Evidence supporting the use of: Impatiens
For the health condition: Scratches and Abrasions
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Impatiens (Impatiens spp.), particularly Impatiens balsamina, has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, especially in Asia and among some indigenous groups in North America. For minor skin injuries such as scratches and abrasions, impatiens has been applied topically as a poultice or in herbal washes. The traditional rationale is based on the plant’s purported anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which are believed to soothe irritated skin and help prevent infection. In North American folk medicine, impatiens is especially known as a remedy for poison ivy and other skin irritations, and by extension, sometimes used for minor cuts and abrasions.
However, there is limited scientific research to substantiate these traditional claims. A few laboratory studies have reported the presence of compounds in impatiens extracts with mild antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory activity, but these are preliminary and not specific to wound healing. Clinical trials or robust scientific validation for its effectiveness in treating scratches and abrasions are lacking. Therefore, while the use of impatiens for this purpose is rooted in tradition, the actual strength of evidence remains low, with a rating of 2 out of 5, indicating some traditional support but minimal scientific backing. As always, users should exercise caution and consult healthcare professionals before using herbal remedies for wound care.
Other ingredients used for Scratches and Abrasions
AbutaAcacia
Acemannan
Achyranthes
Agrimony
Alkanet
Alkanna
Allantoin
Aloe vera
Anemone
Anserina
Antirrhinum majus
Aquilegia formosa
arnica
Asclepias cordifolia
babassu
babchi
bai ji
Baliospermum
barbary matrimony vine
bayberry
bee propolis
Begonia fimbristipula
benzoin
bindweed
bisabolene
bittersweet
black poplar
black root
Black spruce
black walnut
black-eyed Susan
blackbrush
blackthorn
bleeding heart
Bletilla
bloodroot
Brazilian peppertree
Bridges\' penstemon
Bush Monkey Flower
Calochortus
Calotropis gigantea
Calyptridium umbellatum
camphor oil
Campsiandra angustifolia
Campylandra fimbriata
candleberry
carrapichinho
castile soap
cattail
Ceanothus integerrimus
cedar
Cedrus libani
chamomile
chickweed
Chinese thoroughwax
Chiococca alba
cleavers
cocklebur
columbine
comfrey
common thatching grass
common zinnia
copaiba oil
cornflower
cranesbill
Cyanthillium cinereum
Cynoglossum grande
Davilla rugosa
deerbrush
devil\'s club
dragon\'s blood
Dwarf Nettle
dyer’s woad root
elemi
elephant vine
elkweed
emu oil
English elm
Erigeron
Eupatorium
European hazel
fiesta flower
figwort
fir
fireweed
fleabane
Formosan sweet-gum
four-leaved grass
Gambir
Genipa americana
geranium
Gleditsia
Glycerite
glyceryl monolaurate
golden ragwort
Golden Willow
Gumweed
hairy arnica
hartstongue
Heliopsis
henna
hound\'s tongue
Immortelle
impatiens
iodine
Japanese sophora
Jessica\'s sticktight
Jewelweed
jojoba oil
Kelloggii's Monkey-flower
Kochia
Labdanum
lac resin
lacquertree
Lantana camara
lauric acid
Leptospermum scoparium
lilac
Lygodium
Lysimachia
Mahonia
Manchurian thorn
Marking Nut Tree
melaleuca alternifolia
Microtea debilis
Monardella odoratissima
Moss
Mountain bluebells
Mountain horopito
Mountain mahogany
Mucin
Oak
Ocotillo
oriental arborvitae
Pacific madrone
paederia foetida
Panthenol
parthenium
peacock\'s tail
Pellitory
Pepper Bark Tree
Peroxidase
Pink Root
Plumbago zeylanica
Plumeria lancifolia
Potentilla
Povidone
protease
proteolytic enzymes
Psacalium peltatum
Purple Avens
purple Tephrosia
Quebracho
Queen's Delight
red alder
red soapwort
red spiderling
Rhus coraria
Rhus glabra
Rosa californica
rubber rabbitbrush
Rupturewort
Sangre de Grado
Sanicle
Sapindus mukorossi
Sargentodoxa
Siberian Elm
Silverweed
slippery elm bark
Smooth Alder
Snakeroot
Soapberry
Soft rush
Southernwood
Spiraea
Stone Root
Storax
Tansy
tartarian aster
Tea Tree Oil
Terpinen-4-ol
Teucrium marum
Thuja
Toadflax
Tridax
Triplaris peruviana
Trumpet Vine
turmeric
Tynanthus elegans
vitamin C
Waltheria ovata
Weak Jumby Pepper
White Dead Nettle Flower
White Heather
White oak
White Poplar
Wild Daisy
Witch Hazel
Wood betony
Woodwardia
Wrightia tinctoria
Yarrow
Yerba Mansa
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by impatiens
AbrasionsBites and Stings
Bruises (healing)
Cuts
Insect Repellant
Scratches and Abrasions
Wounds and Sores