Does Sedum sarmentosum remove pulmonary nodules?
Jun 23, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ren Yi
Introduction
When lung nodules are caused by the accumulation of damp-heat in the body, which hinders the circulation of qi and blood, leading to phlegm formation and blood stasis, accompanied by symptoms such as coughing, yellow sputum, and chest tightness, the herb *Sedum sarmentosum* Bunge (Chuípén Cǎo), with its functions of clearing heat, detoxifying, and promoting diuresis, may, when combined with other Chinese herbs that resolve phlegm, dissipate nodules, and remove blood stasis, help improve the damp-heat condition in the lungs, assist in reducing local inflammation, and thereby potentially delay the progression of such lung nodules.
Sedum sarmentosum may only have an auxiliary effect when pulmonary nodules are caused by damp-heat phlegm stasis, and in most other cases or etiologies, it is unlikely to eliminate pulmonary nodules. If abnormalities occur, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:
When pulmonary nodules are caused by internal accumulation of damp-heat that hinders qi and blood circulation, leading to phlegm and blood stasis formation, accompanied by symptoms such as coughing and yellow phlegm production, chest tightness, etc., Sedum sarmentosum's heat-clearing, detoxifying, and dampness-resolving effects, when combined with other phlegm-resolving and blood-activating herbs, may improve the damp-heat environment in the lungs, assist in alleviating local inflammation, and thereby delay the progression of such pulmonary nodules to a certain extent, but cannot directly cause the nodules to dissipate.
If pulmonary nodules are caused by lung infection, tumors, pulmonary fibrosis, or other reasons, Sedum sarmentosum cannot effectively address the underlying causes. For example, tumorous pulmonary nodules require treatments such as surgery or radiochemotherapy, while infection-induced nodules need anti-infective treatment. Sedum sarmentosum cannot replace these treatment methods. Relying solely on it not only fails to eliminate the nodules but may also delay the condition, leading to nodule progression or other serious consequences.
After discovering pulmonary nodules, one should not blindly rely on Sedum sarmentosum for treatment. Timely hospital visits for comprehensive examinations to determine the underlying cause are recommended, followed by a standardized treatment plan under the guidance of a qualified physician. If using Sedum sarmentosum as an adjunctive therapy, it must be done under the guidance of a TCM practitioner based on syndrome differentiation, with regular follow-up examinations to monitor changes in the nodules.
