Anamu (Petiveria alliacea) has a traditional history of use in folk medicine across Latin America and the Caribbean, often for its purported antimicrobial properties. In recent years, a number of laboratory studies have investigated the antibacterial and antifungal effects of Anamu extracts. In vitro research has demonstrated that Anamu contains compounds such as dibenzyl trisulfide, which exhibit activity against a variety of bacterial strains, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida species. These findings suggest that Anamu possesses some antimicrobial properties, potentially supporting its use as an alternative or adjunct to conventional antibiotics.

However, the available evidence is limited to preclinical studies—mainly in vitro and a few animal models. There are no well-conducted clinical trials in humans demonstrating that Anamu is effective or safe as an alternative to antibiotics for treating infections. While its traditional use and initial scientific findings are promising, more rigorous research, including randomized controlled trials, is needed to determine its efficacy, safety, dosing, and mechanism of action in humans. Thus, although Anamu is being explored as a potential antibiotic alternative, the current scientific evidence is preliminary and insufficient to recommend its clinical use as a substitute for antibiotics.