Evidence supporting the use of: Bromelain
For the health condition: Abscesses
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Bromelain, an enzyme complex derived from the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus), has been studied primarily for its anti-inflammatory and proteolytic properties. There is some scientific evidence suggesting that bromelain may be beneficial in the management of abscesses, particularly in terms of reducing inflammation, edema, and promoting wound healing. Several small clinical studies and case reports have indicated that topical or oral bromelain may help accelerate the resolution of soft tissue abscesses and infected wounds by facilitating the breakdown of necrotic tissue and reducing local inflammation. For example, a handful of studies from the late 20th century report the use of bromelain as an adjunct to conventional treatment (such as drainage and antibiotics) in patients with abscesses, showing quicker reduction in swelling and improved healing times. The proposed mechanisms include the enzyme's ability to degrade fibrin, modulate cytokine production, and enhance antibiotic penetration into tissues. However, high-quality, large-scale randomized controlled trials are lacking, and most of the available evidence is limited in size and rigor. While bromelain is not a replacement for standard abscess management (i.e., drainage and antibiotics), its use as a complementary therapy is supported by a modest body of evidence, mainly for its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects. Overall, while there is some scientific validation, the evidence base remains limited, and more robust studies are required to establish its efficacy and safety for treating abscesses.
Other ingredients used for Abscesses
Activated charcoalAloe vera
bayberry
berberine
bergamot
black walnut
bromelain
burdock
chamomile
cowage seed
turmeric
curcumin
echinacea purpurea
garlic bulb
ginger
goldenseal
green tea
lavender
licorice root
magnesium
oregano
plantain
protein
scrophularia root
Trypsin
vitamin C
bentonite
xanthium (cockleburs)
papaya
shen-chu
nut grass
Clerodendrum indicum
punarnava
paederia foetida
blackboard tree
privet
boxthorne
pau d'arco
Myrrh
siler root
amber
Trichosanthes
sheep's sorrel
assam indigo
eucalyptus
Stillingia
paw paw
White oak
melaleuca alternifolia
indigo leaves
geranium
arnica
red root
ash
Asclepias cordifolia
Aquilegia viridiflora
Ardisia
Acacia
Agave
Allicin
Antirrhinum majus
Achyranthes
anamu
Abrus
Alchornea
aucubin
American Liverleaf
Aquilegia formosa
Andrographis
Alkanet
Alstonia scholaris
Ampelopsis
Asteraceae
Abuta
Alkanna
Amor seco
Arisaema
bee propolis
bai ji
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
black-eyed Susan
balsam
Butea monosperma
Barleria
Brazilian peppertree
bloodroot
bindweed
banyan
Bletilla
boxwood
bur-reed
bee products
back nightshade
Bombax
borassus palm
black root
Bassia scoparia
Boerhavia diffusa
coconut
Calendula
croton seeds
Calotropis gigantea
colloidal silver
capillary artemisia
cinquefoil
Cymbidium goeringii
Chinese raisintree
cowherb
Cynoglossum grande
celandine
California pitcher plant
Centipeda
carrapichinho
Cedrus libani
Ceanothus integerrimus
Cynodon dactylon
Chiococca alba
cocklebur
castor oil
copaiba oil
Cynanchum
Clerodendrum indicum
Casearia sylvestris
catlaw buttercup
chrysophanics
Didymocarpus
divi-divi
dragon\'s blood
Davilla rugosa
European Elder
Erigeron
elephant vine
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Erodium cicutarium
Echinacea
elephant\'s head
Euphorbia
European five-finger grass
Flueggea suffruticosa
figwort
Fomes fomentarius
Ficus simplicissima
genipap
Gnaphalium
Gumweed
garlic
giant blazingstar
gallotannin
Gugambilla
golden shower tree
Guazuma ulmifolia
honey
heal-all
Hedyotis
Hellebore
Houttuynia
hound\'s tongue
Helicteres isora
henna
Herb Robert
Hyaluronidase
Huang hua
Isatis
Immortelle
Indian fagonia
Jessica\'s sticktight
Kigelia africana
Kachnar
Kokilaksha
Kamala
Kalanchoe pinnatum
lacquertree
Lebbek
Lesser speargrass
Levant cotton
Laggera pterodonta
Lophira lanceolata
luffa
lodhtree
lac resin
Lantana camara
little ironweed
Lewis's monkey flower
mallow
Malva sylvestris
Matico
Matapalo Tree
Mahonia
Milkweed
Morning glory
marigold
Marking Nut Tree
Microcos
Macaranga indica
Naphthoquinones
Nasturtium
Nimbidin
Oak
Oldenlandia diffusa
Oxystelma
Propolis
purple Tephrosia
Plantago
Pluchea
Pink Root
Pellitory
Paris polyphylla
Peucedanum
Pentatropis capensis
Plumbago zeylanica
Patrinia
Physalis angulata
Pokeweed
Petiveria
Plectranthus amboinicus
red alder
resin
red spiderling
Rubia yunnanensis
Rhus glabra
Sanicle
Spilanthes
Sicklepod
Sesbania
Sargentodoxa
Speedwell
Spanish Needle
Sausage Tree
Smartweed
Shikonin
Self-Heal
Smooth Alder
Serrapeptase
Sangre de Grado
Solanum indicum
Sanguisorba
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sarcandra glabra
Stellaria dichotoma
Stereospermum
Simaruba
Skunkvine
Sandy Everlasting
Smoketree
Thymoquinone
Tannins
Thymus
Thuja
Tree of heaven
Thymol
Tayuya
Tulbaghia
Tea Tree Oil
Tagetes
Violet
Viola
Whiteweed
Witch Hazel
Waltheria ovata
Yerba Mansa
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by bromelain
Abdominal PainAbscesses
Allergies (respiratory)
Arthritis
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cartilage Damage
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Circulation (poor)
Colitis
Cuts
Edema
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Inflammation
Injuries
Pain (general remedies for)
Protein Digestion (poor)
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Sinus Infection
Sprains
Surgery (healing from)
Tendonitis
Wounds and Sores
Products containing bromelain
Pure Encapsulations
A.C. Formula II
Pure Encapsulations
A.I. Enzymes
Pure Encapsulations
AI Formula
Designs For Health
AllerGzyme™
Integrative Therapeutics
Bio-Zyme
Pure Encapsulations
Bromelain 2400 500 mg
Pure Encapsulations
Bromelain 2400 500 mg
Douglas Laboratories
Bromelain 500 mg
Douglas Laboratories
Cysto Renew ®
Integrative Therapeutics
EHB
Douglas Laboratories
Glucosamine + MSM Forte ™
Douglas Laboratories
Glucosamine Plus ™
Pure Encapsulations
Hist Reset
Designs For Health
HistaEze™
Thorne
Joint Support Nutrients AR-Encap
Vitabase
Life's Essentials Plus
Designs For Health
Pancreatic Enzymes Plus
Designs For Health
Pulmonary Revive™
Vitabase
Quercetin Plus
Douglas Laboratories
Quercetin-Bromelain Complex
Thorne
Quercetin Complex Quercenase
Metagenics
Sinuplex®
Vitabase
Super Fat Burner
Vitabase
SuperZymes
Pure Encapsulations
Systemic Enzyme Complex
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive
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Ultra Preventive ®-EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive® X
Vitabase
Ultra Veggie Enzymes
Pure Encapsulations
Uric Acid Formula
Thorne
Whey Protein Isolate Chocolate NSF
Thorne
Whey Protein Isolate Vanilla NSF
Douglas Laboratories
Wobenzym ® N
Douglas Laboratories
Wobenzym ® N
Douglas Laboratories
Wobenzym ® N
Douglas Laboratories
Wobenzym ® Plus
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Wobenzym ® Plus
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Wobenzym ® Plus
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Wobenzym ® PS
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Wobenzym ® PS