Candlenut
OTHER NAME(S): Abrasin, Arbol Candil, Arbre à Huile du Japon, Balucanat, Candleberry, Candleberry Tree, Country Walnut, Indian Walnut, Kukui, Noix d'Abrasin, Noix de Bancoulier, Noyer de Bancoule, Noyer des Moluques, Nuez de la India, Otaheite Walnut, Varnish Tree, Aleurites moluccanus, Aleurites javanicus, Aleurites pentaphyllus, Aleurites remyi, Aleurites trilobus, Jatropha moluccana, Nuez de Candela, Noixnoix de bancoulier
Overview
Candlenut is the seed of the fruit produced by the candlenut tree (Aleurites moluccanus). The seed, seed oil, and kernel have sometimes been used as medicine.
While candlenuts resemble walnuts in appearance, candlenuts are extremely poisonous, even deadly, if they are eaten raw or undercooked. Candlenut contains various substances that might stimulate the bowels and cause sweating. It also contains toxic chemicals, such as cyanide.
People use candlenut for asthma and constipation and to encourage hair growth, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using candlenut can also be unsafe.
Uses
We currently have no information for Candlenut overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Candlenut is unsafe. It contains a chemical similar to cyanide as well as other poisons. Even one seed might cause severe poisoning. Candlenut can cause extreme stomach pain, violent vomiting, breathing problems, and possibly death.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if candlenut is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Candlenut is unsafe. It contains a chemical similar to cyanide as well as other poisons. Even one seed might cause severe poisoning. Candlenut can cause extreme stomach pain, violent vomiting, breathing problems, and possibly death.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if candlenut is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's unsafe for anyone to take candlenut by mouth. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, it could harm you as well as your baby.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Candlenut overview.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of candlenut 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.
References
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
- Duke JA. CRC handbook of medicinal herbs. 1st ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC, 1985.
- Duke JA. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. 2nd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC, 2002.
- O'Brien DR, Szymczuk V, Albaro CA. Weight loss supplement causing acute heart block in a child. Cardiol Young 2020;30(1):131-133.
- Lawani O, Winter M. Heart Block Initiated by Candlenut Ingestion. Case Rep Cardiol 2022;2022:3679968.
- de Britto Rosa MC, Ribeiro PR, de Oliveira Silva V, et al. Fatty acids composition and in vivo biochemical effects of Aleurites moluccana seed (Candlenut) in obese wistar rats. Diabetol Metab Syndr 2022;14(1):80.
- Koons AL, Laubach LT, Katz KD, Beauchamp GA. Mobitz Type II Atrioventricular Heart Block After Candlenut Ingestion. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2020;120(12):839-843.
- Gonzalez-Stuart AE, Ortiz Rivera J. Toxicity of candlenut seed (aleurites moluccanus), a purported weight loss supplement. Pharmacologia. 2017;8:25-31.