Evidence supporting the use of: American Dogwood
For the health condition: Dysentery

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Synopsis

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

American Dogwood (Cornus florida) has a history of use in North American traditional medicine, particularly among Native American groups and early European settlers. One of its folk uses includes the treatment of dysentery and related gastrointestinal complaints. The bark of the tree was typically prepared as a decoction or infusion and consumed to help alleviate symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal discomfort. Historical herbal texts from the 18th and 19th centuries, such as King's American Dispensatory and accounts by early physicians, reference the use of American Dogwood bark for "intermittent fevers" and as an astringent, which could, in theory, provide relief in cases of dysentery by reducing intestinal inflammation and fluid loss.

However, there is minimal clinical or pharmacological research validating its efficacy for dysentery. The traditional use is likely due to the plant’s reported astringent properties, attributed to tannins and other compounds in the bark. Modern phytochemical studies are limited, and there are no well-documented human trials or robust scientific evidence supporting the bark’s use for dysentery. Therefore, the rationale for using American Dogwood in this context is based almost entirely on historical and ethnobotanical reports, rather than on scientific validation.

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