Overview

Chinese cucumber is an herb. People use the fruit, seed, and root to make medicine.

Chinese cucumber ROOT is taken by mouth or injected for HIV/AIDS, cough, cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. There is also concern that using Chinese cucumber root is unsafe.

Chinese cucumber FRUIT and SEED are taken by mouth for cough, diabetes, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work ?

Chinese cucumber ROOT contains a chemical that might cause abortions when injected during the first trimester of pregnancy. Chinese cucumber SEED might help decrease pain and swelling (inflammation). The FRUIT might also help protect against stomach ulcers.

Chinese cucumber ROOT contains a chemical that might cause abortions when injected during the first trimester of pregnancy. Chinese cucumber SEED might help decrease pain and swelling (inflammation). The FRUIT might also help protect against stomach ulcers.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Osteoarthritis.
  • HIV/AIDS.
  • Cough.
  • Fever.
  • Tumors.
  • Diabetes.
  • Causing an abortion, when the root is given as a shot or the fruit is applied to the vagina.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of Chinese cucumber for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Chinese cucumber FRUIT is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when used as food. The fruit can cause some mild side effects such as diarrhea and upset stomach. There isn't enough reliable information to know if Chinese cucumber FRUIT, SEED, or the unprocessed ROOT extract are safe when used as medicine.

When given as a shot: Unprocessed Chinese cucumber ROOT is LIKELY UNSAFE. Injections of unprocessed Chinese cucumber root can cause severe side effects, including allergic reactions, seizures, fever, fluid buildup in the lungs and brain, bleeding in the brain, heart damage, and death.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Chinese cucumber FRUIT is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when used as food. The fruit can cause some mild side effects such as diarrhea and upset stomach. There isn't enough reliable information to know if Chinese cucumber FRUIT, SEED, or the unprocessed ROOT extract are safe when used as medicine.

When given as a shot: Unprocessed Chinese cucumber ROOT is LIKELY UNSAFE. Injections of unprocessed Chinese cucumber root can cause severe side effects, including allergic reactions, seizures, fever, fluid buildup in the lungs and brain, bleeding in the brain, heart damage, and death.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is UNSAFE to take Chinese cucumber root, fruit, or seed by mouth or to have Chinese cucumber root administered by injection. Chinese cucumber ROOT can be toxic. Chinese cucumber FRUIT and SEED might cause an abortion or birth defects.

There isn't enough reliable information to know if Chinese cucumber root, fruit, or seed is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Surgery: Chinese cucumber might lower blood sugar levels. It might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using Chinese cucumber at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions ?

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with CHINESE CUCUMBER

    Chinese cucumber root might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking Chinese cucumber root along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. 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 Chinese cucumber 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 Chinese cucumber. 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.