Evidence supporting the use of: Siler root
For the health condition: Cholera

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Siler root, known botanically as Saposhnikovia divaricata (also called Fang Feng in Traditional Chinese Medicine), has a long history of use in East Asian herbal practices. Its primary traditional uses are to "expel wind," alleviate pain, and treat conditions such as the common cold, headaches, and rheumatic complaints. In some traditional medical texts, siler root is included in complex formulas intended to manage gastrointestinal disturbances, including diarrhea and dysentery-like symptoms, which may overlap with some symptoms of cholera. However, there is no specific, well-documented historical tradition of using siler root as a primary or standalone treatment for cholera itself. Instead, its inclusion in formulas for gastrointestinal complaints seems to be based on its perceived ability to "dispel wind-dampness" and relieve pain rather than direct anti-cholera activity.

From a scientific perspective, there are currently no clinical studies or robust pharmacological data supporting the use of siler root for cholera, which is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae and characterized by severe diarrhea and dehydration. Some in vitro studies suggest that siler root may have anti-inflammatory or mild antimicrobial effects, but these findings do not translate into established efficacy against cholera infection. Therefore, while the use of siler root for symptoms reminiscent of cholera may be found in traditional medicine, there is minimal scientific evidence to support its use for this specific condition.

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