Synopsis

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

American Liverleaf (Hepatica americana), also known as hepatica or liverwort, has a long history of traditional medicinal use by Native Americans and early European settlers in North America. It was primarily employed as a remedy for liver complaints, hence its common name. In traditional herbal practice, hepatica was also used as a mild astringent and for respiratory ailments, but some historical sources attribute its use for "glandular swellings," which generally referred to swollen lymph nodes or similar conditions in the language of the time.

However, this application was based strictly on the "Doctrine of Signatures"—the idea that plants resembling certain organs could treat ailments of those organs. Because hepatica leaves resemble the shape of the liver, the plant was thought to benefit liver and glandular issues. There is little to no robust clinical or pharmacological evidence to support its efficacy for swollen lymph glands or any glandular disorder. Modern herbal references rarely mention American Liverleaf for lymphatic or glandular conditions, and it is not widely used in contemporary herbal medicine for this purpose.

In summary, the use of American Liverleaf for swollen glands is rooted in historical tradition rather than scientific validation, and the supporting evidence is largely anecdotal or speculative.

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