Evidence supporting the use of: Spanish Needle
For the health condition: Lice

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Synopsis

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

Bidens pilosa, commonly known as Spanish Needle, has been traditionally used in various cultures for a range of medicinal purposes, including as a remedy for lice. Ethnobotanical surveys and folk medicine reports, particularly from regions in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, document the use of Spanish Needle leaves or extracts as a topical application to help eliminate lice infestations. The presumed mechanism is attributed to the plant’s reported insecticidal properties and its content of phytochemicals, such as flavonoids and polyacetylenes, which may have some activity against ectoparasites. However, there is a notable lack of robust scientific validation for this use: controlled laboratory or clinical studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of Spanish Needle specifically for lice treatment are either lacking or very limited. Most available reports are anecdotal or based on traditional knowledge rather than modern pharmacological evidence. Consequently, while its use for lice is supported by tradition and local practices, it cannot be considered evidence-based by contemporary scientific standards. Caution should be exercised, as the safety profile for direct application on the scalp—especially for children—has not been rigorously evaluated.

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Products containing Spanish Needle

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