Evidence supporting the use of: Baphicacanthus cusia
For the health condition: Dermatitis
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Baphicacanthus cusia, also known as Strobilanthes cusia or “Qing Dai” in traditional Chinese medicine, has a long history of use for various inflammatory skin conditions, including dermatitis. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Qing Dai is often prescribed either topically or orally to manage symptoms of eczema, psoriasis, and other dermatitis presentations. Its purported mechanisms of action in TCM involve “clearing heat” and “detoxifying,” which conceptually align with the reduction of inflammation and irritation seen in dermatitis.
Scientific studies investigating Baphicacanthus cusia for dermatitis are limited. Some in vitro and animal studies indicate that extracts of Qing Dai may have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, and the indigo naturalis component (derived from the same plant) has been studied more extensively, showing some efficacy in small clinical studies for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. However, high-quality, large-scale clinical trials specifically focusing on Baphicacanthus cusia itself are lacking. Thus, although its traditional use is well-documented and there are plausible bioactive compounds, robust scientific validation is currently insufficient.
In summary, Baphicacanthus cusia’s use for dermatitis is primarily justified by tradition, with a moderate amount of preliminary scientific evidence (mostly indirect or from related compounds) supporting its potential benefit.
Other ingredients used for Dermatitis
Aloe veraalpha-pinene
beeswax
beta caryophyllene
bisabolol
black currant
black walnut
burdock
Cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
coating
turmeric
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
gotu kola
green tea
hemp oil
hyaluronic acid
Lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
oregon grape
phenolic compounds
plantain
pomegranate
purified silver
quercetin
resveratrol
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
rosemary
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Sphaeranthus indicus
vitamin A
vitamin D
vitamin E
Zinc
chickweed
xanthium (cockleburs)
Mugwort
Neem tree
commiphora
siler root
oriental arborvitae
birch
polyphenols
fulvic acid
eucalyptus
Menthol oil
melaleuca alternifolia
geranium
avens
alpha-terpineol
azelaic acid
Ardisia
anamu
Allantoin
Asteraceae
argan nut oil
bee propolis
babchi
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
bishop\'s weed
Boswellic Acid
Butea monosperma
Barleria
bisabolene
bee products
Bombax
Bassia scoparia
coconut
Centella triterpenes
caryophyllene
Calendula
chlorophyllin
coconut oil
colloid
carvacrol
Curcuminoid
Chinese raisintree
curcumen
Centella asiatica
Centipeda
Curcuma
cannabidiol
Carthamus
copaiba oil
cannabigerol
chrysophanics
Dianthus
Epidermal Growth Factor
Eclipta
emu oil
Euphorbia
ethyl linoleate
flavonoids
fang-feng
fatty acids
Ficus simplicissima
fibroblast growth factor
gallic acid
Gnaphalium
glyceryl monolaurate
Growth factors
Glechoma hederacea
gallotannin
Glycyrrhetinic acid
heal-all
Hydrocolloid
henna
Himalaya berry
hemp
iridoid glycosides
Indian fagonia
jojoba oil
Kokilaksha
Litsea
lichen
Laggera pterodonta
linseed oil
Lantana camara
Leptospermum scoparium
Labdanum
mallow
Melia
Malva sylvestris
mangostin
Mahonia
Milkweed
Marine colloids
marigold
Marking Nut Tree
Macaranga indica
Nigella seed
Oxystelma
Propolis
Phyllanthus
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Paris polyphylla
Pansit-pansitan
Panthenol
Patrinia
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Peptides
rue
rosmarinic acid
reed herb
Squalene
Sichuan Lovage
Sicklepod
Sophora
Sesbania
Solanaceae
Shark Liver Oil
Self-Heal
Sweet Annie
Salvia
Sensitive Plant
Southern Tsangshu
Silk protein
Sandalwood
Sulfur
Storax
Terpenoids
Thymoquinone
Terpinen-4-ol
Thymus
Thymol
Tea Tree Oil
Violet
Wrightia tinctoria
Witch Hazel
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by Baphicacanthus cusia
AbscessesAcne
Adenitis
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Asthma
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Chicken Pox
Chills
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Cuts
Dandruff
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Eczema
Emphysema
Eye Infections
Eyes (red or itching)
Fever
Fungal Infections
Gangrene
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Herpes
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Insect Repellant
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Laryngitis
Psoriasis
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Skin (infections)
Sore Throat
Staph Infections
Strep Throat
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Wounds and Sores