Herb Other

Yu Mi Xu

Corn silk · 玉米须

Zea mays L. · Stigma Maydis

Also known as: Yu Mai Xu (玉麦须)

Yu Mi Xu (Corn silk) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Corn silk is the silky, thread-like strands found on ears of corn. In Chinese medicine, it is a gentle, widely available herb used mainly to reduce water retention, support urinary health, and promote healthy Liver and Gallbladder function. It is mild enough for everyday use as a tea and is commonly recommended for people dealing with urinary difficulties, edema, gallstones, or blood sugar concerns.

Category Dampness-draining herbs (利水渗湿药)
Therapeutic focus Urinary Health Blood Sugar Support Kidney Health Liver and Gallbladder Health Fluid Retention and Edema

TCM Properties

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān), Bland (淡 dàn)

Channels entered

Urinary Bladder, Liver, Gallbladder

Parts used

Other

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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 Yu Mi Xu does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Yu Mi Xu is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Urinary Health Blood Sugar Support Kidney Health Liver and Gallbladder Health Fluid Retention and Edema

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Yu Mi Xu performs to restore balance in the body:

Promotes Urination and Reduces Edema Clears Damp-Heat and Resolves Jaundice Calms the Liver Benefits the Gallbladder Lowers Blood Sugar

How these actions work

Promotes urination and reduces edema (利水消肿): Corn silk has a sweet and bland taste, which in TCM theory means it gently seeps Dampness downward through the urinary tract. It helps the body pass more urine, reducing fluid retention and swelling. This makes it useful for puffiness, bloating, and water retention from various causes, including kidney problems. Its action is mild, so it is typically used in larger doses (30-60g) or combined with other water-draining herbs for stronger effect.

Drains Dampness and relieves jaundice (利湿退黄): By promoting urination, corn silk gives the body's excess Dampness a pathway out. In TCM, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) is often caused by Damp-Heat obstructing the Liver and Gallbladder, preventing bile from flowing properly. Corn silk helps clear this Damp-Heat through the urine, which is why a classical TCM teaching says "to treat jaundice, do not forget to promote urination." Because corn silk is neutral in temperature rather than strongly cold, it can be used for both Heat-type (Yang) jaundice and Cold-type (Yin) jaundice.

Calms the Liver and benefits the Gallbladder (平肝利胆): Corn silk enters the Liver and Gallbladder channels. It helps smooth the flow of bile and ease Gallbladder conditions such as gallstones and cholecystitis. Its Liver-calming property also contributes to its traditional use for high blood pressure. Modern research has confirmed it can promote bile secretion and reduce bile thickness, supporting its classical cholagogue reputation.

Lowers blood sugar (降血糖): While not a classical TCM action category, corn silk has been used for centuries in folk medicine for what TCM calls "wasting and thirsting disorder" (消渴 xiāo kě), a condition that overlaps with diabetes. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that corn silk extracts can significantly reduce blood sugar levels.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Yu Mi Xu is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Yu Mi Xu addresses this pattern

Corn silk enters the Liver and Gallbladder channels and has a specific ability to drain Damp-Heat from these organs through urination. Damp-Heat in the Liver and Gallbladder causes bile to overflow, producing jaundice, and can also lead to gallstones and cholecystitis. Corn silk's bland, seeping nature draws this Damp-Heat downward and out through the Urinary Bladder, relieving the obstruction. Its neutral temperature means it clears Dampness without being overly cold, making it suitable even when the patient's constitution is not strongly heated.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Jaundice

Yellow skin and eyes from bile overflow

Gallstones

Pain in the right upper abdomen related to stones

Cholecystitis

Gallbladder inflammation with nausea and distension

Dark Urine

Scanty, dark-coloured urine

Commonly Used For

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

Arises from: Spleen Deficiency with Dampness

TCM Interpretation

TCM understands diabetes through the framework of "wasting and thirsting disorder" (消渴 xiāo kě), which involves dysfunction of the Lungs, Stomach, and Kidneys. The core issue is often a combination of Yin Deficiency generating internal Heat, and the Spleen failing to properly transform and distribute fluids and nutrients. When the Spleen cannot regulate fluid metabolism, thirst, excessive urination, and hunger result. Over time, Dampness and Heat can accumulate, further impairing the organs' ability to process sugars and fluids.

Why Yu Mi Xu Helps

Corn silk's bland, Dampness-draining nature helps restore the body's fluid metabolism. By entering the Liver and Gallbladder channels, it supports the smooth processing of nutrients. Its sweet, neutral properties do not damage Yin (unlike harsh cold or bitter herbs), making it safe for long-term use. Folk traditions recorded in the Lǐng Nán Cǎi Yào Lù (岭南采药录) describe cooking corn silk with pork to treat diabetes. Modern pharmacological research has confirmed that corn silk extracts can significantly reduce blood sugar levels, possibly by supporting pancreatic beta-cell function.

Also commonly used for

Urinary Tract Infection

Damp-Heat type with painful, burning urination

Jaundice

Both Damp-Heat and Damp-Cold types of jaundice

Cholecystitis

Chronic gallbladder inflammation

Gallstones

Especially smaller or sludge-type gallstones

Hypertension

Mild blood pressure support, especially renal hypertension

Hepatitis

Acute and chronic hepatitis with jaundice

Nephritis

Acute and chronic glomerulonephritis with edema

Sinusitis

Chronic nasal congestion and discharge

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

Urinary Bladder Liver Gallbladder

Parts Used

Other

Dosage & Preparation

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

Standard dosage

15–30g (dried); 30–60g (fresh)

Maximum dosage

Up to 60–90g of dried herb in decoction for acute conditions (e.g. severe oedema, kidney stones), under practitioner supervision. Fresh corn silk can be used at double the dried dosage.

Dosage notes

Standard doses of 15–30g are used for mild urinary difficulty, early-stage oedema, or as a general health tea. Higher doses of 30–60g are commonly used for more pronounced conditions such as nephritis-related oedema, gallstones, jaundice, or urinary stones. When used as a daily health tea, 3–5g of dried corn silk steeped in hot water is sufficient. Fresh corn silk is considered more active and should be used at roughly double the dried dosage. Because corn silk has mild blood-sugar-lowering effects, it is best not taken on an empty stomach in large amounts, especially by people prone to low blood sugar.

Preparation

No special decoction handling required. Corn silk is simply added to boiling water and decocted for 20–30 minutes, or steeped as a tea. It can also be burned to ash (shao cun xing) and ground to powder for topical or internal use in certain folk preparations. For nasal conditions, the classical method described smoking dried corn silk through a pipe.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Yu Mi Xu for enhanced therapeutic effect

Jin Qian Cao
Jin Qian Cao Yù Mǐ Xū 30g : Jīn Qián Cǎo 30-45g

Corn silk and Jīn Qián Cǎo (Lysimachia) together powerfully promote urination, dissolve stones, and clear Damp-Heat from the Liver, Gallbladder, and urinary tract. Jīn Qián Cǎo is stronger at dissolving stones while corn silk provides gentle, sustained diuresis to flush them out.

When to use: Urinary stones (kidney or bladder stones) or gallstones, especially small or sludge-type stones with Damp-Heat signs like dark urine or jaundice.

Yin Chen
Yin Chen Yù Mǐ Xū 30g : Yīn Chén Hāo 15-30g

Corn silk drains Dampness through urination while Yīn Chén Hāo (Artemisia capillaris) is the premier Damp-Heat clearing herb for jaundice. Together they address jaundice from both angles: Yīn Chén clears Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat directly, while corn silk gives the Dampness a downward exit route through the urine.

When to use: Jaundice from hepatitis, cholestasis, or other Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat conditions.

Dong Gua Pi
Dong Gua Pi 1:1 (Yù Mǐ Xū 30g : Dōng Guā Pí 30g)

Both herbs are bland, Dampness-draining diuretics. Corn silk enters the Bladder, Liver, and Gallbladder channels, while Dōng Guā Pí (winter melon rind) enters the Spleen and Small Intestine. Together they provide broad-spectrum diuresis without damaging Yin or depleting Qi.

When to use: Edema and water retention, especially from kidney disease, with reduced urine output and generalized puffiness.

Hai Jin Sha
Hai Jin Sha Yù Mǐ Xū 30g : Hǎi Jīn Shā 15g

Hǎi Jīn Shā (Lygodium spores) clears Heat and unblocks painful urinary obstruction, while corn silk provides sustained diuretic flushing. Together they are particularly effective for "stone Lin" (urinary tract stones) with painful, difficult urination.

When to use: Urinary stones with pain, difficulty urinating, or blood in the urine.

Comparable Ingredients

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

Fu Ling
Yu Mi Xu vs Fu Ling

Both drain Dampness through gentle diuresis, but Fú Líng (Poria) is much stronger at tonifying the Spleen and calming the Spirit, making it the better choice when Spleen deficiency is the root cause of fluid accumulation. Corn silk has a stronger affinity for the Liver, Gallbladder, and Bladder, making it better suited for jaundice, gallstones, and urinary tract conditions. Fú Líng is a first-line herb in major classical formulas, while corn silk is used more as a folk medicine and dietary supplement.

Che Qian Zi
Yu Mi Xu vs Che Qian Zi

Both promote urination and are used for Lin syndrome. Chē Qián Zǐ (Plantago seed) is cold in nature and more powerful at clearing Heat, draining Dampness from the eyes (brightens vision), and resolving Phlegm. Corn silk is neutral and milder, better tolerated long-term as a daily tea, and has the added benefit of targeting the Liver-Gallbladder axis for jaundice and gallstones, which Chē Qián Zǐ does not specifically address.

Ze Xie
Yu Mi Xu vs Ze Xie

Both drain Dampness through urination. Zé Xiè (Alisma) is cold and enters the Kidney and Bladder channels, making it more powerful for draining Kidney-Bladder Damp-Heat and clearing deficiency Fire. Corn silk is neutral, gentler, and has broader channel coverage (Liver, Gallbladder, Bladder), making it better for Liver-Gallbladder conditions. Zé Xiè is a stronger, faster-acting diuretic used in classical formulas like Wǔ Líng Sǎn, while corn silk is milder and more suited to long-term or food-therapy use.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Yu Mi Xu

Because corn silk is an inexpensive and widely available agricultural byproduct, intentional adulteration is uncommon. The main quality concerns are: (1) mixing with excessive husk fragments, leaf debris, or corn cob material during collection, which reduces potency; (2) using corn silk harvested too late (after the kernels are fully mature and dry), at which point much of the bioactive content has diminished; (3) poor storage leading to mould, discolouration, or insect damage. There are no common substitute herbs passed off as corn silk, but practitioners should ensure the material is properly identified as the style and stigma of Zea mays L. and not confused with other grass family fibres.

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

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Yu Mi Xu

Non-toxic

Yu Mi Xu is classified as non-toxic. Animal toxicity studies have shown no histopathological or adverse effects at corn silk concentrations of 8.0% consumed for 90 days. Clinical use over six months in chronic nephritis patients showed no toxic side effects. The main safety consideration is not toxicity per se, but the potential for electrolyte depletion (particularly potassium and sodium) with prolonged or high-dose use due to its diuretic action. No toxic components requiring special processing have been identified.

Contraindications

Situations where Yu Mi Xu should not be used or requires extra caution

Avoid

Known allergy to corn or corn pollen. Individuals with corn allergy may experience skin rash, itching, or allergic reactions when using corn silk.

Caution

Pre-existing low blood pressure (hypotension). Corn silk may further lower blood pressure due to its diuretic and vasodilatory properties.

Caution

Pre-existing low blood potassium (hypokalemia). Corn silk's diuretic action can deplete potassium and may worsen electrolyte imbalances.

Caution

Concurrent use with pharmaceutical diuretics such as furosemide (Lasix). Combined use may cause excessive fluid and electrolyte loss.

Caution

Scheduled surgery within two weeks. Corn silk may affect blood sugar and blood pressure control during and after surgical procedures.

Caution

Concurrent use with anticoagulant medications (especially warfarin). Corn silk contains Vitamin K, which may reduce the anticoagulant effect.

Caution

People taking diabetes medication should use with caution, as corn silk may lower blood sugar and risk hypoglycemia when combined with antidiabetic drugs.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Use with caution during pregnancy. While corn silk consumed in normal food amounts is generally considered safe, larger medicinal doses are not recommended. There are concerns that corn silk in high doses may stimulate uterine activity, potentially increasing miscarriage risk. Interestingly, one traditional folk application from the Quan Guo Zhong Cao Yao Hui Bian (National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine) describes using corn silk tea to help prevent habitual miscarriage, but this should only be done under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. Pregnant women should avoid self-prescribing medicinal doses.

Breastfeeding

No specific adverse effects on breastfeeding have been documented. Corn silk consumed in food-level amounts is generally considered safe during breastfeeding. Notably, the earliest classical record in the Dian Nan Ben Cao specifically recommended corn silk for breast lumps and blocked milk flow, suggesting traditional practitioners considered it beneficial for lactation issues. However, there is insufficient modern research on the transfer of corn silk's active compounds into breast milk at medicinal doses. Nursing mothers should use standard decoction doses only under practitioner guidance.

Children

Corn silk tea can be given to children in reduced amounts with practitioner guidance. Because of its mild diuretic properties, it may affect fluid and electrolyte balance in young children if taken regularly or in large quantities. For children over 5 years, a common approach is to use approximately one-third to one-half of the adult dose. It is traditionally considered gentle and safe enough for short-term paediatric use for conditions like urinary difficulty or mild oedema, but ongoing use should be monitored.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Yu Mi Xu

Diuretic medications (furosemide/Lasix, hydrochlorothiazide, bumetanide, torsemide, chlorothiazide): Corn silk has diuretic properties and may compound the fluid and electrolyte loss caused by pharmaceutical diuretics, potentially leading to excessive potassium depletion (hypokalemia) and dehydration. Electrolyte levels should be monitored.

Warfarin (Coumadin) and other anticoagulants: Corn silk contains Vitamin K, which promotes blood clotting. This may reduce the effectiveness of warfarin and similar anticoagulant drugs. INR should be monitored regularly if used concurrently.

Antidiabetic medications (insulin, glimepiride, metformin, glyburide, etc.): Corn silk has demonstrated blood sugar-lowering effects in both animal and human studies. Combined use with diabetes medications may cause blood sugar to drop too low (hypoglycemia). Blood glucose should be monitored closely.

Antihypertensive medications: Corn silk may lower blood pressure. Combined use with blood pressure medications could cause an excessive drop in blood pressure. Blood pressure should be monitored.

Anti-inflammatory corticosteroids: Some anti-inflammatory medications can decrease potassium levels. Corn silk may further reduce potassium, compounding the risk of hypokalemia when used together.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Yu Mi Xu

When using corn silk for its diuretic and dampness-draining effects, it is advisable to maintain adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration. Eating potassium-rich foods (bananas, sweet potatoes, leafy greens) can help offset the mild potassium-depleting effect of prolonged use. Avoid excessive salty or greasy foods, which counteract its dampness-clearing actions. Because corn silk can lower blood sugar, avoid taking large medicinal doses on an empty stomach, and do not combine with large amounts of other blood sugar-lowering foods or supplements without monitoring.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Yu Mi Xu source plant

Yu Mi Xu (Stigma Maydis, corn silk) is the style and stigma of Zea mays L., an annual grass belonging to the family Gramineae (Poaceae). The corn plant is a tall, robust annual herb typically growing 1 to 3 metres high, with a thick, erect stem bearing large, alternate, strap-shaped leaves with prominent midribs. It is monoecious: the male flowers (tassels) are borne in a terminal panicle at the top of the stem, while the female flowers develop in axillary ears enclosed by leaf sheaths (husks).

The medicinal part, the "silk," consists of the elongated styles and bifid stigmas that emerge from the tip of the ear. Each silk strand connects to a single ovule (potential kernel). When fresh, the silks are soft, shiny, and pale green to yellowish-green, turning golden-brown and then reddish-brown as they mature. A single ear can produce up to 1,000 silk strands, which may reach 30 cm or longer in length. The plant thrives in warm, temperate climates with rich, well-drained soil and ample water, and is cultivated worldwide as a major cereal crop.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Yu Mi Xu is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Summer to autumn. Corn silk can be collected when the corn is at the silking stage (when fresh silk first emerges), but it is most commonly gathered in autumn when the mature ears are harvested. Fresh silk is considered more potent; dried silk retains activity when properly processed.

Primary growing regions

Corn (Zea mays) is cultivated throughout China and worldwide, so Yu Mi Xu does not have a single traditional "daodi" (terroir) region in the way that many classic Chinese herbs do. Major producing regions in China include the northeastern provinces (Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning), as well as Shandong, Henan, Hebei, Sichuan, and Yunnan. The herb's earliest medicinal recording was in the Dian Nan Ben Cao from Yunnan province. Because corn silk is essentially an agricultural byproduct, quality depends more on the harvest timing and drying method than on geographic origin.

Quality indicators

Good quality dried corn silk (Yu Mi Xu) forms loose, tangled clusters of fine, thread-like strands. The individual strands should be intact and complete, reaching up to 30 cm or longer, approximately 0.5 mm in diameter. The colour should be light green, yellow-green, or golden-brown with a subtle sheen and slight translucency. The texture should be soft and pliable, not brittle or crumbling. The stigma tip (bifid fork) should be visible at around 3 mm long. The taste should be faintly sweet and bland, with minimal aroma. Avoid material that is dark brown or black (indicating mould or over-aging), excessively fragmented, or mixed with husk debris and other impurities.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Yu Mi Xu and its therapeutic uses

《滇南本草》(Dian Nan Ben Cao, Materia Medica of South Yunnan)

Original: 宽肠下气。治妇人乳结，乳汁不通，红肿疼痛，怕冷发热，头痛体困。

Translation: Relaxes the intestines and directs Qi downward. Treats women's breast lumps, blocked milk flow, redness, swelling and pain [of the breast], aversion to cold with fever, headache and body heaviness.

《岭南采药录》(Ling Nan Cai Yao Lu, Records of Collecting Herbs in Lingnan)

Original: 和猪肉煎汤治糖尿病。又治小便淋沥砂石，苦痛不可忍，煎汤频服。

Translation: Boiled in broth with pork to treat diabetes. Also treats painful urinary dribbling with gritty stones; decoct and drink frequently when the pain is unbearable.

《现代实用中药》(Xian Dai Shi Yong Zhong Yao, Modern Practical Chinese Materia Medica)

Original: 为利尿药，对肾脏病、浮肿性疾患、糖尿病等有效。又为胆囊炎、胆石、肝炎性黄疸等的有效药。

Translation: A diuretic agent, effective for kidney diseases, edematous conditions, and diabetes. Also an effective medicine for cholecystitis, gallstones, and hepatitis-related jaundice.

《民间常用草药汇编》(Min Jian Chang Yong Cao Yao Hui Bian, Compilation of Common Folk Herbal Medicines)

Original: 能降低血压，利尿消肿。治鼻血、红崩。

Translation: Can lower blood pressure and promote urination to reduce swelling. Treats nosebleed and uterine flooding.

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Yu Mi Xu's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Yu Mi Xu was first recorded as a medicinal substance in the Dian Nan Ben Cao (滇南本草, Materia Medica of South Yunnan), written by the Ming Dynasty physician Lan Mao (兰茂, 1397–1470) in approximately 1436 AD. This is notably early, given that corn itself was only introduced to China from the Americas during the late Ming period. The original entry focused on its ability to promote lactation and relieve breast lumps, reflecting its use in women's health.

In the centuries that followed, corn silk appeared in regional folk medicine compilations rather than the major national pharmacopoeias. Works such as the Sichuan Zhong Yao Zhi, Guiyang Shi Mi Fang Yan Fang, Zhejiang Min Jian Cao Yao, and Hubei Zhong Cao Yao Zhi all expanded its indications to include urinary disorders, diabetes ("wasting-thirst"), jaundice, high blood pressure, and bleeding conditions. It was officially included in the 1977 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and in the 1985 Ministry of Health Medicinal Materials Standards. In folk culture, corn silk tea is popularly known as "Dragon's Whisker Tea" (龙须茶, long xu cha), reflecting both the thread-like appearance of the silk and its status as a treasured home remedy.

Globally, corn silk has a parallel history of medicinal use among Indigenous peoples of the Americas, who domesticated maize around 9,000 years ago in Mesoamerica. It later became a folk remedy in Turkey, France, and the United States for urinary tract complaints, well before modern pharmacological research validated its diuretic and blood sugar-lowering properties.

Modern Research

4 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Yu Mi Xu

1

Corn Silk Tea for Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (2019)

Shi S, Li S, Li W, Xu H. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019, Volume 2019, Article 2915498.

This systematic review pooled five RCTs involving 567 hypertensive patients. It found that drinking corn silk tea alongside conventional blood pressure medications was significantly more effective than medication alone (RR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.45–2.04). However, all included studies had methodological limitations including lack of blinding, and further well-designed trials were recommended.

2

Corn Silk Decoction for Blood Lipid in Patients with Angina Pectoris: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2019)

Shi S, Yu B, Li W, Shan J, Ma T. Phytotherapy Research, 2019, 33(11): 2862–2869.

A meta-analysis of four RCTs examining the effect of corn silk decoction on lipid profiles in patients with angina pectoris. Pooled results suggested corn silk decoction may improve HDL cholesterol while reducing total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol. The authors noted that poor blinding in most studies may have led to overestimation of effects.

3

Corn Silk (Stigma maydis) in Healthcare: A Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review (2012)

Hasanudin K, Hashim P, Mustafa S. Molecules, 2012, 17(8): 9697–9715.

A comprehensive review of the phytochemistry and pharmacology of corn silk, documenting its key bioactive compounds (flavonoids, polysaccharides, sterols, saponins, vitamins) and summarizing evidence for its diuretic, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. The review established a foundation for understanding corn silk's multi-target therapeutic potential.

4

Corn Silk Polysaccharides Attenuate Diabetic Nephropathy Through Restoration of the Gut Microbial Ecosystem and Metabolic Homeostasis (2023)

Dong W, Zhao Y, Li X, Huo J, Wang W. Frontiers in Endocrinology (Lausanne), 2023, 14: 1232132.

This preclinical study demonstrated that corn silk polysaccharides could attenuate diabetic nephropathy in animal models by restoring gut microbial balance and metabolic homeostasis, suggesting a mechanism involving the gut-kidney axis for corn silk's renal protective effects in diabetes.

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.