Barringtonia racemosa (Barringtonia racemosa): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Barringtonia racemosa work to reduce fever?

Barringtonia racemosa contains bioactive compounds including saponins, lupeol, flavonoids, and phenolics that contribute to its antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds are believed to inhibit inflammatory mediators and reduce prostaglandin synthesis, which helps lower elevated body temperature during fever. The plant's traditional use for fever treatment spans Malay, Indian, and Pacific medicine systems. Evidence level C indicates support from limited clinical studies and substantial traditional use, though the exact molecular mechanisms require further investigation through controlled research.

Is Barringtonia racemosa safe during pregnancy?

Barringtonia racemosa is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided entirely. The plant contains saponins that can cause toxicity and may potentially stimulate uterine contractions, posing risks to fetal development. Traditional medicine systems across Malaysia, India, and the Pacific Islands have historically contraindicated internal use in pregnant women. There is insufficient safety data for breastfeeding women as well. Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding should not use this herb in any form without explicit guidance from a qualified healthcare provider.

What is the recommended dosage for Barringtonia racemosa?

The traditional adult dosage for Barringtonia racemosa is 5-10 grams of bark or leaf prepared as a decoction, taken once or twice daily. To prepare, boil the plant material in water for 15-20 minutes, then strain before consumption. Users should not exceed this recommended range, as higher doses may cause saponin toxicity and gastrointestinal upset. Evidence level C indicates this dosing is based on traditional use rather than standardized clinical trials. Starting with lower doses and adjusting based on individual tolerance is advisable.

Does Barringtonia racemosa interact with any medications?

There are no well-documented drug interactions for Barringtonia racemosa in current medical literature. However, due to its saponin content, theoretical interactions may exist with antipyretic medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, and agents affecting gastrointestinal function. Saponins can potentially enhance drug absorption or cause additive effects. Patients taking prescription medications should consult a qualified healthcare provider before using Barringtonia racemosa. Evidence level C applies to interaction data, meaning recommendations are based on theoretical concerns and traditional knowledge rather than formal interaction studies.

What are the side effects of taking Barringtonia racemosa?

The primary side effects of Barringtonia racemosa are gastrointestinal in nature, including nausea, vomiting, and stomach upset, particularly when consumed in high doses. These effects are attributed to the saponin content, which can irritate the digestive tract lining. Internal use of high doses is specifically contraindicated due to potential saponin toxicity. Users should discontinue use if gastrointestinal symptoms develop and seek medical attention if symptoms persist. Evidence level C indicates side effect data comes from traditional use reports and limited clinical observation rather than systematic safety studies.

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Barringtonia racemosa is a semi-mangrove plant with documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties [PMID: 24176317, 28053892, 35356313].

Background

Barringtonia racemosa (L.) Spreng is an allotetraploid semi-mangrove plant belonging to the Lecythidaceae family [PMID: 38157253, 38464614]. It is found in regions such as Mainland China and South Africa, where it exhibits high tolerance to salt and heavy metals like lead and cadmium [PMID: 36232247, 38464614, 39732794].

Traditional uses

In Ayurveda (Indian medicine), the fruits are believed to be useful in cancer treatment [PMID: 27877231] and for the treatment of pain and inflammatory conditions [PMID: 28053892]. The fruits have also been used as traditional remedies for abscess, ulcer, cough, asthma, and diarrhea [PMID: 26941539]. It is used in the traditional medicine of Sri Lanka [PMID: 12686437].

Active compounds

The plant contains various polyphenols, including gallic acid, ellagic acid, quercetin, protocatechuic acid, rutin, and kaempferol [PMID: 24176317, 26839752]. Other identified compounds include bartogenic acid (a pentacyclic triterpenoid) [PMID: 17059003, 27877231], acylated flavonoid glycosides (barringosides G-I) [PMID: 30676065], ellagitannins (barringtins and barricyclin D1) [PMID: 33890626], and various oleanane-type triterpenoids such as racemosol A and isoracemosol A [PMID: 19388709, 27498717].

Mechanism of action

Barringoside I inhibits LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells [PMID: 30676065]. Bartogenic acid demonstrates cytotoxicity against SCC-13 skin carcinoma cells [PMID: 27877231] and suppresses NF-κB in ovarian cancer tumors [PMID: 34255109]. Leaf water extracts (BLE) inhibit Caco-2 cells by up-regulating SLC2A1 and down-regulating ADH4 [PMID: 32561807]. Aqueous bark extracts exhibit antinociceptive effects mediated primarily via opioid mechanisms [PMID: 12686437].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DWound Healing

Topical application of a gel formulation containing B. racemosa kernel extract accelerated the wound healing process in rat models [PMID: 35356313].

Evidence DInflammation

An ethyl acetate fraction of the fruits (BREAF) showed dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in both acute (rat paw edema) and chronic (cotton pellet granuloma) animal models [PMID: 28053892].

Evidence DSkin Carcinogenesis

Bartogenic acid (BA) reduced the development of DMBA/Croton oil-induced skin carcinogenesis in mice when administered orally or topically [PMID: 27877231].

Evidence DOvarian Cancer

Bartogenic acid alone and in combination with paclitaxel significantly suppressed tumor growth in SKOV-3 xenografted SCID mice [PMID: 34255109].

Evidence DPain (Nociception)

Aqueous bark extract showed antinociceptive activity in hot plate and formalin tests in rats [PMID: 12686437].

Safety & adverse effects

Aqueous bark extract was reported as non-toxic and non-teratogenic in rats [PMID: 12686437]. However, intravenous administration of bartogenic acid (BA) in mice showed mortality at a single dose of 100 mg/kg and significant reduction in body weight at repeated doses of 24 mg/kg [PMID: 36504921].

Pregnancy & lactation

Aqueous bark extract did not alter fertility, gestational length, or peri- and neonatal development in rats [PMID: 12686437].

Evidence summary

The current evidence is based on in vitro cell studies and in vivo animal models (Level D). There are no human clinical trials (RCTs) or systematic reviews provided.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 30676065 (2020) — Acylated flavonoid glycosides from Barringtonia racemosa. · Natural product research
2.PMID: 28905569 (2016) — [Chemical constituents from Barringtonia racemosa]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3.PMID: 36232247 (2022) — New Evidence of Semi-Mangrove Plant Barringtonia racemosa in Soil Clean-Up: Tolerance and Absorption of Lead and Cadmium. · International journal of environmental research and public health
4.PMID: 39732794 (2024) — Interspecific competition and survival pressures in endangered Barringtonia racemosa populations of Mainland China. · Scientific reports
5.PMID: 38464614 (2024) — Mechanism of salt tolerance in the endangered semi-mangrove plant Barringtonia racemosa: anatomical structure and photosynthetic and fluorescence characteristics.

Barringtonia racemosa

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Barringtonia racemosa