Chaulmoogra
Chaulmoogra

Background

Chaulmoogra is an herb. People use the seed to make medicine.

Despite serious safety concerns, people put chaulmoogra powder, oil, emulsion, or ointment on the skin to treat skin problems including psoriasis and eczema.

Chaulmoogra is given intravenously (by IV) for leprosy. This is not surprising since the first drugs used for treating leprosy used chemicals found in chaulmoogra seeds.
Chaulmoogra is UNSAFE when taken by mouth because it contains cyanide and might cause cyanide poisoning. It can cause cough, difficulty breathing, throat spasms, kidney damage, visual disorders, head and muscle pain, and paralysis when taken by mouth.

The safety of applying chaulmoogra to the skin is unknown. It can cause skin irritation.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of chaulmoogra during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Effectiveness

NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Likely effective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
Likely ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
  • Psoriasis, when applied to the skin.
  • Eczema, when applied to the skin.
  • Other skin disorders, when applied to the skin.
  • Leprosy, when given intravenously.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of chaulmoogra for these uses.

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of chaulmoogra 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 chaulmoogra. 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.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

It is not known if Chaulmoogra interacts with any medicines. Before taking Chaulmoogra, 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.

Action

Chaulmoogra might have calming- and fever-reducing properties. It might also have activity against skin disorders. Some animal research suggests it might harm the bacterium that causes leprosy.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 23/10/2022 05:40:39 and last updated on 24/12/2012 22:45:49. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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