Evidence supporting the use of: Alkanna
For the health condition: Abscesses
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Alkanna, also known as Alkanna tinctoria or alkanet, has been traditionally used in folk medicine for a variety of skin conditions, including abscesses. The roots of Alkanna contain naphthoquinone derivatives such as alkannin, which are responsible for its characteristic red pigment. Historically, topical preparations containing Alkanna root have been applied to abscesses, wounds, and ulcers in regions such as the Middle East, South Asia, and the Mediterranean. These uses are mainly based on empirical knowledge and longstanding herbal practices rather than rigorous scientific studies.
In traditional medicine, Alkanna is valued for its purported anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties. However, the evidence supporting its efficacy in treating abscesses is limited primarily to anecdotal reports and historical texts. Some in vitro studies have shown that alkannin and related compounds possess antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity, which might provide a partial rationale for its use, but these findings have not been translated into robust clinical evidence in humans. There are no high-quality clinical trials demonstrating clear benefits in abscess treatment. Therefore, while Alkanna has a long history of traditional use for abscesses, scientific validation is lacking, and its efficacy remains unproven by modern standards.
Other ingredients used for Abscesses
AbrusAbuta
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Alchornea
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Alkanna
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Aloe vera
Alstonia scholaris
amber
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
Ampelopsis
anamu
Andrographis
Antirrhinum majus
Aquilegia formosa
Aquilegia viridiflora
Ardisia
Arisaema
arnica
Asclepias cordifolia
ash
assam indigo
Asteraceae
aucubin
bai ji
balsam
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
Bassia scoparia
bayberry
bee products
bee propolis
bentonite
berberine
bergamot
Bidens pilosa
bindweed
black nightshade
black root
black walnut
black-eyed Susan
blackboard tree
Bletilla
bloodroot
Boerhavia diffusa
Bombax
borassus palm
boxthorne
boxwood
Brazilian peppertree
bromelain
bur-reed
burdock
Butea monosperma
Calendula
California pitcher plant
Calotropis gigantea
capillary artemisia
carrapichinho
Casearia sylvestris
castor oil
catlaw buttercup
Ceanothus integerrimus
Cedrus libani
celandine
Centipeda
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
Chiococca alba
chrysophanics
cinquefoil
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cocklebur
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colloidal silver
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curcumin
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divi-divi
dragon\'s blood
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echinacea purpurea
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gallotannin
garlic
garlic bulb
genipap
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ginger
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golden shower tree
goldenseal
green tea
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heal-all
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henna
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Isatis
Jessica\'s sticktight
Kachnar
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Kamala
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lac resin
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Laggera pterodonta
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lavender
Lebbek
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licorice root
little ironweed
lodhtree
Lophira lanceolata
luffa
Macaranga indica
magnesium
Mahonia
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Malva sylvestris
marigold
Marking Nut Tree
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Matico
melaleuca alternifolia
Microcos
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oregano
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plantain
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Pokeweed
privet
Propolis
protein
punarnava
purple Tephrosia
red alder
red root
red spiderling
resin
Rhus glabra
Rubia yunnanensis
Sandy Everlasting
Sangre de Grado
Sanguisorba
Sanicle
Sarcandra glabra
Sargentodoxa
scrophularia root
Self-Heal
Serrapeptase
Sesbania
sheep's sorrel
shen-chu
Shikonin
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sicklepod
siler root
Simaruba
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Smartweed
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xanthium (cockleburs)
Yerba Mansa
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