This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
Euryale ferox seeds contain flavonoids such as kaempferol and quercetin, which exhibit antioxidant properties that may support kidney health. The seeds are also rich in starch, proteins, and saponins, contributing to their nutritive and restorative effects. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Euryale ferox is classified as an astringent herb that helps consolidate kidney essence and treat seminal emission. However, modern mechanistic research is limited, and evidence remains at Level C (preliminary or traditional use).
Does Euryale ferox interact with any medications?
There are currently no well-documented drug interactions for Euryale ferox in scientific literature. As the seeds are primarily composed of dietary starch, proteins, and flavonoids, they have low interaction potential. However, clinical research is limited (Evidence Level C), so individuals taking prescription diuretics, kidney medications, or anticoagulants should consult a healthcare provider before using Euryale ferox therapeutically.
What is the recommended dosage for Euryale ferox seeds?
The traditional adult dosage for Euryale ferox is 10-15 grams of seeds daily, consumed as food or prepared as a decoction. In Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, the seeds are commonly cooked in soups, porridges, or brewed into tea. This dosage is based on traditional use rather than standardized clinical trials. Users should follow product-specific instructions or consult a qualified herbal practitioner for personalized guidance.
Is Euryale ferox safe during pregnancy?
Euryale ferox seeds are considered safe for consumption during pregnancy when eaten as a food in normal dietary amounts. The seeds have a long history of use as a nutritive food in Asian cuisine and are not known to contain compounds that pose pregnancy risks. However, pregnant individuals should consult their healthcare provider before using any herbal products therapeutically and should avoid excessive intake due to the seeds' binding properties.
What are the side effects of Euryale ferox?
Euryale ferox is generally well-tolerated when consumed in recommended amounts. The primary side effect is constipation, which can occur with excessive consumption due to the seeds' astringent, binding nature. For this reason, Euryale ferox is contraindicated in individuals with existing constipation. Moderate intake within the traditional dosage range of 10-15 grams daily typically does not cause adverse effects in healthy individuals.
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
Euryale ferox, also known as foxnut or makhana, is an aquatic plant used as both a nutritious food and a medicinal herb in Asia [PMID:36183158, PMID:36160968]. It is recognized for its potential antioxidant, antidiabetic, and cardioprotective properties [PMID:36183158, PMID:37298878].
Background
Euryale ferox (family Nymphaeaceae) is a rooted macro-hydrophyte grown primarily in India, China, Japan, and Korea [PMID:30091404, PMID:36183158]. It is an annual aquatic crop whose seeds are processed into edible pops [PMID:30091404, PMID:33964663].
Traditional uses
In traditional oriental medicine, it has been used to treat kidney problems, chronic diarrhea, excessive leucorrhea, and hypofunction of the spleen [PMID:16628469]. It is also associated with marital rituals due to perceived spermatogenic properties [PMID:30091404].
Active compounds
The plant contains carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols [PMID:36183158]. Specific compounds identified in the seeds and shells include polysaccharides, sesquineolignans, tocopherols, cyclic dipeptides, glucosylsterols, cerebrosides, triterpenoids [PMID:37298878], and phenolics such as gallic acid, digalloylhexoside, catechin, procyanidin B2, epicatechin, ellagic acid, and epicatechin gallate [PMID:36680508]. Corilagin and geraniin have also been isolated from the shell [PMID:41503851].
Mechanism of action
E. ferox may exert anti-inflammatory effects via corilagin [PMID:36900496]. It has been shown to activate Nrf2 and MAPK signaling pathways to regulate downstream proteins like Bax/Bcl-2 and MMP-1 [PMID:36290604]. In the context of diabetic kidney disease, it is suggested to target proteins such as PPARA, LPL, and FABP1 [PMID:36165567].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DMyocardial ischemic reperfusion injury
Seeds reduced myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury in rat models [PMID:16628469]
Evidence DOral ulcer
Seed shell extract showed therapeutic effects on oral ulcers in rats by modulating Keap1, Nrf2, and HO-1 proteins [PMID:38708514]
Evidence DCancer (In vitro)
Ethanol extract of the shell inhibited proliferation of HeLa and A2780 cells, with corilagin showing the strongest inhibitory effect on HeLa cells [PMID:41503851]
Evidence DBacterial Infection (In vitro)
Seed shell polyphenol extract (EFSSPE) showed antimicrobial activity against Salmonella Typhimurium by damaging cell wall integrity [PMID:38957974]
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies, animal models (rats), and literature reviews. There are no human clinical trials provided in the source abstracts to establish clinical efficacy or safety.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 36297790 (2022) — Bio-Fabrication of Euryale ferox (Makhana) Leaf Silver Nanoparticles and Their Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Potential. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2.PMID: 30091404 (2018) — Aquacultural, Nutritional and Therapeutic Biology of Delicious Seeds of Euryale ferox Salisb. : A Minireview. · Current pharmaceutical biotechnology
3.PMID: 30361812 (2019) — Physiological and biochemical responses of Makhana (Euryale ferox) to gamma irradiation. · Journal of biological physics
4.PMID: 37893687 (2023) — Non-Traditional Starches, Their Properties, and Applications. · Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
5.PMID: 36183158 (2022) — Euryale ferox, a prominent superfood: Nutritional, pharmaceutical, and its economical importance. · Journal of food biochemistry
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 16628469 (2006) — The effect of Euryale ferox (Makhana), an herb of aquatic origin, on myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury. · Molecular and cellular biochemistry
7.PMID: 37298878 (2023) — The Ethnopharmacological, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Review of Euryale ferox Salisb.: A Chinese Medicine Food Homology. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
8.PMID: 36308756 (2023) — Structure and physicochemical properties of low digestible Euryale ferox Salisb. seed starch. · Journal of the science of food and agriculture
9.PMID: 35218099 (2022) — The adaptive evolution of Euryale ferox to the aquatic environment through paleo-hexaploidization. · The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
10.PMID: 26139908 (2015) — Development of gluten free biscuits utilizing fruits and starchy vegetable powders. · Journal of food science and technology
11.PMID: 23572686 (2010) — Physical, gravimetric and functional characterization of various milling fractions of popped gorgon nut (Euryale ferox). · Journal of food science and technology
12.PMID: 38957974 (2024) — Antibacterial Effect of Euryale ferox Seed Shell Polyphenol Extract on Salmonella Typhimurium. · Foodborne pathogens and disease
13.PMID: 32241435 (2020) — Enzyme mediated resistant starch production from Indian Fox Nut (Euryale ferox) and studies on digestibility and functional properties. · Carbohydrate polymers
14.PMID: 33964663 (2021) — Study on structural characterization, physicochemical properties and digestive properties of euryale ferox resistant starch. · Food chemistry
15.PMID: 36900496 (2023) — The Effect and Mechanism of Corilagin from Euryale Ferox Salisb Shell on LPS-Induced Inflammation in Raw264.7 Cells. · Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
16.PMID: 35680017 (2022) — Proteomic analysis of Euryale ferox Salisb seeds at different developmental stages. · Gene
17.PMID: 36160968 (2022) — Euryale Small Auxin Up RNA62 promotes cell elongation and seed size by altering the distribution of indole-3-acetic acid under the light. · Frontiers in plant science
18.PMID: 38708514 (2024) — [Antioxidant activity of Euryale ferox seed shell extract and its therapeutic effects on oral ulcer in rats]. · Nan fang yi ke da xue xue bao = Journal of Southern Medical University
19.PMID: 35059229 (2022) — Processing, digestion property and structure characterization of slowly digestible gorgon nut starch. · Food science and biotechnology
20.PMID: 36680508 (2023) — Extraction, identification, and starch-digestion inhibition of phenolics from Euryale ferox seed coat. · Journal of the science of food and agriculture
21.PMID: 39984069 (2025) — Isolation and effect of physical modification on the release characteristics Euryale ferox Salisb polysaccharide. · International journal of biological macromolecules
22.PMID: 36165567 (2022) — Material basis and action mechanism of Euryale Ferox Salisb in preventing and treating diabetic kidney disease. · Journal of food biochemistry
23.PMID: 35646106 (2022) — Genome-Wide Analysis of NBS-LRR Genes From an Early-Diverging Angiosperm Euryale ferox. · Frontiers in genetics
24.PMID: 29743016 (2018) — Transcriptome sequencing and analysis during seed growth and development in Euryale ferox Salisb. · BMC genomics
25.PMID: 33457802 (2020) — Characterization the complete chloroplast genome of Euryale ferox (Nymphaeaceae), an medicinal plant species in China. · Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources
26.PMID: 36290604 (2022) — Enhancing Bioactive Components of Euryale ferox with Lactobacillus curvatus to Reduce H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress in Human Skin Fibroblasts. · Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
27.PMID: 41503851 (2026) — Isolation, Identification, and in Vitro Antitumor Activity of Polyphenols From Euryale ferox Salisb. Shell. · Chemistry & biodiversity
28.PMID: 11827284 (2002) — Bioaccumulation of toxic metals (Cr, Cd, Pb and Cu) by seeds of Euryale ferox Salisb. (Makhana) W. · Chemosphere
29.PMID: 33338447 (2021) — Physiological and antioxidant responses of Euryale ferox salisb seedlings to microcystins. · Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology