Ankaferd blood stopper: A novel hemostatic agent with unique antimicrobial, antineoplastic and regenerative properties

A folkloric herbal extract of five plants (Thymus vulgaris, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Vitis vinifera, Alpinia officinarum, and Urtica dioica), is emerging as a promising hemostatic agent with strong immunological, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-mutagenic, and antioxidant properties. Though its use as a hemostatic agent in the various general surgical procedure involving gastrointestinal, variceal, presacral bleeding, burns, and epistaxis, etc. is established, very little data comprehensively highlights the mechanisms and clinical application of this potential folkloric combination. The present paper aims to highlight the mechanism of this unique herbal combination with the aim to lay the foundation for further research using this novel hemostatic agent.