Overview

Cashew is a tree that is native to Brazil. It also grows in parts of Asia and Africa. Its nut, also known as cashew, is commonly eaten as food. People also use the nut to make medicine.

Cashew is used for diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, stomach and intestinal (gastrointestinal) ailments, skin problems, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work ?

Cashew contains chemicals that might work against certain bacteria. Some of the fats in cashew might help to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.

Cashew contains chemicals that might work against certain bacteria. Some of the fats in cashew might help to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

We currently have no information for CASHEW overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Cashew is LIKELY SAFE in normal food amounts. It is POSSIBLY SAFE when used as a medicine at up to 11% of calories in the diet. Some people are allergic to cashew. Cashew nuts may also cause bloating, constipation, weight gain, and joint swelling in some people. But these side effects are rare.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if cashew is safe. If the unroasted cashew is used it might cause skin irritation, redness, and blisters. Some people are allergic to cashew when touched.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Cashew is LIKELY SAFE in normal food amounts. It is POSSIBLY SAFE when used as a medicine at up to 11% of calories in the diet. Some people are allergic to cashew. Cashew nuts may also cause bloating, constipation, weight gain, and joint swelling in some people. But these side effects are rare.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if cashew is safe. If the unroasted cashew is used it might cause skin irritation, redness, and blisters. Some people are allergic to cashew when touched.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if cashew is safe to use as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick with food amounts.

Allergy to certain other nuts or pectin: Cashew might cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to hazelnut, Brazil nut, pistachio, almond, peanut, sumac, mango, pink peppercorn, citrus seeds, yuzu, or pectin. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking cashew.

Diabetes: Eating large amounts of cashew might increase blood sugar levels. But not all research agrees. If you have diabetes and use cashew, be sure to monitor you blood sugar carefully. The doses of your diabetes medications might need to be adjusted.

Surgery: Since cashew might affect blood sugar levels, there is some concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop eating large amounts of cashew at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions ?

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with CASHEW

    Cashew might increase blood sugar when eaten in large amounts. Diabetes medications are used to lower blood sugar. Taking cashew along with diabetes medications might decrease the effects of diabetes medications. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.

    Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of cashew for use as treatment 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 cashew. 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.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.