Evidence supporting the use of: Praying mantis
For the health condition: Edema
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Praying mantis (often referred to as Tenodera sinensis or by the traditional Chinese medicine ingredient name "Sang Piao Xiao") has been documented in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for centuries. Its primary uses in TCM involve treatments for urinary disorders, such as enuresis (involuntary urination), frequent urination, and nocturnal emissions. There is some mention in TCM texts of using praying mantis egg cases to "remove dampness," a concept in TCM that sometimes overlaps with the Western notion of edema (fluid retention). However, this association is indirect: the TCM concept of "dampness" does not precisely correspond to edema as understood in modern medicine.
There is little to no scientific evidence validating the use of praying mantis or its derivatives specifically for the treatment of edema. Modern pharmacological studies have focused on other potential bioactivities of praying mantis extracts, but none provide clinical or preclinical data supporting efficacy for edema. Thus, the justification for using praying mantis in the context of edema is rooted in traditional beliefs and practices, rather than scientific validation.
In summary, the support for the use of praying mantis in treating edema is based on traditional Chinese medicine references relating to "dampness," and there is limited evidence even within the traditional literature for its application to edema specifically. Scientific evidence is lacking, and the evidence level is rated as very low.
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