Evidence supporting the use of: Storax
For the health condition: Infection
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Storax (Styrax benzoin), a resin obtained from trees of the Styrax genus, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in the Middle East and Asia. It has been included in topical preparations, incense, and balms for its aromatic and presumed antiseptic properties. Historically, storax was applied to wounds, ulcers, and skin infections, largely due to its pleasant scent and sticky consistency, which were believed to help "draw out" impurities or protect against infection. Some traditional texts and pharmacopeias mention its use as an ingredient in plasters and ointments for these purposes.
Modern scientific evidence for storax's antimicrobial efficacy is limited. Some laboratory studies have identified minor antibacterial and antifungal activities in extracts and essential oils derived from Styrax species, but these findings are typically in vitro and have not yet been translated into clinical practice or robustly evaluated in human trials. Furthermore, the concentrations required to achieve these effects in laboratory settings are often higher than those used traditionally. As a result, the use of storax for infections is primarily justified by tradition and historical precedent, rather than by high-quality scientific validation.
In summary, storax's use for infection is rooted in traditional medicine, with limited low-level scientific evidence to suggest possible antimicrobial properties, but no strong or direct clinical validation.
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allspice
alpha-pinene
green chiretta
annatto
arabinogalactan
astragalus
bacillus clausii
bayberry
bearberry
myrobalan
Beta-Glucan
betel
bifidobacterium infantis
bisabolol
black pepper
black walnut
burdock
caprylic acid
cassia bark
cat's claw
chaga mushroom
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
cuspidatum root
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ginger
goldenseal
heartwood
immunoglobin G
Indian gum arabic tree
iodine
L12-myoviridae
lactobacillus brevis
lactococcus lactis
lactoferrin
lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
LH01-myoviridae
licorice root
LL12-myoviridae
LL5-siphoviridae
mangosteen
monolaurin
moringa
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
oregon grape
protein
purified silver
reishi mushroom
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
selenium
spirulina
streptococcus thermophilus
sweet wormwood
T4D-myoviridae
turkey tail mushroom
vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
wasabia japonica
zinc
sarsaparilla
yellow root
boneset
hyssop
cardamom
neem tree
malabar nut
hedychium spicatum
pistacia integerrima gall
paederia foetida
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
rubia cordifolia
swertia
bee pollen
chaff flower
pau d'arco
prickly ash
myrrh
yerba santa
amber
flowering quince
fern
oriental arborvitae
birch
eucalyptus
polyporus
white oak
sea salt
3-Phenyllactic Acid
Avens
Agarikon Mushroom
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Aquilegia viridiflora
Alpha-Humulene
Alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Angelica
acacia
Agave
Allicin
Anamu
Abrus
Alchornea
Asarum heterotropoides
Artesunate
AHCC
Aucubin
Andrographolide
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Aureobasidium pullulans
Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
Ampelopsis
Allyl Sulfide
Acemannan
Alkylglycerols
Alliin
Abuta
Alstonia macrophylla
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Animal protein
Bee Propolis
Bifidobacterium
Babchi
Baphicacanthus cusia
Blackthorn
Blepharis
Balsam
Beef liver
Baccharis dracunculifolia
Barleria
Berberis (unspecified)
Bisabolene
Basidiomycota
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Backhousia citriodora
Banyan
Barbary matrimony vine
Black Nightshade
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bitter principals
Bacteria
Black root
Bupleurum
Bacillus
benzyl isothiocyanate
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Bignay
Croton seeds
Chervil
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Colloidal Silver
coconut oil
Coriolus mushroom
Cactus
Carvacrol
Cymbidium goeringii
Cajuput
Chlorophytum
Catechu
Celandine
Citral
Centipeda
Cistus
Corktree
Cubeb
Cinchona
Chirata
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Coin-leaf desmodium
Cyanthillium cinereum
Cynodon dactylon
Cassava
Chiococca alba
Cocklebur
Celastrus
Copaiba Oil
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Dense Fruit Dittany
Dialyzable Leukocyte Extract
Deoxyandrographolides
Dichrostachys glomerata
European Elder
English Horsemint
Echinacea
Echinodorus
Elephant's Head
Euphorbia
Embelia
Eugenol
Glucanase
Milk Protein
Sandalwood
Sumac
Other health conditions supported by Storax
Abdominal PainAnxiety
Asthma
Bites and Stings
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cuts
Dermatitis
Ear Infection or Earache
Eye Infections
Fungal Infections
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Inflammation
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Itching Ears
Pain (general remedies for)
Rashes and Hives
Scratches and Abrasions
Skin (infections)
Staph Infections
Ulcerations (external)
Wounds and Sores