A to Z of MS Kalawalla
Kalawalla is the brand name of an herbal supplement derived from a type of fern native to Central and South America. Polypodium leucotomas is the active ingredient of Kalawalla and has been the subject of a limited number of studies unrelated to multiple sclerosis.
Unsupported claims about the remedial effects of Kalawalla in the treatment of MS suggest that the substance works by regulating the immune system. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of polypodium leucotomos are implicated in the effect it is claimed to have upon the processes at work in MS.
However, such claims need to be treated with caution as there is no research evidence supporting the use of Kalawalla in MS. Where polypodium leucotomos has been the subject of research studies, the focus has been on the photoprotective properties of the substance and its usage in the treatment of various skin complaints such as psoriasis.
As with all herbal supplements, the risks and benefits associated with their use in MS have not been fully evaluated.