Evidence supporting the use of: Blue flag
For the health condition: Nervous Exhaustion

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Synopsis

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

Blue Flag (Iris versicolor) has a history of traditional use in North American herbal medicine, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was included in the Eclectic medicine movement’s materia medica, where it was sometimes recommended as a remedy for "nervous exhaustion," a term historically used to describe symptoms similar to what we now call chronic fatigue or stress-induced weakness. The Eclectics believed Blue Flag had a "tonic" effect on the nervous system, though this was based on empirical use rather than controlled studies.

However, there is little to no scientific evidence validating these uses. Modern pharmacological research on Blue Flag has focused mainly on its saponins, iridin, and other constituents for their potential purgative and detoxifying effects, not on neurological benefits. No clinical trials or robust scientific reviews support its effectiveness for nervous exhaustion. Current herbal references may still list this traditional use, but they generally note the lack of evidence and caution against its use due to potential toxicity.

In summary, the use of Blue Flag for nervous exhaustion is justified by historical tradition rather than scientific validation, and the quality of evidence is very weak.

More about blue flag
More about Nervous Exhaustion

Products containing blue flag

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