Ackee
Ackee

Background

Ackee (Blighia sapida) is an evergreen tree that makes fruit. Ripe ackee fruit is commonly eaten as food in Jamaica. Unripe ackee fruit is poisonous.

The ripe ackee fruit contains fatty acids. The unripe ackee fruit contains poisonous chemicals that can cause dangerously low blood sugar, liver damage, and death. Most ackee products have been banned from import into the US due to concerns about poisoning from the unripe fruit.

People use ackee for many conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use. Eating unripe ackee fruit is unsafe.
When taken by mouth: The ripe ackee fruit is commonly eaten as a food. It's usually well-tolerated. But consuming the unripe ackee fruit is unsafe, even if it has been cooked. The unripe fruit contains poisonous chemicals that can cause dangerously low blood sugar, liver damage, severe vomiting, and death.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Unripe ackee fruit is unsafe when consumed while pregnant or breast-feeding. There isn't enough reliable information to know if the ripe ackee fruit is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: It is unsafe for children to consume unripe ackee fruit. Children are more sensitive to the toxic effects of ackee than adults. There isn't enough reliable information to know whether the ripe fruit is safe for children to eat.

Effectiveness

There is interest in using ackee for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Likely effective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
Likely ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions

Dosing & administration

The ripe ackee fruit is commonly eaten as food in Jamaica. As medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of ackee 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.

The unripe ackee fruit contains poisonous chemicals and is unsafe. Avoid use.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

It is not known if Ackee interacts with any medicines. Before taking Ackee, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 30/03/2023 11:00:00 and last updated on 12/09/2014 15:37:21. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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