Cubebs
OTHER NAME(S): Cubeb, Cubeb Berries, Cubeba officinalis, Cubèbe, Java Pepper, Kabab Chini, Kankol, Pimienta de Java, Poivre Cubèbe, Poivre de Java, Poivre à Queue, Poivrier Cubèbe, Sheetal, Tailed Chubebs, Tailed Pepper, Piper cubeba, Cubeba, Cubèbe
Overview
Cubebs is an herb. The dried, unripe fruit of cubebs is used to make medicine.
People use cubebs for parasitic infections, bacterial infections, diarrhea, gonorrhea, enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In foods, cubebs oil is used as a flavoring ingredient.
Cubebs contains chemicals that can damage cancer cells and bacteria and help to kill them.
Cubebs contains chemicals that can damage cancer cells and bacteria and help to kill them.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Increasing urination.
- Amoebic dysentery.
- Bacterial infections.
- Intestinal gas (flatulence).
- Diarrhea.
- Gonorrhea.
- Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH).
- Cancer.
- Loosening mucus.
- Reducing swelling.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of cubebs for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Cubebs is LIKELY SAFE when eaten in the amounts found in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use in the amounts found in medicine or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Cubebs is LIKELY SAFE when eaten in the amounts found in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use in the amounts found in medicine or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if cubebs is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Infection or swelling (inflammation) of the stomach or intestines (gastrointestinal tract, GI tract): Cubebs might irritate the GI tract. Don't use it if you have a stomach or intestinal problem.
Kidney disease (nephritis): Cubebs might irritate the kidneys. Don't use cubebs if you have kidney disease.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with CubebsSome medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Cubebs might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking cubebs along with some medications might increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking cubebs, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver. Some medications changed by the liver include lovastatin (Mevacor), clarithromycin (Biaxin), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), diltiazem (Cardizem), estrogens, indinavir (Crixivan), triazolam (Halcion), and many others.
Minor Interaction
Be watchful with this combination
- Medications that decrease stomach acid (Proton pump inhibitors) interacts with CubebsCubebs might increase stomach acid. By increasing stomach acid, cubebs might decrease the effectiveness of medications that are used to decrease stomach acid called proton pump inhibitors. Some medications that decrease stomach acid include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium).
- Antacids interacts with CubebsAntacids are used to neutralize stomach acid. Cubebs may increase stomach acid. By increasing stomach acid, cubebs might decrease the effectiveness of antacids. Some antacids include calcium carbonate (Tums, others), dihydroxyaluminum sodium carbonate (Rolaids, others), magaldrate (Riopan), magnesium sulfate (Bilagog), aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel), and others.
- Medications that decrease stomach acid (H2-blockers) interacts with CubebsCubebs might increase stomach acid. By increasing stomach acid, cubebs might decrease the effectiveness of some medications that decrease stomach acid, called H2-blockers. Some medications that decrease stomach acid include cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), nizatidine (Axid), and famotidine (Pepcid).
Dosing
The appropriate dose of cubebs 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 cubebs. 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.
References
- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
- Williamson EM, Evans FJ, eds. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. Essex, England: CW Daniel Company Ltd., 1998.
- Rajalekshmi DS, Kabeer FA, Madhusoodhanan AR, et al. Anticancer activity studies of cubebin isolated from Piper cubeba and its synthetic derivatives. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016;26(7):1767-71. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.02.041. Epub 2016 Feb 16.
- Yam J, Schaab A, Kreuter M, Drewe J. Piper cubeba demonstrates anti-estrogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Planta Med 2008;74(2):142-6. doi: 10.1055/s-2008-1034290. Epub 2008 Jan 24.
- Usia T, Watabe T, Kadota S, Tezuka Y. Potent CYP3A4 inhibitory constituents of Piper cubeba. J Nat Prod 2005;68(1):64-8.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 172 -- Food additives permitted for direct addition to food for human consumption. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=172.510