Background

Jequirity is a climbing plant. The roots, leaves, and beans have been used as medicine.

Jequirity is poisonous. Despite serious safety concerns, some people take jequirity by mouth for asthma, constipation, liver disease, and other conditions. But there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: Jequirity is LIKELY UNSAFE. Jequirity contains a chemical called abrin. Abrin is a poison and can cause death, even at low doses. Symptoms of toxicity include stomach cramping, followed by vomiting and severe diarrhea that can become bloody. Other symptoms include seizures, weakness, a fast heart rate, and liver or kidney failure. Symptoms can happen within hours or appear up to several days later. Death can occur after 3-4 days of persistent stomach problems and other symptoms.

When seeds come in contact with the skin, they can cause swelling, irritation, and severe eye problems.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

While jequirity bean isn't safe for anyone to take, some people should be particularly careful to avoid use.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Jequirity is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Jequirity contains a chemical called abrin, which is a poison. Also, jequirity might cause labor to start. Avoid use.

Children: Jequirity is UNSAFE in children. Children are attracted to the bright colors of the seed, which is unfortunate since children are particularly sensitive to the toxic effects of jequirity bean. Children can die after swallowing just one seed. If exposure to jequirity bean is suspected, get immediate medical assistance.

Bleeding disorder: Jequirity might slow blood clotting. In theory, this might make bleeding disorders worse.

Diabetes: Jequirity might lower blood sugar. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use jequirity.

Surgery: Jequirity might slow blood clotting or lower blood sugar. In theory, jequirity might increase the risk of bleeding and interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgical procedures. Stop using jequirity at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of jequirity 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 jequirity. 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 changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Jequirity might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Jequirity might lower blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking jequirity 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, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and others.

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Jequirity might slow blood clotting. Taking jequirity 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), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as 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: Jequirity might lower blood sugar. Using it with other herbs and supplements that have this same effect might increase the risk of low blood sugar in some people. Some of these products 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 slow blood clotting: Jequirity might slow blood clotting. Using jequirity along with other herbs and supplements that can slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Some of these herbs and supplements include angelica, clove, danshen, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, and others.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.

Action

The jequirity plant contains many chemicals. Some chemicals in the leaves and root may help with allergy symptoms, improve blood sugar levels, slow blood clotting, reduce swelling, and kill bacteria, tapeworms, or cancer cells. Jequirity bean contains abrin, which is toxic to cells in the body.