Evidence supporting the use of: Swertia
For the body system: Pancreas Head

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Synopsis

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

Swertia, particularly Swertia chirayita, has been used traditionally in Ayurvedic and other systems of medicine in South Asia to support digestive health, including the pancreas. The herb is renowned for its bitter principles (such as swertiamarin and amarogentin), which have been believed to stimulate digestive secretions and improve appetite. In traditional formulations, swertia is sometimes included to "cool" the digestive system and help regulate blood sugar, which indirectly relates to pancreatic health. However, there is limited direct scientific evidence supporting its specific role in pancreatic health or disease. Most modern studies focus on its potential anti-diabetic and hepatoprotective effects, with some animal and in vitro studies suggesting improvement in blood glucose control—possibly indicating beneficial effects on pancreatic function. Despite these findings, robust clinical trials in humans are lacking, and there is insufficient data to confirm its efficacy for supporting the pancreas head/body specifically. Thus, its use is primarily justified by tradition rather than strong scientific validation.

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