GRAINS OF PARADISE: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Grains of paradise is a plant that is related to ginger. The seeds are used as a spice and as medicine.

Be careful not to confuse grains of paradise with capsicum. Both are known as grains of paradise.

People use grains of paradise for conditions such as diarrhea, heart disease, obesity, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work ?

Chemicals in the seeds of grains of paradise seem to decrease swelling (inflammation), kill certain bacteria, and help burn body fat.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

Cancer.
Diabetes.
Diarrhea.
Heart disease.
Indigestion (dyspepsia).
Infections of the kidney, bladder, or urethra (urinary tract infections or UTIs).
Obesity.
Sexual problems that prevent satisfaction during sexual activity.
Stomach ulcers.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of grains of paradise for this use.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Grains of paradise extracts are POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth, short term. There isn't enough reliable information to know if grains of paradise extracts are safe when taken by mouth long-term.

Special Precautions and Warnings

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

Interactions

We currently have no information for GRAINS OF PARADISE overview.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of grains of paradise 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 grains of paradise. 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.

View References

REFERENCES:

Hryb, D. J., Khan, M. S., Romas, N. A., and Rosner, W. The effect of extracts of the roots of the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) on the interaction of SHBG with its receptor on human prostatic membranes. Planta Med 1995;61(1):31-32. View abstract.

Huber, R., Bross, F., Schempp, C., and Grundemann, C. Arnica and stinging nettle for treating burns - a self-experiment. Complement Ther.Med. 2011;19(5):276-280. View abstract.

Jacquet, A., Girodet, P. O., Pariente, A., Forest, K., Mallet, L., and Moore, N. Phytalgic, a food supplement, vs placebo in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Arthritis Res.Ther. 2009;11(6):R192. View abstract.

Klingelhoefer, S., Obertreis, B., Quast, S., and Behnke, B. Antirheumatic effect of IDS 23, a stinging nettle leaf extract, on in vitro expression of T helper cytokines. J Rheumatol. 1999;26(12):2517-2522. View abstract.

Koch, E. Extracts from Fruits of Saw Palmetto (Sabal serrulata) and Roots of Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica): Viable Alternatives in the Medical Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Associated Lower Urinary Tracts Symptoms. Planta Med 2001;67(6):489-500. View abstract.

Konieczynski, P. and Wesolowski, M. Water-extractable magnesium, manganese and copper in leaves and herbs of medicinal plants. Acta Pol.Pharm. 2012;69(1):33-39. View abstract.

Krzeski, T., Kazon, M., Borkowski, A., Witeska, A., and Kuczera, J. Combined extracts of Urtica dioica and Pygeum africanum in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: double-blind comparison of two doses. Clin Ther 1993;15(6):1011-1020. View abstract.

Hattori H, Yamauchi K, Onwona-Agyeman S, Mitsunaga T. Identification of vanilloid compounds in grains of paradise and their effects on sympathetic nerve activity. J Sci Food Agric 2018;98(12):4742-8. View abstract.

Ilic N, Schmidt BM, Poulev A, Raskin I. Toxicological evaluation of Grains of Paradise (Aframomum melegueta) [Roscoe] K. Shum. J Ethnopharmacol 2010;127:352-6. View abstract.

Ilic NM, Dey M, Poulev AA, Logendra S, Kuhn PE, Raskin I. Anti-inflammatory activity of grains of paradise (Aframomum melegueta Schum) extract. J Agric Food Chem 2014;62(43):10452-7. View abstract.

Ngwoke KG, Chevallier O, Wirkom VK, Stevenson P, Elliott CT, Situ C. In vitro bactericidal activity of diterpenoids isolated from Aframomum melegueta K.Schum against strains of Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. J Ethnopharmacol 2014;151(3):1147-54. View abstract.

Reid D. A handbook of Chinese healing herbs. Boston, MA:Shambhala, 1995.

Sugita J, Yoneshiro T, Hatano T, et al. Grains of paradise (Aframomum melegueta) extract activates brown adipose tissue and increases whole-body energy expenditure in men. Br J Nutr 2013;110(4):733-8. View abstract.

Sugita J, Yoneshiro T, Sugishima Y, et al. Daily ingestion of grains of paradise (Aframomum melegueta) extract increases whole-body energy expenditure and decreases visceral fat in humans. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2014;60(1):22-7. View abstract.

Yoneshiro T, Matsushita M, Sugita J, et al. Prolonged Treatment with Grains of Paradise (Aframomum melegueta) Extract Recruits Adaptive Thermogenesis and Reduces Body Fat in Humans with Low Brown Fat Activity. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2021;67(2):99-104. 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.

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