Evidence supporting the use of: Spanish Needle
For the health condition: Gas and Bloating
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Spanish Needle (Bidens pilosa) has a long history of traditional use in various cultures, particularly in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, for treating digestive complaints such as gas and bloating. Traditional healers often prepare infusions or decoctions of the aerial parts of the plant to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort. The rationale in folk medicine is based on the plant's reputed carminative and anti-inflammatory properties, which are believed to help expel gas and soothe the digestive tract.
However, while Bidens pilosa has been studied for a variety of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic effects, there is minimal direct scientific investigation into its efficacy specifically for gas and bloating. Most available data are either anecdotal or derived from broader studies on digestive health, where some mild spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory effects have been noted in vitro and in animal studies. No high-quality clinical trials have evaluated its effectiveness for flatulence or bloating in humans.
In summary, the use of Spanish Needle for gas and bloating is primarily justified by traditional knowledge, with limited scientific evidence to substantiate these claims. The evidence level is therefore rated at 2 out of 5, reflecting some supportive traditional use but a lack of robust scientific validation.
Other ingredients used for Gas and Bloating
AcaciaActinidin
Activated charcoal
Aerva lanata
Agastache
Agrimonia pilosa
Agrimony
Ajuga
Akebia
Alginic acid
Allspice
alpha-galactosidase
alpinia galangal
American Liverleaf
Amomum
amylase
anamu
Angelica
Angostura
anise
antifoam agent
apple
apple cider vinegar
arrowroot
artichoke
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
atractylodes
bacillus coagulans
bacteria
bael
banana
basil
bayleaf
Belamcanda
belleric myrobalan
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bentonite
Bergenia
beta-pinene
bicarbonate
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bile salt
birch
bitter grass
bitter principals
black nightshade
black pepper
black salt
blackthorn
blue flag
boldo
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borneol
bottle gourd
bran
Buddha\'s hand
Butea monosperma
buttermilk
butyric acid
bасора
Caesalpinia crista
cajuput
calamus
camphor oil
Campylandra fimbriata
capers
capsicum
caraway
cardamom
Carlina
carob
carqueja
carry me seed
carvone
cascara sagrada
castor oil
cayenne pepper
cellulase
Centaurium erythraea
centaury
Centipeda
cha de bugre
chamomile
chanca piedra
chen pi
Chenopodium
chervil
Chinese silkvine
chirata
Chlorophytum
Cinnamomum
cinnamon
Clerodendrum indicum
coca
coconut milk
coconut oil
cola nut
colocynth
colombo
commiphora
coriander
cosmos
costus
cubeb
cucumber
cumin
Cyathula
Cymbopogon martini
dandelion
Dianthus
Dichrostachys glomerata
dill
dimethylpolysiloxane
dogwood
Dolichos
dragonhead
elecampane
Embelia
English horsemint
enzyme blend
enzymes blend (proprietary)
Erodium cicutarium
Eupatorium
false calumba
fennel
fenugreek
fern
fernbush
ferula assafoetida
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
fleabane
flowering quince
Fomes fomentarius
four-leaved grass
Frangula
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
Fumaria parviflora
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
Galangal
Gardenia jasminoides
garlic
genipap
gentian
gentian root
Gentiana calycosa
Gentianella alborosea
geranium
ginger
Glechoma hederacea
Glucofrangulin
Gnaphalium
goldenrod
grains of paradise
Greek mountain tea
green banana
Guazuma ulmifolia
Heartsease
Hedychium spicatum
Helicteres isora
Hemicellulase
Homalomena
horehound
Horsemint
horseradish
hyssop
Indian bael
inula racemosa
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Jalap
Javanese Long Pepper
Jicama
karaya gum
Kefir
Khella
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus plantarum
Laggera pterodonta
Large-leaf gentian
lemon
lemon balm
licorice root
Lilium polyphyllum
lime
linalool
lipase
Litsea
lodhtree
Lophira lanceolata
lovage
luffa
Lycopodium
Lysimachia
mace
marigold
Mastic gum
Meadowsweet
Mentha haplocalyx
Menthol oil
Mesquite
Microbial enzymes (proprietary)
Mint
Morinda
Morning glory
Mountain mahogany
Mountain Pepper
Mustard
Myrcene
Nardostachys
Natsudaidai
Neem tree
Neral
okra
Operculina turpethum
oregano
Orris
Oryza sativa
Osha
Ovate Buchu
Palo Azul
pancreatin
parsley
Parsnip
paw paw
pear
Pediococcus pentosaceus
Peppermint
Peucedanum
Phragmites
Pimpinella
pineapple
Piper chaba
Piper retrofractum
polyphenols
Portulaca
potash
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
prepared aconite tuber
prickly ash
Prickly Pear Cactus
probiotics
Prunus
Psacalium peltatum
psyllium
quassia
queen of the meadow
quince
raspberry
Rhamnus nakaharai
rhubarb
rhubarb root
Rhus coriaria
rockweed
rose
rue
sage
Sagebrush
Sassafras
Savory
schizonepeta
Scirpus
Sedanenolide
Semiaquilegia
Servicetree
Sete sangrias
Shen Qu
Sichuan pepper
Sida cordifolia
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Snakeroot
Southern Tsangshu
Southernwood
Spanish Needle
spearmint leaf
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Stone Root
Sweet Annie
Sweet Bay
sweet flag
Sword Bean
Taka amylase
Tamaricaceae
Tamarind
Tansy
Taraxacin
Taraxol
Tarragon
Teri Pod
Thuja
Tiger Nut
Traveler's Joy
Trichosanthes
Triphala
Tulbaghia
turmeric
Verbena
Viburnum
Vidanga
Violet
Wasabi
Water Pepper
Wax Gourd
Weak Jumby Pepper
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Wintergreen
Wood betony
Wulinshen
Xylanase
Yacon
Yarrow
Yellow Nut Sedge
Yerba buena
zanthoxylum
Zingerone
Zingiberene
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
