Guaiac (Guaiacum officinale) is a tree. The wood and sap (resin) of the tree are used to prepare medicinal extracts.
As a flavoring agent, guaiac wood is used in foods and in edible oils and fats. In the laboratory, guaiac resin is used in tests for finding hidden blood in urine and stool.
People use guaiac wood and resin for conditions such as muscle and joint pain and for preventing gout, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Uses & Effectiveness
We currently have no information for GUAIAC WOOD overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Guaiac wood and guaiac resin are used as flavorings in food. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if higher doses are safe. Higher doses have been reported to cause some side effects, including diarrhea and stomach and intestinal problems. Guaiac wood and guaiac resin can also cause skin rashes.
Special Precautions and Warnings
When taken by mouth: Guaiac wood and guaiac resin are used as flavorings in food. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if higher doses are safe. Higher doses have been reported to cause some side effects, including diarrhea and stomach and intestinal problems. Guaiac wood and guaiac resin can also cause skin rashes.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if guaiac wood is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
Lithium interacts with GUAIAC WOOD
Guaiac wood and resin might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking guaiac wood and resin might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of guaiac wood 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.
Hirose, M., Masuda, A., Ito, N., Kamano, K., and Okuyama, H. Effects of dietary perilla oil, soybean oil and safflower oil on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and 1,2-dimethyl-hydrazine (DMH)-induced mammary gland and colon carcinogenesis in female SD rats. Carcinogenesis 1990;11(5):731-735. View abstract.
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
Ibrahim S, Naqvi S, Perveen R, et al. Hepatoprotective and antidiabetic effect of Guaiacum officinale in diabetes induced male albino wistar rats. Pak J Pharm Sci 2019;32(5(Supplementary)):2251-2256. View abstract.
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.