Babassu
Scientific names: Attalea speciosa, Orbignya phalerata, Orbignya barbosiana, Orbignya heubneri, Orbignya martiana, Orbignya speciosa
Family: Arecaceae/Palmae
Alternate names: Babaçu, Babassou, Babassu Coconut, Babassu Palm Tree, Babussupalme, Cusí, Cusi Palm
Actions: Anti-inflammatory effect, Antithrombotic effect, Antithyroid activity, Insect repellency, Wound healing
Background
Babassu is a type of palm tree that grows in Brazil. People use parts of the fruit and the oil found in the kernels to make medicine.
People use babassu for conditions such as cancer, infections of the kidney, bladder, or urethra (urinary tract infections or UTIs), wounds, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
People use babassu for conditions such as cancer, infections of the kidney, bladder, or urethra (urinary tract infections or UTIs), wounds, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if babassu is safe or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if babassu is safe or what the side effects might be.
Bleeding disorders: Babassu might slow blood clotting. In theory, babassu might increase the risk of bruising or bleeding in some people with bleeding disorders.
Surgery: Babassu might slow blood clotting. There is a concern that it might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop taking babassu at least 2 weeks before surgery.
Thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone) or goiter: Babassu might decrease thyroid function. This might make certain conditions, such as hypothyroidism or goiter, worse.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if babassu is safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if babassu is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Bleeding disorders: Babassu might slow blood clotting. In theory, babassu might increase the risk of bruising or bleeding in some people with bleeding disorders.
Surgery: Babassu might slow blood clotting. There is a concern that it might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop taking babassu at least 2 weeks before surgery.
Thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone) or goiter: Babassu might decrease thyroid function. This might make certain conditions, such as hypothyroidism or goiter, worse.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- Cancer.
- Constipation.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the stomach (gastritis).
- Obesity.
- Pain.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- Infections of the kidney, bladder, or urethra (urinary tract infections or UTIs).
- Poor circulation that can lead to varicose veins and other conditions (venous insufficiency).
- Wound healing.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of babassu depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for babassu. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications for an overactive thyroid (Antithyroid drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Babassu might decrease thyroid function. Taking babassu along with medications for an overactive thyroid might decrease thyroid function too much. Don't take babassu if you are taking medications for an overactive thyroid.
Some of these medications include methimazole (Tapazole), potassium iodide (Thyro-Block), and others.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Babassu might slow blood clotting. Taking babassu along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Babassu might slow blood clotting. Taking babassu along with herbs that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. These herbs include angelica, clove, danshen, fenugreek, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, poplar, red clover, turmeric, and others.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
Babassu contains chemicals that can reduce swelling (inflammation) and slow blood clotting.
vital.ly has licensed monographs from TRC Healthcare.
This monograph was last reviewed on 30/03/2023 11:00:00 and last updated on 20/12/2021 09:17:32. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
Natural Medicines disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. No reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. It is unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.
Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
