Attalea speciosa, Babaçu, Babassou, Babassu Coconut, Babassu Palm Tree, Babussupalme, Cusí, Cusi Palm, Orbignya barbosiana, Orbignya heubneri, Orbignya martiana, Orbignya oleifera, Orbignya phalerata, Orbignya speciosa.
Babassu is a type of tree. People use the fruit, oil, and residues to make medicine.
Babassu is used for many conditions. So far, there isn't enough scientific evidence to determine whether or not it is effective for any of them.
Babassu is taken by mouth for arthritis, cancer, constipation, stomach and intestine swelling, swelling or infection of the female genital tract, obesity, pain, and diseases of the veins.
Some people also apply babassu to the skin for ulcers (sores), swelling or infections of the female genital tract, and wound healing.
How does work?
Babassu fruit contains a chemical called MP1 glucan that reduces early stages of inflammation (swelling). Babassu also contains chemicals that slow blood clotting, decrease thyroid function, stimulate the immune system, repel insects, and promote wound healing.
Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
- Arthritis.
- Cancer.
- Constipation.
- Stomach and intestine swelling.
- Swelling or infection of the female genital tract.
- Obesity.
- Pain.
- Diseases of the veins.
- Ulcers (sores).
- Wound healing.
- Other conditions.
QUESTION
Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See AnswerThere isn't enough reliable information available about babassu to know if it is safe.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking babassu if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Bleeding disorder: 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. Don't use it.
Medications for an overactive thyroid (Antithyroid drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Babassu might decrease thyroid function. Taking babassu along with medications for an overactive thyroid might decrease the thyroid too much. Don't take babassu if you are taking medications for an overactive thyroid.
Some of these medications include methenamine mandelate (Methimazole), methimazole (Tapazole), potassium iodide (Thyro-Block), and others.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Babassu might slow blood clotting. Taking babassu 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.
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.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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. View abstract.
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. View abstract.
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. View abstract.
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. View abstract.
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. View abstract.
da Silva, B. P. and Parente, J. P. An anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory polysaccharide from Orbignya phalerata. Fitoterapia 2001;72(8):887-893. View abstract.
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. View abstract.
Freire, D. M., Sant'Anna, G. L., Jr., and Alves, T. L. Mathematical modeling of lipase and protease production by Penicillium restrictum in a batch fermenter. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 1999;77-79:845-855. View abstract.
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. View abstract.
Luz, C. and Batagin, I. Potential of oil-based formulations of Beauveria bassiana to control Triatoma infestans. Mycopathologia 2005;160(1):51-62. View abstract.
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. View abstract.
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. View abstract.
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. View abstract.
Oliveira, F. C., Freire, D. M., and Castilho, L. R. Production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) by solid-state fermentation with Ralstonia eutropha. Biotechnol Lett 2004;26(24):1851-1855. View abstract.
Palma, M. B., Pinto, A. L., Gombert, A. K., Seitz, K. H., Kivatinitz, S. C., Castilho, L. R., and Freire, D. M. Lipase production by Penicillium restrictum using solid waste of industrial babassu oil production as substrate. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2000;84-86:1137-1145. View abstract.
Sarubbo, L. A., Porto, A. L., and Campos-Takaki, G. M. The use of babassu oil as substrate to produce bioemulsifiers by Candida lipolytica. Can J Microbiol 1999;45(5):423-426. View abstract.
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. View abstract.