Synopsis

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

Chiococca alba, commonly known as David's milkberry or West Indian milkberry, has a history of traditional use in folk medicine in the Caribbean and Central and South America. Among its reported ethnobotanical applications, the use of C. alba as an insect repellent has been documented in some traditional practices. For example, extracts or decoctions of the plant have been applied topically or used in the environment to deter insects, particularly mosquitoes. These uses are generally based on local knowledge and oral histories rather than rigorous scientific studies.

However, scientific validation for the efficacy of C. alba as an insect repellent is minimal. There are only sparse reports in the scientific literature on the isolation of bioactive compounds from C. alba that might possess insect-repelling properties, and no substantial clinical or laboratory evidence exists to confirm its effectiveness when compared to standard insect repellents. The evidence rating is therefore modest, reflecting a reliance on traditional knowledge with little corroboration from controlled studies. In summary, the use of Chiococca alba as an insect repellent is rooted in traditional practices, but lacks significant scientific backing as of the current literature.

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