Evidence supporting the use of: Hound's Tongue
For the health condition: Bites and Stings

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Hound's Tongue (Cynoglossum officinale) has a history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Europe and North America, where it was sometimes applied topically to treat bites, stings, and minor wounds. The plant was historically used as a poultice or salve, with early herbal texts mentioning its application for skin irritations, insect bites, and even snake bites. The rationale behind its use was partly due to its perceived soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, although these effects were based on anecdotal evidence and tradition rather than rigorous scientific investigation.

To date, there is very limited to no scientific research validating the efficacy or safety of Hound's Tongue for the treatment of bites and stings. Furthermore, the plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are known to be hepatotoxic and potentially carcinogenic, raising concerns about its safety, especially with prolonged or internal use. Modern herbal references rarely recommend Hound's Tongue for this purpose due to these safety concerns and the lack of scientific support. In summary, the use of Hound's Tongue for bites and stings is justified primarily by traditional practices, not by modern scientific evidence, and the overall quality of evidence is weak.

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