Evidence supporting the use of: Red alder
For the health condition: Abscesses
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Red Alder (Alnus rubra) has a history of traditional use among various Native American tribes in the Pacific Northwest for the treatment of abscesses and other skin ailments. Ethnobotanical records indicate that poultices made from the bark or leaves were applied externally to abscesses, sores, and wounds, with the belief that the plant’s properties could help draw out infection and promote healing. The inner bark, in particular, was sometimes made into a decoction or poultice for topical application.
Phytochemical studies have found that Red Alder bark contains compounds such as salicin (a precursor to salicylic acid), diarylheptanoids, and tannins, which have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and astringent properties in vitro. However, as of 2024, there are no clinical trials or robust scientific studies directly validating the effectiveness of Red Alder in the treatment of abscesses in humans. The available evidence is therefore rooted in traditional use rather than modern scientific validation.
In summary, while Red Alder has a documented role in traditional medicine for addressing abscesses, the strength of evidence supporting its efficacy is limited to ethnobotanical reports and some suggestive phytochemical findings. Rigorous clinical research is lacking, so its use should be considered with caution and not as a substitute for proven medical treatments.
Other ingredients used for Abscesses
AbrusAbuta
Acacia
Achyranthes
Activated charcoal
Agave
Alchornea
Alkanet
Alkanna
Allicin
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
Clerodendrum indicum
Clerodendrum indicum
cocklebur
coconut
colloidal silver
copaiba oil
cowage seed
cowherb
croton seeds
curcumin
Cymbidium goeringii
Cynanchum
Cynodon dactylon
Cynoglossum grande
Davilla rugosa
Didymocarpus
divi-divi
dragon\'s blood
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
elephant vine
elephant\'s head
Erigeron
Erodium cicutarium
eucalyptus
Euphorbia
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European Elder
European five-finger grass
Ficus simplicissima
figwort
Flueggea suffruticosa
Fomes fomentarius
gallotannin
garlic
garlic bulb
genipap
geranium
giant blazingstar
ginger
Gnaphalium
golden shower tree
goldenseal
green tea
Guazuma ulmifolia
Gugambilla
Gumweed
heal-all
Hedyotis
Helicteres isora
Hellebore
henna
Herb Robert
honey
hound\'s tongue
Houttuynia
Huang hua
Hyaluronidase
Immortelle
Indian fagonia
indigo leaves
Isatis
Jessica\'s sticktight
Kachnar
Kalanchoe pinnatum
Kamala
Kigelia africana
Kokilaksha
lac resin
lacquertree
Laggera pterodonta
Lantana camara
lavender
Lebbek
Lesser speargrass
Levant cotton
Lewis's monkey flower
licorice root
little ironweed
lodhtree
Lophira lanceolata
luffa
Macaranga indica
magnesium
Mahonia
mallow
Malva sylvestris
marigold
Marking Nut Tree
Matapalo Tree
Matico
melaleuca alternifolia
Microcos
Milkweed
Morning glory
Myrrh
Naphthoquinones
Nasturtium
Nimbidin
nut grass
Oak
Oldenlandia diffusa
oregano
Oxystelma
paederia foetida
papaya
Paris polyphylla
Patrinia
pau d'arco
paw paw
Pellitory
Pentatropis capensis
Petiveria
Peucedanum
Physalis angulata
Pink Root
Plantago
plantain
Plectranthus amboinicus
Pluchea
Plumbago zeylanica
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
Skunkvine
Smartweed
Smoketree
Smooth Alder
Solanum indicum
Spanish Needle
Speedwell
Spilanthes
Stellaria dichotoma
Stereospermum
Stillingia
Tagetes
Tannins
Tayuya
Tea Tree Oil
Thuja
Thymol
Thymoquinone
Thymus
Tree of heaven
Trichosanthes
Trypsin
Tulbaghia
turmeric
Viola
Violet
vitamin C
Waltheria ovata
White oak
Whiteweed
Witch Hazel
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yerba Mansa
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by red alder
AbrasionsAbscesses
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cuts
Inflammation
Injuries
Scratches and Abrasions
Wounds and Sores
