Evidence supporting the use of: Alkanna
For the health condition: Scars / Scar Tissue

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

Alkanna, particularly Alkanna tinctoria, has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for wound healing and the treatment of scars and scar tissue. In various cultures, the root—often called “alkanet”—has been used topically in the form of salves or oils. Its principal active compound is alkannin, a naphthoquinone derivative, which imparts a characteristic red color and is believed to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Historical accounts, especially from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern folk medicine, describe the use of Alkanna root preparations to promote skin healing, soothe irritation, and potentially minimize the appearance of scars. However, while there is some in vitro and animal research suggesting that alkannin may support wound healing and have antimicrobial effects, direct clinical evidence for its effectiveness in treating or reducing established scars or scar tissue in humans is currently lacking. The majority of support for using Alkanna in this context is therefore based on traditional practice rather than robust scientific validation. As such, its use for this purpose is best considered as traditional, with a modest evidence rating due to limited mechanistic and preclinical studies but a lack of clinical trials.

More about Alkanna
More about Scars / Scar Tissue

Products containing Alkanna

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