Cumaru (Dipteryx odorata): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Cumaru work as an anticoagulant?

Cumaru exerts its anticoagulant effects primarily through its high coumarin content. Coumarin and its derivatives, such as dihydrocoumarin, function by inhibiting vitamin K-dependent clotting factors in the liver, which helps prevent the formation of blood clots. Additionally, the herb's flavonoids and volatile oils contribute to spasmolytic and analgesic activities, relaxing smooth muscles and alleviating pain. Evidence for these specific mechanisms is rated Level C, based largely on pharmacological studies and traditional use rather than extensive clinical trials.

Can I take Tonka bean (Cumaru) with Warfarin or blood thinners?

No, Cumaru should not be taken with Warfarin or other anticoagulant medications. The herb naturally contains significant amounts of coumarin, which possesses blood-thinning properties. Combining it with prescription anticoagulants creates a major drug interaction that can potentiate effects, leading to a high risk of internal bleeding or hemorrhage. Due to this serious safety concern, Cumaru is strictly contraindicated for patients on blood-thinning therapy, and professional medical advice is required before use.

Is Cumaru safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

No, Cumaru is considered unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The active compound coumarin can cross the placenta and may cause bleeding complications or liver toxicity in the developing fetus. Similarly, these compounds can pass into breast milk and harm the nursing infant. Due to these risks and the potential for anticoagulant potentiation, pregnant and nursing women should strictly avoid Cumaru products. Safety evidence is rated Level C, based on pharmacological data and traditional contraindications.

What is the recommended dosage for Cumaru tincture?

Due to the potential for toxicity, Cumaru must be taken in very small doses. The typical adult dosage for tincture is 1-2 ml diluted in water, taken only under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional. Self-medication is strongly discouraged because the therapeutic window is narrow; exceeding recommended amounts can lead to severe side effects like liver damage. Dosage recommendations are based on traditional use (Evidence Level C) and should be strictly followed.

What are the side effects of Tonka bean?

The primary side effects of Tonka bean (Cumaru) are related to its coumarin content. High doses or prolonged use can result in liver toxicity and hepatotoxicity. Because the herb acts as an anticoagulant, other side effects include an increased risk of bleeding, bruising, and hemorrhaging. Individuals with liver disease are particularly vulnerable to these adverse effects. Evidence for these side effects is rated Level C, derived from case reports and known pharmacological properties of coumarin compounds.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Cumaru (Dipteryx odorata), commonly known as the tonka bean, is a Neotropical legume valued for its aromatic seeds and timber [PMID:41001278, PMID:28762091].

Contexte

Dipteryx odorata is a tree species native to the Amazonian region [PMID:36144574, PMID:41001278]. It is internationally recognized in the timber trade as cumaru and is appreciated for its aromatic seeds, known as tonka beans [PMID:41001278].

Composés actifs

The seeds contain coumarin (1,2-benzopyrone), dihydrocoumarin, melilotic acid (o-dihydrocoumaric acid), methyl melilotate, ethyl melilotate, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, and o-coumaric acid [PMID:7483862, PMID:36144574]. Other isolated constituents include dipteryxic acid (a cassane diterpene), 5-methoxyxanthocercin A (an isoflavonolignan), isoliquiritigenin, 6,4'-dihydroxy-3'-methoxyaurone, and sulfuretin [PMID:12762787]. Seeds also contain tocopherols, tocotrienols, and unsaturated lipids [PMID:41412663, PMID:41810626].

Mécanisme d'action

Coumarin derivatives may inhibit platelet aggregation by inhibiting the active form of GPIIb/IIIa on platelets and regulating cAMP and calcium ion release [PMID:35807298]. Some coumarin compounds exhibit free radical scavenging effects and may inhibit prostaglandin biosynthesis to reduce edema and inflammation [PMID:32534193]. Isoliquiritigenin from tonka bean acts as a quinone reductase inducer [PMID:16562858].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DPlatelet Aggregation

Coumarin derivatives inhibit ADP-induced platelet activation and aggregation [PMID:35807298]

Preuve DAntimicrobial Activity

Ethanolic extracts of D. odorata seeds exhibit antimicrobial activity against human pathogens including Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus licheniformis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [PMID:41596223, PMID:36144574]

Preuve DCancer Chemoprevention

Isoliquiritigenin from tonka bean exhibited 76% inhibition in a mouse mammary organ culture assay at 10 microg/mL [PMID:12762787]

Preuve DEstrogenic Activity

D. odorata isoflavone-rich extract was investigated in female rats to evaluate its ability to mimic or interfere with estrogens for potential use in hormone replacement therapy [PMID:30509138]

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Higher doses of coumarin are found to be hepatotoxic [PMID:32534193]. Cytotoxicity has been reported for higher doses of D. odorata seed extracts in human lymphocytes [PMID:41596223].

Interactions médicamenteuses

Coumarins may interact with vitamin K antagonists [PMID:22265646].

Synthèse des preuves

The evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies, animal models, and phytochemical analyses (Level D). There are no human clinical trials or systematic reviews provided for therapeutic efficacy.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 36354612 (2022) — Nutritional Composition of Tonka Bean (Dipteryx odorata) and Its Application as an Elder-Friendly Food with Gelling Agent. · Gels (Basel, Switzerland)
2.PMID: 36144574 (2022) — Identification of Coumarins and Antimicrobial Potential of Ethanolic Extracts of Dipteryx odorata and Dipteryx punctata. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 7483862 (1995) — HPLC analysis of tonka bean extracts. · Zeitschrift fur Lebensmittel-Untersuchung und -Forschung
4.PMID: 39109711 (2024) — Baru (Dipteryx alata): a comprehensive review of its nutritional value, functional foods, chemical composition, ethnopharmacology, pharmacological activities and benefits for human health. · Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia
5.PMID: 12762787 (2003) — Potential cancer chemopreventive constituents of the seeds of Dipteryx odorata (tonka bean).

Cumaru

Sources et citations

Calculer une dose sûre de Cumaru

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Questions fréquentes

Résumé

Contexte

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Interactions médicamenteuses

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales

Cumaru

Sources et citations

Calculer une dose sûre de Cumaru

Plantes associées

Populus nigra

Zatoun

Robinia pseudoacacia

Questions fréquentes

Résumé

Contexte

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Interactions médicamenteuses

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales