases of summer diarrhea and poor appetite. For children, dosage should be reduced proportionally based on age: roughly one-third to one-half of the adult dose for children aged 3 to 7 years, and half to two-thirds for children aged 7 to 14 years. It can also be incorporated into food (congee, soups) for gentle dietary therapy.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Bian Dou Hua

No significant drug interactions have been documented for Bian Dou Hua specifically. The parent plant (Lablab purpureus) contains lectins and some alpha-amylase inhibitors in its seeds, but these are not present at clinically significant levels in the flowers. As a mild, food-grade herb with no known potent pharmacological effects, the risk of interaction with pharmaceutical drugs is considered very low. However, due to its Dampness-resolving action, practitioners should be aware that it could theoretically influence the absorption of concurrently taken oral medications if used in very large amounts, though this is not clinically established.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Bian Dou Hua

Avoid cold, raw, and greasy foods while taking Bian Dou Hua, as these can aggravate the Dampness and digestive weakness that the herb is meant to address. Favor warm, easily digestible foods such as rice congee, steamed vegetables, and light soups. The herb pairs well in cooking with ingredients like rice, mung beans, lotus seeds, and Job's tears (Yi Yi Ren) for enhanced Spleen-supporting and Dampness-resolving effects.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Bian Dou Hua source plant

Bian Dou Hua is the dried flower of Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet (syn. Dolichos lablab L.), a member of the Fabaceae (legume) family. The parent plant is a vigorous, twining, herbaceous perennial vine that is commonly grown as an annual, reaching 3 to 6 metres in length with stems that can extend up to 8 metres. The stems are often tinged purplish, and the plant bears compound trifoliate leaves with broad, triangular to ovate leaflets roughly 6 to 10 cm long.

The flowers themselves grow in upright racemes (elongated clusters). Each individual flower is of the typical butterfly-shaped (papilionaceous) pea type, about 1 to 1.5 cm long, and can be white, lavender, pink, or deep purple depending on the cultivar. For medicinal use, the white-flowered variety is preferred. The flowers are followed by flat, sickle-shaped pods containing 2 to 4 flattened seeds. The plant thrives in warm, sunny conditions, tolerates heat and some drought, and prefers well-drained soils. It is originally from sub-Saharan Africa or India and has been cultivated across tropical and subtropical Asia for millennia.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Bian Dou Hua is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

July to August, when flowers have not yet fully opened (semi-open buds preferred). Sun-dried or shade-dried.

Primary growing regions

Bian Dou Hua is widely cultivated across China and does not have a single dominant 'terroir' (道地) region in the way that many roots and rhizomes do. However, the best quality is traditionally associated with Zhejiang (浙江), Jiangsu (江苏), and Anhui (安徽) provinces. Significant production also comes from Henan (河南), Hunan (湖南), Guangdong (广东), Sichuan (四川), and Yunnan (云南). The plant grows throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide and is originally native to sub-Saharan Africa and India.

Quality indicators

Good quality Bian Dou Hua flowers appear as flattened, irregularly triangular shapes, approximately 1 cm in length and width. The petals should be yellowish-white to pale yellowish-brown in color (white-flowered cultivar preferred for medicine; purple flowers are not typically used medicinally). The base should show a greenish-brown bell-shaped calyx with fine white hairs. The texture should be soft and light. A subtle, pleasant fragrance is a key quality marker. The taste should be mild and bland. The best quality flowers are large, yellowish-white in colour, and clearly aromatic. Avoid flowers that are darkened, mouldy, or lacking any fragrance.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Bian Dou Hua and its therapeutic uses

《本草图经》 Ben Cao Tu Jing (Song Dynasty)

Chinese: 主女子赤白下，干末，米饮和服。
English: It treats women's red and white vaginal discharge. Dry it, grind to powder, and take with rice water.

《本草纲目》 Ben Cao Gang Mu (Li Shizhen, Ming Dynasty)

Chinese: 焙研服，治崩带；作馄饨食，治泄痢；擂水饮，解中一切药毒。功同扁豆。
English: Dry-roast and grind to powder for treating uterine bleeding and vaginal discharge. Make into wontons to treat diarrhea and dysentery. Pound and mix with water to drink as an antidote for all drug poisoning. Its functions are the same as those of the seed (Bian Dou).

《本草便读》 Ben Cao Bian Du (Qing Dynasty)

Chinese: 扁豆花赤者入血分而宣瘀，白者入气分而行气，凡花皆散，故可清暑散邪，以治夏月泄痢等证也。
English: The red hyacinth bean flower enters the Blood level and disperses stasis, while the white flower enters the Qi level and moves Qi. All flowers possess a dispersing nature, so they can clear summerheat, scatter pathogenic factors, and treat summertime diarrhea and dysentery.

《四川中药志》 Si Chuan Zhong Yao Zhi

Chinese: 和胃健脾，清热除湿。治暑热神昏，湿滞中焦，下痢脓血，夏日腹泻及赤白带下。
English: Harmonizes the Stomach, strengthens the Spleen, clears Heat and eliminates Dampness. Treats summer-heat confusion, Dampness obstructing the middle burner, dysentery with pus and blood, summer diarrhea, and red or white vaginal discharge.

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Bian Dou Hua's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

The hyacinth bean (Bian Dou, 扁豆) was first recorded in Chinese medical literature in the Ming Yi Bie Lu (《名医别录》), compiled during the Southern and Northern Dynasties (5th–6th century CE) by Tao Hongjing. The plant likely arrived in China from South or Southeast Asia, and by the Tang Dynasty was widely cultivated as both a food and medicine. Li Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty honoured the white seed as 'the grain of the Spleen' (脾之谷) in his Ben Cao Gang Mu, reflecting how deeply the bean was embedded in Chinese dietary therapy.

The flower (Bian Dou Hua) was distinguished from the seed and seed coat as a separate medicinal part with its own indications. Classical authors recognized that flowers in general have a light, dispersing quality, and applied this principle specifically to Bian Dou Hua: while the seed (Bai Bian Dou) primarily strengthens the Spleen, the flower is better at dispersing summerheat and resolving Dampness. This is why the flower became a staple in summer-season formulas, such as Qing Luo Yin (清络饮), a Wen Bing (warm disease) prescription for mild summerheat. In folk practice, the fresh flowers were wrapped into wontons to treat diarrhea, a culinary-medicinal crossover that appears in the classical recipe collection Bi Yong Shi Zhi Fang (《必用食治方》).

Modern Research

2 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Bian Dou Hua

Systematic review: Botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, edible uses, and quality control of Lablab Semen Album (2024)

Hou XT et al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2024

A comprehensive review of the white hyacinth bean (which includes information on Bian Dou Hua) covering its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities. The review found that Lablab purpureus extracts contain triterpenoid saponins, glucosides, polysaccharides, and amino acids, and exhibit hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antitumoral, and antiviral properties.

PubMed

Review article: An underutilized bean - hyacinth bean [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet]: bioactive compounds, functional activity, and future food prospect (2024)

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2024

A review describing hyacinth bean as a resource with wide-ranging health benefits, noting its traditional medicinal use in China and cataloguing its bioactive compounds and functional activities including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

PubMed

Research on individual TCM herbs is growing but still limited by Western clinical trial standards. These studies provide emerging evidence and should be considered alongside practitioner expertise.