Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Litsea, particularly species such as Litsea cubeba, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems across Asia, especially in Chinese and Southeast Asian ethnomedicine. Traditionally, parts of the Litsea plant (fruits, leaves, and essential oils) have been used to treat infections and related symptoms such as fevers, coughs, and digestive complaints, suggesting an empiric use as an antimicrobial or antibiotic alternative. Scientific investigations have identified that Litsea essential oils and extracts possess in vitro antimicrobial activity against a variety of bacteria and fungi, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. However, these studies are largely preliminary, limited to laboratory assays, and do not necessarily translate to clinical efficacy in humans. There is a lack of robust, well-conducted clinical trials confirming Litsea’s effectiveness as an antibiotic alternative. Thus, while the traditional use is well documented and supported by some laboratory evidence, high-quality clinical validation is lacking, and Litsea should not be considered a replacement for conventional antibiotics based on current evidence.

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