Evidence supporting the use of: Clerodendrum indicum
For the health condition: Parasites (tapeworm)

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Synopsis

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

Clerodendrum indicum, also known as "turk's turban" or "skyrocket," has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in South and Southeast Asia. Its roots and other parts have been utilized in folk remedies for a variety of ailments, including as an anthelmintic (a substance that expels or destroys parasitic worms). Ethnomedicinal surveys and traditional pharmacopoeias from regions like India and Bangladesh mention its use against intestinal worms, including tapeworms. The plant is typically administered as a decoction or extract, either alone or in combination with other herbs.

While the traditional use is well-documented in sources such as the "Wealth of India" and various ethnobotanical studies, the scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness against tapeworms specifically is limited. Some in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that extracts from Clerodendrum indicum possess general anthelmintic and antiparasitic properties, but these studies are often preliminary, not specific to tapeworms (cestodes), and may use different species of worms (such as nematodes). The active compounds believed to contribute to anthelmintic activity include flavonoids and saponins, but their mechanisms against tapeworms are not well characterized.

In summary, the use of Clerodendrum indicum for treating tapeworms is primarily justified by traditional practices rather than robust scientific validation. The evidence level is modest (2/5), reflecting the gap between historical usage and modern clinical proof.

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