Synopsis

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

Western Buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis) has been used in traditional Native American herbal medicine, particularly by several Pacific Northwest tribes, for various topical applications, including the treatment of external ulcerations, sores, and skin eruptions. The plant was sometimes applied as a poultice to affected areas. However, the primary justification for its use is rooted in traditional knowledge rather than scientific validation. The buttercup family contains compounds such as protoanemonin, which is known to be irritating and potentially toxic to the skin, causing blistering and inflammation. This property may have been intentionally exploited in folk medicine for its counterirritant effects or to promote healing of chronic skin lesions or ulcerations by stimulating local blood flow. Despite these traditional uses, there is a lack of modern clinical or pharmacological studies evaluating the safety or efficacy of Western Buttercup for external ulcerations. Indeed, most modern sources caution against its use due to the risk of skin irritation and blistering. As a result, while its application is documented in ethnobotanical records, the quality and depth of evidence supporting its use for ulcerations is very limited, and scientific support is lacking.

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