Guarumo
Scientific names: Cecropia obtusifolia
Family: Urticaceae/Cecropiaceae
Alternate names: Chancarro, Grayumbo, Guarumbo, Guarumo Blanco, Hormiguillo, Pop-A-Gun, Snakewood Tree, Tree Of Laziness, Trompeto, Trumpet Tree, Yagrumo
Actions: Analgesic, Antidiabetic, Antihypertensive, Anti-inflammatory, Cardiovascular, Diuretic, Neurologic
Background
Guarumo is a tree. The leaves and stem are used to make medicine.
People use guarumo for asthma, diabetes, heart failure, joint diseases, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
People use guarumo for asthma, diabetes, heart failure, joint diseases, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Guarumo is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth as a tea. Tea prepared with guarumo leaf appears to be safe when taken by mouth daily for up to 32 weeks. Guarumo tea might cause some mild side effects, including excessive salivation, heartburn, and feeling tired. But these side effects appear to be uncommon.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if guarumo is safe or what the side effects might be.
Diabetes: Guarumo might lower blood sugar levels. People with diabetes should monitor their blood glucose levels closely. If you have diabetes, it's best to check with your healthcare provider before starting guarumo.
Low blood pressure: Guarumo might lower blood pressure. In theory, guarumo might lower pressure too much if taken by people who already have low blood pressure.
Surgery: Guarumo can slow down the central nervous system (CNS). Anesthesia and some other medications used during surgery have the same effect. There is concern that using guarumo along with these other medications might slow down the CNS too much and cause extreme sleepiness. Stop using guarumo at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if guarumo 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 guarumo is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Diabetes: Guarumo might lower blood sugar levels. People with diabetes should monitor their blood glucose levels closely. If you have diabetes, it's best to check with your healthcare provider before starting guarumo.
Low blood pressure: Guarumo might lower blood pressure. In theory, guarumo might lower pressure too much if taken by people who already have low blood pressure.
Surgery: Guarumo can slow down the central nervous system (CNS). Anesthesia and some other medications used during surgery have the same effect. There is concern that using guarumo along with these other medications might slow down the CNS too much and cause extreme sleepiness. Stop using guarumo at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
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
- Diabetes. Drinking guarumo tea before meals might lower blood sugar and improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. This includes people with diabetes who are already taking medicine for diabetes. But current research includes only small, low quality studies. Larger, higher quality studies that show benefit are needed before guarumo can be recommended for diabetes.
- Asthma.
- Bronchitis.
- Cough.
- Heart failure.
- High blood pressure.
- Liver disorders.
- Pain.
- Skin wounds, when applied to the skin.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of guarumo 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 guarumo. 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 diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Guarumo might lower blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking guarumo along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Guarumo might lower blood pressure. Taking guarumo along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.
Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.
Sedative medications (CNS depressants)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Guarumo might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking guarumo along with sedative medications might cause serious side effects. Do not take guarumo if you are taking sedative medications.
Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood pressure: Guarumo might lower blood pressure. Using it along with other herbs or supplements that might lower blood pressure could cause blood pressure to drop too low. Some of these products include andrographis, casein peptides, cat's claw, coenzyme Q-10, fish oil, L-arginine, lycium, stinging nettle, theanine, and others.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Taking guarumo along with other herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar might lower blood sugar too much. These herbs include alpha-lipoic acid, devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, psyllium, Siberian ginseng, and others.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Taking guarumo along with other herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar might lower blood sugar too much. These herbs include alpha-lipoic acid, devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, psyllium, Siberian ginseng, and others.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
Guarumo appears to reduce blood sugar levels by slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 29/06/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 23/11/2020 20:36:40. 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.
