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

Overview

Lychee (Litchi chinensis) is a medium-sized evergreen tree native to China, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Its fruit is eaten as food and also used as medicine.

Lychee fruit contain chemicals that might help reduce swelling and reduce pain. It might also stimulate the immune system and work as an antioxidant.

People use lychee for cough, fever, pain, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse lychee with goji. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Lychee overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Lychee is commonly consumed as food. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if lychee is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine. Some people might be allergic to lychee.

Special Precautions and Warnings

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

"Auto-immune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Lychee might cause the immune system to become more active. This might increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. Use lychee with caution if you have an auto-immune condition.

Allergies: Lychee might cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to birch, sunflower seeds and other plants from the same family, mugwort, and latex.

Surgery: Lychee might lower blood sugar levels. This might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using lychee at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with Lychee
Lychee might lower blood sugar levels. Taking lychee along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with Lychee
Lychee can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking lychee along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications.

Dosing

Lychee fruits are commonly eaten as food. As medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of lychee might be. 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 a healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

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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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