Evidence supporting the use of: Alkanna
For the health condition: Scratches and Abrasions
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Alkanna, commonly known as Alkanet, has a long history of traditional use in various cultures, particularly in the Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian regions. Its roots contain red pigments (alkannin and shikonin) and have been applied topically for minor wounds, scratches, abrasions, and burns. Traditional healers have valued Alkanna for its purported soothing and protective properties, often using it as an ingredient in ointments and salves. Some modern research has identified that alkannin and shikonin possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in vitro, which could theoretically benefit wound healing. However, high-quality clinical trials in humans specifically investigating Alkanna for scratches and abrasions are lacking. Only a few small studies and laboratory experiments suggest potential biological activity, but these are insufficient to conclusively validate its efficacy. Thus, while Alkanna's use is well-established in traditional medicine for minor skin injuries, scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness for scratches and abrasions remains limited. Its rating of 2 reflects the gap between longstanding traditional use and the relatively modest scientific investigation so far. Caution should be exercised, as allergic reactions or skin staining can occur.
Other ingredients used for Scratches and Abrasions
Aloe verabayberry
beeswax
bisabolol
black walnut
chamomile
turmeric
dyer’s woad root
iodine
Japanese sophora
lauric acid
Mucin
protease
slippery elm bark
vitamin C
Zinc
parthenium
chickweed
paederia foetida
lilac
Yarrow
Moss
oriental arborvitae
tartarian aster
camphor oil
cleavers
Wood betony
White oak
melaleuca alternifolia
geranium
arnica
impatiens
Asclepias cordifolia
Acacia
Agrimony
Antirrhinum majus
Achyranthes
Anserina
Anemone
Aquilegia formosa
Allantoin
Alkanet
Acemannan
Abuta
Alkanna
bee propolis
babchi
bai ji
Baliospermum
Black spruce
blackthorn
bleeding heart
Bridges\' penstemon
black-eyed Susan
blackbrush
Brazilian peppertree
bisabolene
bloodroot
benzoin
Begonia fimbristipula
bindweed
black poplar
Bletilla
barbary matrimony vine
Bush Monkey Flower
babassu
black root
bittersweet
Calochortus
comfrey
candleberry
Calotropis gigantea
cattail
columbine
cornflower
common thatching grass
common zinnia
Cynoglossum grande
cedar
Campylandra fimbriata
Campsiandra angustifolia
cranesbill
Chinese thoroughwax
carrapichinho
Cedrus libani
Ceanothus integerrimus
Cyanthillium cinereum
castile soap
Chiococca alba
cocklebur
copaiba oil
Calyptridium umbellatum
dragon\'s blood
devil\'s club
Dwarf Nettle
Davilla rugosa
deerbrush
Erigeron
elephant vine
European hazel
English elm
emu oil
elkweed
Eupatorium
elemi
fiesta flower
figwort
Formosan sweet-gum
fleabane
fireweed
fir
four-leaved grass
Gleditsia
Glycerite
glyceryl monolaurate
Gumweed
Gambir
Genipa americana
golden ragwort
Golden Willow
Heliopsis
hartstongue
hound\'s tongue
henna
hairy arnica
Immortelle
Jewelweed
jojoba oil
Jessica\'s sticktight
Kochia
Kelloggii's Monkey-flower
lacquertree
lac resin
Lygodium
Lantana camara
Leptospermum scoparium
Lysimachia
Labdanum
Mountain bluebells
Mountain horopito
Monardella odoratissima
Mountain mahogany
Mahonia
Microtea debilis
Marking Nut Tree
Manchurian thorn
Oak
Ocotillo
purple Tephrosia
Psacalium peltatum
Purple Avens
Povidone
Pepper Bark Tree
Plumeria lancifolia
proteolytic enzymes
peacock\'s tail
Pink Root
Pellitory
Panthenol
Plumbago zeylanica
Peroxidase
Pacific madrone
Poloxamer
Potentilla
Quebracho
Queen's Delight
Rupturewort
red alder
red soapwort
Rhus coraria
rubber rabbitbrush
red spiderling
Rosa californica
Rhus glabra
Sanicle
Sargentodoxa
Sausage Tree
Silverweed
Soft rush
Smooth Alder
Sangre de Grado
Snakeroot
Southernwood
Spiraea
Siberian Elm
Soapberry
Sapindus mukorossi
Sulfur
Storax
Stone Root
Teucrium marum
Trumpet Vine
Terpinen-4-ol
Thuja
Tridax
Triplaris peruviana
Tansy
Toadflax
Tea Tree Oil
Tynanthus elegans
White Dead Nettle Flower
White Heather
Wrightia tinctoria
Witch Hazel
Wild Daisy
Woodwardia
White Poplar
Weak Jumby Pepper
Waltheria ovata
Yerba Mansa