Evidence supporting the use of: European Buckthorn
For the health condition: Parasites (tapeworm)

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Synopsis

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

European Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) has a long history of traditional use as a purgative and laxative in European herbal medicine. Its berries and bark were commonly employed to induce bowel movements and "cleanse" the digestive tract, sometimes in the context of treating intestinal parasites such as tapeworms. The rationale in traditional herbalism was that the strong laxative effect would help expel worms from the intestines by increasing gut motility and creating an inhospitable environment for the parasites. References to this use can be found in several 19th-century and early 20th-century herbal texts, and in some traditional folk medicine practices of Central and Eastern Europe.

However, there is little to no modern scientific evidence to support the efficacy or safety of European Buckthorn specifically for treating tapeworm infections. Most research on anti-parasitic botanicals does not mention Rhamnus cathartica as an effective agent against tapeworms. Furthermore, the primary action of buckthorn is as a stimulant laxative due to its anthraquinone glycosides, which may induce diarrhea but do not directly kill or remove tapeworms. The plant also contains toxic compounds and is considered unsafe for repeated or high-dose use. Thus, while there is traditional precedent for its use as a purgative in parasitic infections, clinical validation is lacking.

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