Evidence supporting the use of: Smartweed
For the health condition: Chills

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Synopsis

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

Smartweed (Polygonum pensylvanicum and related species) has a history of use in traditional herbal medicine among Native American and early European settlers in North America. It was sometimes used in folk remedies for treating symptoms associated with chills, colds, or fevers. The rationale behind its use for chills was often linked to its perceived diaphoretic (sweat-inducing) properties, under the belief that promoting sweating could help "break" a chill or fever. Ethnobotanical records, such as those compiled by the USDA and other herbal reference works, note its inclusion in various traditional preparations for fevers and chills. However, these accounts are anecdotal and rooted in traditional practice rather than controlled scientific assessment.

There is little to no modern clinical research validating the effectiveness of Smartweed for chills. Phytochemical studies do show that Smartweed contains compounds such as flavonoids and tannins, but these have not been specifically tested for antipyretic or diaphoretic activity in humans. Thus, while its use for chills is documented in traditional medicine, there is minimal empirical evidence to support or refute its efficacy for this purpose.

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