www.malaysianherbals.com ---Java Brucea (ya dan zi) --(116)

  Java Brucea                    http://www.sidhhaherbs.blogspot.com

The java brucea is a type of deciduous tree native to the mountains of China, India and Indonesia. In China, it is produced mainly in the Guangdong and  provinces. It can reach a height of approximately 20 feet, and produces small, berry-like fruits. The seeds are used medicinally; they are typically harvested in the late summer. After ripening, the fruit is picked and dried in the sun, after which the seeds are harvested for use.
According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, java brucea seed has bitter, cold, and slightly toxic properties, and is associated with the Large Intestine and Liver meridians. It has been used for centuries to treat dysentery and malaria. Externally, it can be made into an ointment to treat foot problems such as corns, and skin conditions such as warts. There is also some evidence that brucea, in combination with longan, may be effective in treating some types of cancerous tumors.

How much java brucea should I take?

The typical dose of java brucea for adults is between 5 and 12 seeds, taken up to three times per day. Some practitioners may recommend larger doses (15-30 seeds) depending on the condition being treated. Java brucea can also be applied externally as a cream or ointment.

What can happen if I take too much java brucea? Are there any interactions I should be aware of? What precautions should I take?

Because of its toxic properties, java brucea should not be taken by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, nor should it be given to small children.B In addition, it should not be taken by patients with nausea and vomiting, or those with pre-existing liver or kidney disorders.

As of this writing, there are no known drug interactions associated with java brucea. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking java brucea or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.

Medicinal use

The fruit Brucea javanica was first written about as medicine in the Chinese medical monograph Omissions from the Grand Materia Medica, written in 1765. It contains quassinoid compounds called bruceolides that are anticancer and antiparasitic. It is traditionally used to treat dysentery and malaria, though no clinical trials have been published confirming efficacy for these conditions despite test tube studies repeatedly showing anti-malarial activity. An injectable oil emulsion form of the plant has been studied in China in controlled trials for treating lung cancer patients combined with chemotherapy, with promising results. More high-quality trials are needed to confirm this use.

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