Evidence supporting the use of: Spanish Needle
For the health condition: Edema
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Spanish Needle (Bidens pilosa) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, where it is employed for a wide variety of ailments. In some ethnobotanical reports, Bidens pilosa is used as a diuretic and for the management of edema (fluid retention). The rationale in traditional medicine often ties to its perceived ability to "cleanse" the body or promote urination, which aligns with general folk approaches to treating fluid accumulation. Some phytochemical studies have identified flavonoids, polyacetylenes, and other compounds in Spanish Needle that could, in theory, influence fluid balance, but most of these studies have focused on antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, or antidiabetic activities rather than specific effects on edema.
There is a lack of robust scientific validation or clinical trials supporting the use of Bidens pilosa specifically for edema. Most references to its use for this purpose are anecdotal or based on surveys of traditional healers. Some animal studies have suggested possible diuretic effects, but these are limited, preliminary, and do not establish efficacy or safety for treating edema in humans. Therefore, while Spanish Needle is used traditionally for edema in some cultures, this use is not currently supported by strong scientific evidence.
Other ingredients used for Edema
anthocyaninsapricot
arjun tree
asparagus
waterhyssop
bamboo
bearberry
bilberry
Indian frankincense
bromelain
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
butcher's broom
bасора
cabbage leaf
celery
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
citrus bioflavonoids
cucumber
turmeric
dandelion
fish protein
flavonols
forsythia
fu ling
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
onion
hawthorn
hesperidin
horse chestnut
horsetail
Japanese sophora
jujube
lemon
lophatherum leaf
lovage
mannitol
moringa
mustard seed
nettle
papain
parsley
pear
pine bark
pineapple
potassium
protease
pumpkin
quercetin
rutin
scrophularia root
serratiopeptidase
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
triphala
trypsin
seaweed
watermelon
sarsaparilla
yellow root
tangerine
xanthium (cockleburs)
atractylodes
Indian bael
nut grass
alpinia galangal
punarnava
commiphora
rubia cordifolia
swertia
lingusticum wallichii
goldenrod
prickly ash
lemongrass
silk tree
juniper berries
solomon's seal
siler root
amber
dioscorea
dodder
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
morinda
cornsilk
buchu
birch
couch grass
sheep's sorrel
queen of the meadow
hydrangea
purslane
gentiana macrophylla
cleavers
shepherd's purse
peach
white oak
enzymes blend (proprietary)
Aralia
akebia
Ardisia
Angelica
Agrimony
Achyranthes
Abrus
Albizia
Ajuga
Albumin
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Aescin
Adzuki bean
Actaea spicata
Agrimonia pilosa
Arjunic Acid
Alisma
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
Atractylone
Betony
Baikal Skullcap
Blue Flag
Baliospermum
Blackthorn
Blepharis
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Big Quaking Grass
Bitter Grass
berry
Bogbean
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Bioflavonoids
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Borage
banana
Bupleurum
Baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Black Hellebore
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Casearia esculenta
Chinese Mountain Ant
Calotropis gigantea
Chervil
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cucurbita
Coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cactus
Cynomorium
Cinquefoil
Cyathula
Chlorophytum
Curcumen
Centella asiatica
Chanca Piedra
Corktree
Cabbage
Cowslip
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Chestnut
Cynodon dactylon
Collinsonia
Carthamus
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Diosmin
Danshen
Deer Root
Dipsacus
Erythropalum scandens
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Empresstree
Echinodorus
Enzyme Blend
European-Five Finger Grass
Escin
Flavonoids
Flavonones
Little ironweed
Rhubarb
Sumac
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Spanish Needle
Abdominal PainAbrasions
Abscesses
Afterbirth Pain
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Asthma
Backache
Bites and Stings
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Canker Sores
Cuts
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Edema
Eye Infections
Fatigue
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Indigestion
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Inflammation
Injuries
Itching
Kidney Infection
Labor and Delivery
Laryngitis
Lice