The Chinese Pharmacopoeia
(2005) records that the main functions of C. sinensis are
replenishing the kidney, soothing the lung, staunching
bleeding and dispersing phlegm. It can also be used to
treat continuous cough caused by fatigue, asthma, haemoptysis,
impotence, spermatorrhoea and aches in abdomen and
knee.[8] Previous studies mostly focused on aspects such as
the resources of C. sinensis, its active chemical components
and its pharmacological effects. Recently people have paid
more attention to protecting the resource and seeking
substitutes, and they hope to sustainably utilize this precious
medical epiphyte. This article gives a general overview of
the latest developments in C. sinensis research, with regard
to the active chemical components, the pharmacological
effects and the research and development of products in
recent years.