Durian
Scientific names: Durio zibethinus
Family: Malvaceae
Alternate names: Ambetan, Civet-Cat Fruit, Civet Fruit, Common Durian, Doerian, Dulian, Duren, Durian Kampong, Durian Puteh, Durianbaum, Durião, Durión, Du-Yin, Heaven and Hell Fruit, Kadu, King of Fruits, Liu Lian, Nirpanas, Rian, Sâu Riêng, Skunk of the Orchard, Stinkfrucht, Stinkvrucht, Thourièn, Thu-Réén, Thurian, Zibetbaum
Actions: Antioxidant, Cardiovascular
Background
Durian is an evergreen, tropical tree found in southeast Asia. The distinctive fruit has a spiky outer covering and smells of rotten eggs. The fruit, bark, roots, and leaves are used to make medicine.
People use durian for fever, high blood pressure, liver disease, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
People use durian for fever, high blood pressure, liver disease, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Durian fruit that has had the seeds removed is LIKELY SAFE when eaten in food amounts. There isn't enough reliable information to know if durian fruit is safe in the amounts used in medicines.
Durian seeds are POSSIBLY UNSAFE unless cooked. The raw seeds contain chemicals that are thought to be toxic and carcinogenic.
Diabetes: There is concern that durian fruit might make diabetes worse if eaten regularly. It increases blood sugar levels more than other fruits, such as bananas or mangos.
Durian seeds are POSSIBLY UNSAFE unless cooked. The raw seeds contain chemicals that are thought to be toxic and carcinogenic.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if durian is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Diabetes: There is concern that durian fruit might make diabetes worse if eaten regularly. It increases blood sugar levels more than other fruits, such as bananas or mangos.
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
- A hormonal disorder that causes enlarged ovaries with cysts (polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS).
- Anxiety.
- Common cold.
- Depression.
- Fever.
- High blood pressure.
- Increasing sexual desire in healthy people.
- Indigestion (dyspepsia).
- Infection of the intestines by parasites.
- Insomnia.
- Liver disease.
- Malaria.
- Sexual desire.
- Skin diseases.
- Wound healing.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of durian 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 durian. 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
Alcohol (Ethanol)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
The body breaks down alcohol to get rid of it. Durian might decrease how quickly the body breaks down alcohol. Drinking alcohol and taking durian might increase the effects and side effects of alcohol. Don't drink any alcohol if you are taking durian.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There is some concern that durian might decrease how quickly the body breaks down alcohol. Drinking alcohol when taking durian might increase the effects and side effects of alcohol.
Action
There isn't enough reliable information to know how durian might work.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 26/08/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 20/12/2021 02:08:51. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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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.
