Synopsis

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

Hedyotis diffusa, also known as Oldenlandia diffusa or "Bai Hua She She Cao" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has historically been used in East Asian herbal remedies for a range of conditions, including infections and inflammatory diseases. In TCM, it is believed to "clear heat and detoxify," which is traditionally associated with treating symptoms of viral infections, including herpes simplex virus (HSV) outbreaks. However, the evidence supporting its use for herpes is primarily anecdotal and traditional; there are very few modern scientific studies that directly investigate its antiviral activity against HSV.

Some in vitro studies suggest that extracts of Hedyotis diffusa possess general antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, but these studies typically focus on other viruses or broader immune-modulating effects rather than herpes specifically. Clinical trials substantiating its efficacy against herpes infections are lacking. Thus, while Hedyotis diffusa is used in TCM as part of multi-herb formulas for conditions interpreted as "toxic heat," including herpes sores, its use is not based on rigorous scientific validation but rather on traditional practice and limited preclinical evidence. The evidence strength is rated 2, reflecting traditional use with only weak supporting laboratory data and no direct clinical trial confirmation for herpes.

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