Evidence supporting the use of: Cicada
For the health condition: Rashes and Hives

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

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

Cicada (commonly referring to the slough, or shed exoskeleton, of the insect Cryptotympana pustulata, known in Chinese medicine as "Chantui") has been used traditionally in Chinese herbal medicine for various dermatological conditions, including rashes and hives (urticaria). In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Chantui is believed to "dispel wind-heat," "relieve itching," and treat conditions characterized by external wind-heat invasion, such as skin eruptions, rashes, and itching. Historical texts such as the "Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing" and subsequent materia medica document its use for these symptoms.

However, scientific validation for the efficacy of cicada slough in treating rashes and hives is limited. There are few, if any, high-quality clinical trials or pharmacological studies directly evaluating its effect on dermatological conditions in humans. The available evidence remains largely anecdotal or based on theoretical frameworks of TCM rather than modern biomedical research. While some laboratory studies have explored the bioactive compounds in cicada slough and suggested potential anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory effects, these findings are preliminary and insufficient to support clinical recommendations.

In summary, cicada slough is traditionally used for rashes and hives in TCM, but scientific evidence to support its efficacy is weak, leading to a low evidence rating.

More about Cicada
More about Rashes and Hives

Products containing Cicada

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.