Japanese apricot
Scientific names: Prunus mume, Armeniaca mume
Family: Rosaceae
Alternate names: Abricotier du Japon, Abricotier Japonais, Albaricoque de Flores Japonesas, Albaricoque Japonés, Albaricoquero del Japón, Albaricoquero Japonés, Apricot Tree, Árbol de Chabacano, Bainiku-ekisu, Beni Chidori, Chabacano Japonés, Chidori Beni, Chinese Green Plum, Ciruela China, Japanese Flowering Apricot, Japanese Plum, Japanese Ume, Jugo de Wu-Mei, Mae-Sil-Na-Moo, Mei, Mume, Pickled Ume, Smoke-Dried Ume, Ubai, Ume, Umeboshi, Umezu Polyphenols, Umé, Ume Brandy, Ume en Escabeche, Wu-Mei Juice
Background
Japanese apricot is a small fruit tree. The fruit, branches, and flowers are used to make medicine.
People take Japanese apricot for colds, stomach and intestinal disorders, to prevent heart disease, sunburn, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In manufacturing, Japanese apricot is added to cosmetic lotions.
Japanese apricot fruit juice is a traditional Japanese beverage.
People take Japanese apricot for colds, stomach and intestinal disorders, to prevent heart disease, sunburn, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In manufacturing, Japanese apricot is added to cosmetic lotions.
Japanese apricot fruit juice is a traditional Japanese beverage.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Dried or pickled Japanese apricot is LIKELY SAFE when eaten in food amounts. An extract of dried Japanese apricot is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth short-term. Side effects might include upset stomach or constipation. In rare cases, allergic reactions might occur. Raw Japanese apricot is POSSIBLY UNSAFE to eat. The raw fruit contains toxic chemicals. Only processed fruit products should be used.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Japanese apricot is safe or what the side effects might be.
Diabetes: Japanese apricot might lower blood sugar. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use Japanese apricot.
Surgery: Japanese apricot might slow blood clotting or affect blood sugar levels. There is some concern that it might increase the risk of bleeding or interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using Japanese apricot at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Japanese apricot 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 Japanese apricot is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Diabetes: Japanese apricot might lower blood sugar. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use Japanese apricot.
Surgery: Japanese apricot might slow blood clotting or affect blood sugar levels. There is some concern that it might increase the risk of bleeding or interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using Japanese apricot 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
- Persistent heartburn. People who eat Japanese apricot every day might be less likely to have persistent heartburn than those who don't eat Japanese apricot.
- A digestive tract infection that can lead to ulcers (Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori). Drinking diluted concentrate of Japanese apricot juice doesn't seem to help treat H. pylori infections. Also, most people who eat Japanese apricot fruit don't seem to have a lower chance of developing an H. pylori infection compared to those who don't eat Japanese apricot.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (hepatitis C). Early research shows that taking Japanese apricot improves markers of liver injury in people with hepatitis C. But it's unclear if taking Japanese apricot reduces the risk of complications of hepatitis C.
- High blood pressure. Early research shows that taking Japanese apricot doesn't reduce blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.
- Build up of fat in the liver in people who drink little or no alcohol (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD). Early research shows that taking Japanese apricot improves markers of livery injury in people with NAFLD. But it's unclear if taking Japanese apricot reduces the risk of complications of NAFLD.
- Fever.
- Cough.
- Stomach disorders.
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia).
- Menopausal symptoms.
- Cancer.
- Prevention of heart disease.
- Fatigue.
- Gout.
- Sunburn, when applied to the skin.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of Japanese apricot 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 Japanese apricot. 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.
Japanese apricot might lower blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking Japanese apricot 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 that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Japanese apricot flower extract might slow blood clotting. Taking Japanese apricot flower extracts along with medications that also slow 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 lower blood sugar: Japanese apricot might lower blood sugar. Using it along with other herbs and supplements that might also lower blood sugar may cause blood sugar levels to drop too low. Some of these products are devil's claw, fenugreek, guar gum, Panax ginseng, and Siberian ginseng.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Japanese apricot flower extract might slow blood clotting. There is some concern that taking Japanese apricot extract along with other natural products that have this same effect might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. Some other herbs with that can slow blood clotting include angelica, clove, danshen, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, and many others. Don't use Japanese apricot with any of these.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Japanese apricot flower extract might slow blood clotting. There is some concern that taking Japanese apricot extract along with other natural products that have this same effect might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. Some other herbs with that can slow blood clotting include angelica, clove, danshen, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, and many others. Don't use Japanese apricot with any of these.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
Japanese apricot contains chemicals that might kill cancer cells and certain bacteria. Japanese apricot might also help to prevent heart disease by lowering levels of fat in the blood and allowing the blood to flow better.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 26/08/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 20/11/2020 02:27:10. 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.
