Synopsis

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

Centipeda species, most notably Centipeda minima, have a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Australian Indigenous practices. In these systems, preparations of Centipeda are often used topically or internally for conditions believed to be related to infection, such as skin sores, nasal inflammation, and respiratory tract issues. The traditional use is based on the belief that Centipeda possesses "clearing heat" and detoxifying properties, which are interpreted as antimicrobial effects in contemporary terms.

There is limited scientific research investigating Centipeda extracts for antibacterial activity. Some in vitro studies have reported mild to moderate activity against certain bacterial strains, but these studies are preliminary, often use crude extracts, and lack clinical validation. No robust human clinical trials have confirmed efficacy for treating bacterial infections. Most modern evidence is restricted to ethnopharmacological surveys and laboratory screening, which are insufficient to establish clinical relevance.

In summary, the use of Centipeda for bacterial infection is primarily justified by tradition, with some weak preliminary laboratory support but no strong scientific validation. The evidence base is therefore rated low (2 out of 5), reflecting the gap between traditional use and modern clinical evidence.

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