Chaulmoogra
Scientific names: Hydnocarpus kurzii, Taraktogenos kurzii, Hydnocarpus anthelminthicus
Family: Flacourtiaceae
Alternate names: Chaulmugra, Da Feng Zi, Gynocardia Oil, Hydnocarp, Hydnocarpus, Oleum Chaulmoograe
Background
Chaulmoogra is an herb. People use the seed to make medicine.
Despite serious safety concerns, people put chaulmoogra powder, oil, emulsion, or ointment on the skin to treat skin problems including psoriasis and eczema.
Chaulmoogra is given intravenously (by IV) for leprosy. This is not surprising since the first drugs used for treating leprosy used chemicals found in chaulmoogra seeds.
Despite serious safety concerns, people put chaulmoogra powder, oil, emulsion, or ointment on the skin to treat skin problems including psoriasis and eczema.
Chaulmoogra is given intravenously (by IV) for leprosy. This is not surprising since the first drugs used for treating leprosy used chemicals found in chaulmoogra seeds.
Safety Safety definitions
Chaulmoogra is UNSAFE when taken by mouth because it contains cyanide and might cause cyanide poisoning. It can cause cough, difficulty breathing, throat spasms, kidney damage, visual disorders, head and muscle pain, and paralysis when taken by mouth.
The safety of applying chaulmoogra to the skin is unknown. It can cause skin irritation.
The safety of applying chaulmoogra to the skin is unknown. It can cause skin irritation.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of chaulmoogra during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.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
- Psoriasis, when applied to the skin.
- Eczema, when applied to the skin.
- Other skin disorders, when applied to the skin.
- Leprosy, when given intravenously.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of chaulmoogra 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 chaulmoogra. 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
It is not known if Chaulmoogra interacts with any medicines. Before taking Chaulmoogra, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
Chaulmoogra might have calming- and fever-reducing properties. It might also have activity against skin disorders. Some animal research suggests it might harm the bacterium that causes leprosy.
vital.ly has licensed monographs from TRC Healthcare.
This monograph was last reviewed on 03/10/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 24/12/2012 22:45:49. 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.
