Evidence supporting the use of: Baphicacanthus cusia
For the health condition: Skin (infections)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3
Baphicacanthus cusia, also known as Strobilanthes cusia or "Qing Dai" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has a long history of use for treating various skin infections and conditions. In TCM, the powdered form of the plant (Qing Dai) is applied topically or ingested for ailments such as eczema, psoriasis, and other inflammatory or infectious skin diseases. The traditional rationale is based on its reputed ability to "clear heat" and "detoxify" the skin, concepts central to TCM pathology.
Modern pharmacological studies have identified several active compounds in Baphicacanthus cusia, including indigo, indirubin, and tryptanthrin, which exhibit antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in vitro. Some laboratory studies show that these components inhibit the growth of certain bacteria and fungi that can cause skin infections, and indirubin has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in animal models. However, robust clinical trials in humans are lacking, and most evidence remains preclinical or anecdotal. Therefore, while traditional use is well-documented and laboratory data provides some plausibility, high-quality clinical validation is insufficient.
In summary, the use of Baphicacanthus cusia for skin infections is primarily supported by traditional practice, with some emerging scientific rationale but limited direct clinical evidence.
More about Baphicacanthus cusia
More about Skin (infections)
Other ingredients used for Skin (infections)
10-Undecenoic Acid15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-Phenyllactic Acid
Abuta
Acemannan
Achyranthes
Aerva lanata
Agave
Ajoene
Ajuga
Akebia
Alantolactone
Albizia
Alchornea
Alkanet
Alkanna
Allantoin
Allyl isothiocyanate
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
Alstonia scholaris
American Liverleaf
American Pawpaw
Ampelopsis
Antirrhinum majus
Aquilegia viridiflora
Ardisia
Arisaema
Artepillin C
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
aucubin
Aureobasidium pullulans
azelaic acid
babchi
Bacillus
Backhousia citriodora
bael
Baliospermum
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
barberry
bentonite
benzoin
Bergenia
bisabolene
Black spruce
black walnut
Blepharis
Boswellic Acid
Bougainvillea
Brazilian peppertree
burning bush
California pitcher plant
camphor oil
Casearia esculenta
castile soap
Cedrus libani
chaparral
Chekiang Fritillary
chickweed
Chiococca alba
chlorophyll
Chondracanthus chamissoi
Cistus
citral
citronella
Clerodendrum phlomidis
cocklebur
copaiba oil
copper
croton seeds
Cynodon dactylon
cypress
daphne
Didymocarpus
echinacea purpurea
Echinodorus
emu oil
farnesol
Ficus religiosa
fir
fleabane
frankincense
Galbanum
Galium
gallic acid
genipap
geranial
geraniol
Gigartina
glyceryl caprylate caprate
Glycolipids
Glycyrrhetinic acid
golden shower tree
goldenrod
goldenseal
Guazuma ulmifolia
heartwood
Hemidesmus
Homalomena
Houttuynia
Hyaluronidase
hydroxyquinoline
Hypericin
Immortelle
Immunoglobulin G
Indian nightshade
Indian sarsparilla
Ivy
Japanese sophora
Jatoba
juniper berries
Kachnar
Kigelia africana
knotgrass
knotweed
Labdanum
lactic acid
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactoperoxidase
Laminaria
Lantana camara
Ledebouriella
Leptadenia
Leptospermum scoparium
Lilium polyphyllum
liverwort
Lophira lanceolata
loquat
Loranthus
lupulone
Lysimachia
Mahonia
manzanita
Marjoram
Marking Nut Tree
Matapalo Tree
melaleuca alternifolia
Mesua
Milkweed
Monolaurin
Mountain horopito
Mountain mahogany
Mucilage
Mullein
Nasturtium
Night jessamine
Oak
Oldenlandia diffusa
oriental arborvitae
paederia foetida
Pentatropis capensis
Pepper Bark Tree
Plumbago zeylanica
Polypodium
Premna
privet
purple Tephrosia
queen of the meadow
Queen's Delight
quercetin
Rhododendron
Rosa laevigata
Rosmanol
Rubia cordifolia
Sapindus mukorossi
Sarcandra glabra
sarsaparilla
Scoparia dulcis
Semecarpus anacardium
Semiaquilegia
Sesquiterpenic Acid
sheep's sorrel
Shikonin
Silk protein
Silkmoth
Simaruba
Skunkvine
smilax
Smoketree
Snakeroot
Soapberry
Solanum anguivi
Spikenard
Spilanthes
Stillingia
Stone Root
Storax
Streptomyces
sweetgums
Takuna
Terpinen-4-ol
Thymol
Trypsin
turmeric
typhonium
Verbascoside
Veronica
vitamin C
Waltheria ovata
White oak
Wintergreen
Witch Hazel
Wrightia tinctoria
Xanthoparmelia
Xanthorrhizol
Yarrow
Yellow Dock
Yellow root
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by Baphicacanthus cusia
AbscessesAcne
Adenitis
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Asthma
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Chicken Pox
Chills
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Cuts
Dandruff
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Eczema
Emphysema
Eye Infections
Eyes (red or itching)
Fever
Fungal Infections
Gangrene
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Herpes
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Insect Repellant
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Laryngitis
Psoriasis
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Skin (infections)
Sore Throat
Staph Infections
Strep Throat
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Wounds and Sores
