Evidence supporting the use of: Alchornea floribunda
For the health condition: Parasites (tapeworm)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Alchornea floribunda, commonly known as the "Christmas bush," is used in traditional African medicine for a variety of purposes, including as a remedy for intestinal parasites such as tapeworms. Ethnobotanical records from West and Central Africa indicate that root or bark decoctions are administered to expel worms and other intestinal parasites. The use of A. floribunda for this purpose is well-documented in local traditional medicine texts and surveys (Burkill, 1994; Iwu, 1993).

However, scientific validation of this use is limited. Some preliminary phytochemical studies have identified alkaloids, saponins, and tannins in the plant, which may exhibit anthelmintic (anti-parasitic) effects in general, but there are few, if any, in vitro or in vivo studies specifically examining its efficacy against tapeworms (Onyegbule et al., 2012). Available research tends to focus on its antimicrobial or other pharmacological properties. Consequently, while the traditional use for treating tapeworms is established, robust scientific evidence to support or refute this application is lacking.

In summary, the use of Alchornea floribunda for tapeworms is justified primarily by traditional knowledge, with some indirect support from its phytochemical constituents, but there is little direct scientific evidence to rate its efficacy highly.

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