About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products

Scientific Name
Scaevola spinescens
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Common Name

Prickly fan-flower, Currant bush

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Clinical Summary

A bushy shrub used in traditional medicine for cold, stomach ailments, and as a diuretic by the Aboriginese people in Australia. The leaves of Maroon Bush have been shown to inhibit human cytomegalovirus in vitro, suggestive of antiviral activity (1). The infusion of the leaves and branches has purported use for cancer leading to heightened interest in using this plant as an alternative cancer treatment. There are no published scientific studies showing anti-cancer effects of maroon bush in humans.

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Purported Uses
  • Boils
  • Sores
  • Ulcers
  • Stomach ache
  • Diuretic
  • Colds
  • Cancer
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Mechanism of Action

The leaves of S. spinescens, but not the stems, can inhibit human cytomegalovirus in vitro (1).

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References
  1. Semple SJ, Reynolds GD, O'Leary MC, Flower RL. Screening of Australian medicinal plants for antiviral activity. J Ethnopharmacol 1998;60(2):163-72.
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How It Works

Bottom Line: Maroon bush has not been studied in humans.

An Australian shrub used in traditional Aboriginal medicine for cold and stomach ailments. Lab studies have shown that maroon bush has antiviral activity, but it is not known if it has anticancer effects in humans.

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Purported Uses
  • Boils
    There is no scientific evidence to support this use.
  • Sores
    This use is not backed by published data.
  • Ulcers
    There are no data to confirm this use.
  • Stomach ache
    This use is not supported by clinical data.
  • Colds
    Although used in traditional medicine, there are no clinical data to confirm this.
  • Cancer
    Even though purported to have anticancer effects, there are no scientific data to support this use.
  • Diuretic
    Maroon bush is used in traditional medicine as a diuretic but there is no evidence to establish this use.
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Research Evidence

A study found extracts of maroon bush leaves to have antiviral activity against human cytomegalovirus. There are no published reports on it anticancer effects.

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Last updated: July 18, 2011
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