Synopsis

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

Devil's Club (Oplopanax horridus) has a long history of use among Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, where it is traditionally applied topically to bites and stings from insects and other animals. Ethnobotanical records consistently report that various parts of the plant—most commonly the stem bark or roots—are prepared as poultices, washes, or salves to help reduce pain, swelling, and the risk of infection associated with bites and stings (National Library of Medicine). These uses are supported by oral histories and documentation in ethnobotanical literature, such as the works of Nancy J. Turner and others, which detail the plant’s importance in traditional medicine. However, there is limited scientific research specifically validating the efficacy of Devil's Club for bites and stings. While some laboratory studies have identified antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory constituents in Devil’s Club extracts, direct clinical trials or pharmacological studies addressing its effectiveness for this specific condition are lacking. Thus, the primary justification for its use in this context remains traditional, with some plausible but unproven scientific mechanisms.

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