The seeds of cuscuta have long been used in Traditional Oriental Medicine. It has been reported in scientific studies that Cuscuta australis, the most commonly used medicinal plant among the species in genus Cuscuta, contains abundant flavonoids, such as quercetin, kaempferol, and hyperoside, which are well known for their anti-oxidant activities. Korean research scientists demonstrated that the extract of C. australis inhibited the melanin synthesis by suppressing tyrosinase activity, while the seed extract showed anti acne effect by inhibiting the growth of acne causing bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes.