Babassu: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Babassu is a type of palm tree that grows in Brazil. People use parts of the fruit and the oil found in the kernels to make medicine.

People use babassu for conditions such as cancer, infections of the kidney, bladder, or urethra (urinary tract infections or UTIs), wounds, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Babassu contains chemicals that can reduce swelling (inflammation) and slow blood clotting.

How does it work ?

Babassu contains chemicals that can reduce swelling (inflammation) and slow blood clotting.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

Cancer.
Constipation.
Swelling (inflammation) of the stomach (gastritis).
Obesity.
Pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Infections of the kidney, bladder, or urethra (urinary tract infections or UTIs).
Poor circulation that can lead to varicose veins and other conditions (venous insufficiency).
Wound healing.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate babassu for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if babassu is safe or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if babassu is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if babassu is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Bleeding disorders: Babassu might slow blood clotting. In theory, babassu might increase the risk of bruising or bleeding in some people with bleeding disorders.

Surgery: Babassu might slow blood clotting. There is a concern that it might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop taking babassu at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone) or goiter: Babassu might decrease thyroid function. This might make certain conditions, such as hypothyroidism or goiter, worse.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications for an overactive thyroid (Antithyroid drugs) interacts with Babassu
Babassu might decrease thyroid function. Taking babassu along with medications for an overactive thyroid might decrease thyroid function too much. Don't take babassu if you are taking medications for an overactive thyroid.

Some of these medications include methimazole (Tapazole), potassium iodide (Thyro-Block), and others.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with Babassu
Babassu might slow blood clotting. Taking babassu 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), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of babassu 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 babassu. 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.

View References

REFERENCES:

Batista, C. P., Torres, O. J., Matias, J. E., Moreira, A. T., Colman, D., Lima, J. H., Macri, M. M., Rauen, R. J., Jr., Ferreira, L. M., and de Freitas, A. C. [Effect of watery extract of Orbignya phalerata (babassu) in the gastric healing in rats: morphological and tensiometric study]. Acta Cir Bras 2006;21 Suppl 3:26-32.

Brito Filho, S. B., Matias, J. E., Stahlke Junior, H. J., Torres, O. J., Timi, J. R., Tenorio, S. B., Tambara, E. M., Carstens, A. G., Campos, R. V., and Myamoto, M. [Analysis of healing in the Alba Linea with the use of Orbignya phalerata (babassu) water extract. Controlled study in rats]. Acta Cir Bras 2006;21 Suppl 3:76-88.

Nascimento, F. R., Barroqueiro, E. S., Azevedo, A. P., Lopes, A. S., Ferreira, S. C., Silva, L. A., Maciel, M. C., Rodriguez, D., and Guerra, R. N. Macrophage activation induced by Orbignya phalerata Mart. J Ethnopharmacol 2006;103(1):53-58.

Baldez, R. N., Malafaia, O., Czeczko, N. G., Martins, N. L., Ferreira, L. M., Ribas, C. A., Salles, Junior G., Del Claro, R. P., Santos Lde, O., Graca Neto, L., and Araujo, L. R. [Healing of colonic anastomosis with the use of extract aqueous of Orbignya phalerata (Babassu) in rats]. Acta Cir Bras 2006;21 Suppl 2:31-38.

da Silva, B. P. and Parente, J. P. An anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory polysaccharide from Orbignya phalerata. Fitoterapia 2001;72(8):887-893.

Azevedo, A. P., Farias, J. C., Costa, G. C., Ferreira, S. C., Aragao-Filho, W. C., Sousa, P. R., Pinheiro, M. T., Maciel, M. C., Silva, L. A., Lopes, A. S., Barroqueiro, E. S., Borges, M. O., Guerra, R. N., and Nascimento, F. R. Anti-thrombotic effect of chronic oral treatment with Orbignya phalerata Mart. J Ethnopharmacol 2007;111(1):155-159.

Gaitan, E., Cooksey, R. C., Legan, J., Lindsay, R. H., Ingbar, S. H., and Medeiros-Neto, G. Antithyroid effects in vivo and in vitro of babassu and mandioca: a staple food in goiter areas of Brazil. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;131(2):138-144.

Amorim, E., Matias, J. E., Coelho, J. C., Campos, A. C., Stahlke, H. J., Jr., Timi, J. R., Rocha, L. C., Moreira, A. T., Rispoli, D. Z., and Ferreira, L. M. [Topic use of aqueous extract of Orbignya phalerata (babassu) in rats: analysis of its healing effect]. Acta Cir Bras 2006;21 Suppl 2:67-76.

Ferreira Ede, C., Matias, J. E., Campos, A. C., Tambara Filho, R., Rocha, L. C., Timi, J. R., Sado, H. N., Sakamoto, D. G., Tolazzi, A. R., and Soares Filho Mde, P. [Surgical bladder wounds treated with Orbignya phalerata aqueous extract: controlled study in rats]. Acta Cir Bras 2006;21 Suppl 3:33-39.

Martins, N. L., Malafaia, O., Ribas-Filho, J. M., Heibel, M., Baldez, R. N., Vasconcelos, P. R., Moreira, H., Mazza, M., Nassif, P. A., and Wallbach, T. Z. [Healing process in cutaneous surgical wounds in rats under the influence of Orbignya phalerata aqueous extract]. Acta Cir Bras 2006;21 Suppl 3:66-75.

Marques, S. G., Silva Cde, M., Saldanha, P. C., Rezende, M. A., Vicente, V. A., Queiroz-Telles, F., and Costa, J. M. Isolation of Fonsecaea pedrosoi from the shell of the babassu coconut (Orbignya phalerata Martius) in the Amazon region of Maranhao Brazil. Nippon Ishinkin Gakkai Zasshi 2006;47(4):305-311.

Silva, C. M., da Rocha, R. M., Moreno, J. S., Branco, M. R., Silva, R. R., Marques, S. G., and Costa, J. M. [The coconut babacu (Orbignya phalerata martins) as a probable risk of human infection by the agent of chromoblastomycosis in the State of Maranhao, Brazil]. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 1995;28(1):49-52.

Amorim E, Saad Junior R, Salgado Filho N, et al. The effects of aqueous extract of babassu (Orbignya phalerata) on the pleura and lung parenchyma in rats. Acta Cir Bras 2016;31(4):243-9. doi: 10.1590/S0102-865020160040000004.

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Santos AR, Coelho KL, Coelho CA. Effects of low fat and babassu fat diets on nutritional status in obstructive cholestasis in young rats. Acta Cir Bras 2008;23(1):4-10.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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