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Candlenut Tree

Compilation by Armando Gonzalez Stuart, PhD

Scientific Name:

Aleurites moluccana

Botanical Family:

Euphorbiaceae

Other Common Name:

Akhoda, Belgaum walnut,  Candleberry, Country walnut, Dau lai, Indian walnut, Jamaican walnut,  Kukui, Lumbang oil, Shi Li Zi, Tuitui, Nois des Moluques,  Otaheite walnut, Singapore nut.

Common names in Spanish:

Árbol de Indias, Avellano, Nogal de la India, Nuez de Brasil, Nuez de la India, Palo de la India, Palo de nuez.

Where is it found?

The tree is originally from Indonesia, but is now cultivated in the West Indies and South America, especially in Brazil.

  • Some ads incorrectly mention that this tree is native to the Amazon region

Parts of the plant used:

  • The fruits, leaves, and seeds

How is it used?

  • The seed oil is used to light torches
  • The seed is used in very small amounts as a condiment, because of its irritating and purgative action
  • Somewhat recently, certain companies have touted the seed as a “natural remedy” to lose weight
  • Some ads on the internet mention that a very small portion of the seed should be boiled in water prior to taking it before bedtime, although no exact dose has been specified

What is it used for?

  • The fruits, leaves, and seeds are used in traditional Asian medicine for the treatment of various health issues including:
  • Headache
  • Morning sickness during pregnancy (taking the seed during pregnancy is dangerous and should be avoided)
  • Fever
  •  Inflammation
  • Gonorrhea (a sexually-transmitted disease or STD)
  • To lower cholesterol levels  in the blood
  • Certain internet sites  mention the seed is useful for a great variety of health conditions including arthritis, baldness, cellulite, constipation, hemorrhoids, to improve skin conditions, as an appetite suppressant, and to stop smoking
  • However, there are no known published studies to confirm any of the supposed “health benefits”
  • The potential toxicity of the seeds and other parts of the plant is due to compounds that are irritating  and act as strong purgatives
  • The same compounds  also act as potent tumor promoters
  • Ingestion of the seeds causes vomiting, gastrointestinal pain, and diarrhea

 

Safety / Precautions

Safety/Precautions:

  • Various countries across the world have banned the seed due to its confirmed toxicity
  • There are no known clinical studies to verify the seeds’ efficacy or safety for weight loss or any other health claims
  • Avoid during pregnancy and lactation, as well as in small children, and the elderly.
  • The seeds can have a drastic purgative action
  • Patients suffering from any form of liver, heart or kidney disease should avoid ingesting the seed
  • Some people may be allergic to the leaves or seeds

Before you decide to take any medicinal herb or herbal supplement, be sure to consult with your health care professional first. Avoid self-diagnosis and self-medication: Always be on the safe side!

 

References:

  • AEMPS /Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios. (2012). Retirada del producto nuez de la india-magicnuez https://www.aemps.gob.es/informa/notasInformativas/medicamentosUsoHumano/medIlegales/2012/docs/ICM_MI_13-2012.pdf
    Retreived May 4, 2017.
  • ANVISA /Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria. (2016). Noz da Índia está proibida no Brasil. http://portal.anvisa.gov.br/en/noticias/-/asset_publisher/FXrpx9qY7FbU/content/noz-da-india-esta-proibida-no-brasil/219201/pop_up?_101_INSTANCE_FXrpx9qY7FbU_viewMode=print&_101_INSTANCE_FXrpx9qY7FbU_languageId=pt_BR Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  • 9Ahora (2017a). Nuez de la India, la semilla dietética que puede provocar la muerte.
    https://9ahora.com.ar/nuez-de-la-india-la-semilla-dietetica-que-puede-provocar-la-muerte-190835/ Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  • 9Ahora (2017b). Alertan por el consumo de la Nuez de la India, usada para adelgazar.
    https://9ahora.com.ar/alerta-por-los-riesgos-de-la-nuez-de-la-india-usada-para-adelgazar-190759/ Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  • Duke J, and Ayensu E. (1985). Medicinal Plants of China Vol. 1.
    Algonac, MI: Reference Publications; p. 301.
  • Herbal Medicine Research Centre (2002). Compendium of Medicinal Plants used in Malaysia.
    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Institute for Medical Research; p. 27.
  • Hocking G. A Dictionary of Natural Products.
    Medford, NJ: Plexus; 1997; p 30.
  • Lin TJ, Hsu CI, Lee KH, Shiu LL, Deng JF. (1996). Two outbreaks of acute Tung Nut (Aleurites fordii) poisoning. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. ;34(1):87-92.
  • Liogier, AH. (1990). Plantas Medicinales de Puerto Rico y el Caribe.
    San Juan, PR: p.
  • Mabberley, D J.(2008). Mabberley’s Plant Book 3rd ed.
    London: Cambridge University Press; p. 26.
  • McKenzie, R. (2012). Australia’s Poisonous Plants, Fungi and Cyanobacteria.
    Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing; p. 723.
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    Springer-Verlag; 2007; pp. 70-71.
  • Nuñez-Meléndez, E. (1990). Plantas Venenosas de Puerto Rico y Las Que Causan Dermatitis.
    San Juan, PR: Editorial Universitaria de Puerto Rico; pp. 107-108.
  • Ostraff M, Anitoni K, Nicholson A, Booth GM. Traditional Tongan cures for morning sickness and their mutagenic/toxicological evaluations. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000; 71(1-2):201-9.
  • Pedrosa RC, Meyre-Silva C, Cechinel-Filho V, Benassi JC, Oliveira LF, Zancanaro V, Dal Magro J, Yunes RA. Hypolipidaemic activity of methanol extract of Aleurites moluccana. Phytother Res. 2002; 16(8):765-8.
  • Perry, L. (1988). Medicinal Plants of East and Southeast Asia.
    Boston, MA: MIT Press; p 137.
  • Pfrohne D, and Pfander, J. (2005). Poisonous Plants 2 nd ed.
    Portland OR: Timber Press; p. 183.
  • Pinillos, MA, Beaumont, C, Jean Louis, C., Rubio, C., Martínez Jarauta, J., & Velilla, N. Intoxicación Por “Nuez De La India” (Aleurites Moluccana). (2007). Revista De Toxicología, 24 (2y3). http://rev.aetox.es/wp/wp-content/uploads/hemeroteca/vol24-2/revtox.24.2-3.2007.pdf Retrieved May 27, 2017.
  • Ramírez L. Expertos piden prohibir nuez de la India. La Nación -28 de mayo de 2009 http://www.lanacion.cl/prontus_noticias_v2/site/artic/20090527/pags/20090527220633.html (accessed 5-27-17).
  • Van Wyk E, and Wink M. (2014). Phytomedicines, Herbal Drugs, and Poisons.
    Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press; pp. 57,100.
  • Van Wyk E, and Wink M. (2008). Mind-Altering and Poisonous Plants of the World.
    Portland, OR: Timber Press; pp. 46, 320-321.
  • Wagstaff J. International Poisonous Plant Checklist: An Evidence-Based Reference. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2008; p. 15.