Evidence supporting the use of: Holarrhena antidysenterica
For the health condition: Cholera

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Synopsis

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

Holarrhena antidysenterica, also known as Kutaja or Kurchi, has a long-standing history in Ayurvedic and traditional Indian medicine for treating gastrointestinal disorders, including diarrhea and dysentery. Its use for cholera is primarily based on this traditional context. In classical Ayurvedic texts, preparations of Holarrhena bark or seeds are recommended for “atisara” (diarrhea) and “pravahika” (dysentery), symptoms that overlap with those seen in cholera, such as severe diarrhea and dehydration. Historical accounts from the 19th and early 20th centuries document the use of Holarrhena in treating cholera outbreaks in India, often as an adjunct to other herbal remedies. However, scientific validation for its effectiveness specifically against cholera (caused by Vibrio cholerae) is limited. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest the plant has antimicrobial and antidiarrheal properties, attributed to alkaloids like conessine, but direct evidence against V. cholerae or in clinical settings for cholera is lacking. No high-quality clinical trials have established efficacy in humans for cholera specifically. Thus, while Holarrhena antidysenterica is traditionally used for symptoms associated with cholera, the scientific evidence for its use in this context is insufficient, and its role remains primarily based on historical and ethnomedical practices rather than modern clinical research.

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