Synopsis

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

Petiveria alliacea, also known as "guinea hen weed" or "anamu," has a long history of traditional use in folk medicine systems of the Caribbean, Central, and South America as a remedy for various infections, likely in an attempt to substitute or complement antibiotics before the advent of modern medicine. Healers have used decoctions or infusions of the roots and leaves for their reputed antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, while there is some in vitro evidence indicating that extracts of Petiveria alliacea possess antibacterial and antifungal activity, these findings are largely preliminary and have not translated into robust clinical evidence or widespread scientific validation. The traditional use is well-documented, but scientific studies supporting its application as a true antibiotic alternative in humans are limited in scale, quality, and consistency. Therefore, its support for this condition is grounded more in ethnobotanical tradition than in strong, modern scientific evidence. Clinical efficacy, safety, dosing, and mechanism of action remain poorly characterized in the context of replacing or supporting antibiotics in medical practice.

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