Evidence supporting the use of: Nut grass
For the health condition: Fungal Infections

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Synopsis

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

Nut grass (Cyperus rotundus) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Siddha. In these practices, nut grass is often employed for its purported anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. Various ancient texts mention its use for treating skin ailments, which are sometimes attributed to fungal infections. However, the historical use is largely empirical, based on observation rather than systematic study.

Modern scientific research investigating the antifungal activity of nut grass is limited but not entirely absent. Some in vitro studies have reported that extracts of Cyperus rotundus can inhibit the growth of certain fungal species, such as Candida albicans and dermatophytes, at varying concentrations. The proposed mechanisms involve the presence of bioactive compounds like flavonoids, terpenoids, and essential oils. However, these findings are preliminary, mostly conducted in laboratory settings and not corroborated by clinical trials in humans.

Overall, while there is a traditional basis for using nut grass in the management of fungal infections, and some early laboratory studies suggest possible antifungal effects, there is insufficient high-quality scientific evidence to robustly support its use for this purpose. Its current use is therefore primarily justified on traditional grounds, with moderate but not strong supporting evidence.

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