ANDIROBA: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Andiroba (Carapa guianensis) is a large tree native to South America. The bark and leaf, and oil from the fruit and seed, are sometimes used to make medicine.

Andiroba contains chemicals called limonoids. These chemicals seem to repel and kill mosquitoes and other insects. Other chemicals in andiroba might help the skin to heal faster from wounds.

Andiroba seed oil is used as a mosquito repellent. Various parts of the plant are used for cough, arthritis, wounds, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for ANDIROBA overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if andiroba is safe or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if andiroba is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if andiroba is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

We currently have no information for ANDIROBA overview.

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of andiroba 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.

View References

REFERENCES:

Hammer, M. L. and Johns, E. A. Tapping an Amazonian plethora: four medicinal plants of Marajo Island, Para (Brazil). J Ethnopharmacol 1993;40(1):53-75. View abstract.

Konan, Y. L., Sylla, M. S., Doannio, J. M., and Traore, S. Comparison of the effect of two excipients (karite nut butter and vaseline) on the efficacy of Cocos nucifera, Elaeis guineensis and Carapa procera oil-based repellents formulations against mosquitoes biting in Ivory Coast. Parasite 2003;10(2):181-184. View abstract.

Miot, H. A., Batistella, R. F., Batista, Kde A., Volpato, D. E., Augusto, L. S., Madeira, N. G., Haddad, V., Jr., and Miot, L. D. Comparative study of the topical effectiveness of the Andiroba oil (Carapa guianensis) and DEET 50% as repellent for Aedes sp. Rev Inst Med Trop.Sao Paulo 2004;46(5):253-256. View abstract.

Sylla, M., Konan, L., Doannio, J. M., and Traore, S. [Evaluation of the efficacity of coconut (Cocos nucifera), palm nut (Eleais guineensis) and gobi (Carapa procera) lotions and creams in indivirual protection against Simulium damnosum s.l. bites in Cote d'Ivoire]. Bull.Soc.Pathol.Exot. 2003;96(2):104-109. View abstract.

Costa-Silva JH, Lima CR, Silva EJ, et al. Acute and subacute toxicity of the Carapa guianensis Aublet (Meliaceae) seed oil. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008;116(3):495-500. View abstract.

Duke JA, Vasquez R. Amazonian Ethnobotanical Dictionary. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1994.

Miranda Júnior RN, Dolabela MF, da Silva MN, Póvoa MM, Maia JG. Antiplasmodial activity of the andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aubl., Meliaceae) oil and its limonoid-rich fraction. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 1;142(3):679-83. View abstract.

Nayak BS, Kanhai J, Milne DM, Pinto Pereira L, Swanston WH. Experimental evaluation of ethanolic extract of Carapa guianensis L. leaf for its wound healing activity using three wound models. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:419612. View abstract.

Prophiro JS, da Silva MA, Kanis LA, da Silva BM, Duque-Luna JE, da Silva OS. Evaluation of time toxicity, residual effect, and growth-inhibiting property of Carapa guianensis and Copaifera sp. in Aedes aegypti. Parasitol Res. 2012;110(2):713-9. View abstract.

Rodrigues de Oliveira F, Eleuterio Rodrigues K, Hamoy M, et al. Fatty acid amides synthesized from andiroba oil (Carapa guianensis Aublet.) exhibit anticonvulsant action with modulation on GABA-A receptor in mice: a putative therapeutic option. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2020 Mar 10;13(3):43. View abstract.

Sarria AL, Soares MS, Matos AP, Fernandes JB, Vieira PC, da Silva MF. Effect of triterpenoids and limonoids isolated from Cabralea canjerana and Carapa guianensis (Meliaceae) against Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith). Z Naturforsch C. 2011;66(5-6):245-50. View abstract.

Schultes RE, Raffauf RF. The Healing Forest, Medicinal and Toxic Plants of the Northwest Amazonia. Portland, OR: Dioscorides Press, 1990.

Soares ADS, Wanzeler AMV, Cavalcante GHS, Barros EMDS, Carneiro RCM, Tuji FM. Therapeutic effects of andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aubl) oil, compared to low power laser, on oral mucositis in children underwent chemotherapy: A clinical study. J Ethnopharmacol. 2021 Jan 10;264:113365. View abstract.

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