Evidence supporting the use of: Sweet flag
For the health condition: Burning Feet or Hands

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Synopsis

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

Sweet flag (Acorus calamus) has a long history of use in traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda and Unani. One of its classical uses includes the management of burning sensations in the hands and feet, a condition sometimes referred to as "burning feet syndrome." Traditional practitioners have attributed this to the plant's supposed cooling, anti-inflammatory, and nervine properties. The rhizome of sweet flag is typically used, either as a paste applied topically or taken internally in various formulations. However, there is minimal modern scientific evidence to support these uses. Most of the literature consists of anecdotal reports and traditional texts rather than rigorous clinical trials. Some studies have documented anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of sweet flag extracts in vitro and in animal models, which are sometimes cited as indirect support, but these findings have not been robustly translated to the treatment of burning sensations in humans. Additionally, sweet flag contains β-asarone, a compound that is potentially toxic and carcinogenic, raising safety concerns about its internal use. In summary, while the use of sweet flag for burning sensations in hands and feet is well-rooted in tradition, there is a lack of high-quality scientific evidence to justify its efficacy or safety for this specific indication.

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