The use of thatch screw-pine (Pandanus tectorius) for treating cholera is rooted primarily in traditional medicine practices rather than in scientific validation. Ethnobotanical surveys, particularly from South and Southeast Asia and Pacific Island communities, document the use of various parts of the Pandanus plant—including roots, leaves, and fruits—in traditional remedies for digestive ailments, including diarrhea and dysentery, which are symptomatic of cholera. The rationale for use often comes from observations of its purported anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, or antimicrobial properties in folk medicine systems.

However, modern pharmacological studies directly evaluating Pandanus tectorius for efficacy against Vibrio cholerae (the causative agent of cholera) or for its ability to rehydrate or treat cholera symptoms are lacking. Some studies have identified general antibacterial and antioxidant compounds in Pandanus species, but these findings are preliminary and not specific to cholera. As such, there is no robust clinical or experimental evidence supporting its use for cholera in contemporary scientific literature. The traditional use persists in some regions, but medical authorities do not recognize Pandanus tectorius as a validated treatment for cholera.