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Tonka Bean Herb - Uses And Side Effects

Tonka beans are popular because of their sweet, hay-like smell, something like vanilla with a little cinnamon, clove, and almonds thrown in. This herb is good for potpourris and sachets--slice up into little slivers and toss with the other ingredients; for a sweeter scent, use only the skins and the white crystals. Tonka's active component (coumarin) comes from the fruits and seeds of Dipteryx odorata. Native to Brazil and Venezuela, this tree belongs to the legume family (Leguminosae).

This native of South America was once used to flavor pipe tobacco, and is often the "vanilla" scent in cosmetics. In Mexico tonka bean is used to extend vanilla flavoring for food, but in the US it is prohibited as a food ingredient because it can harm the liver. Still you can find many recipes that include it as a flavoring for sauces and ice cream. A product containing tonka bean is sold as Tonka Bean.

Common doses of Tonka Bean

Tonka bean isn't widely available commercially. Some experts recommend a dose of 60 milligrams (coumarin) taken orally once daily. (In some studies, doses were based on the product's coumarin content.)

Uses of Tonka Bean herb

Specifically, tonka bean may help to :-

• As an aphrodisiac
• Lymphedema (a lymphatic disorder that causes arm or leg swelling)
• Nausea
• Stomach cramps

Side effects of Tonka Bean

Call your health care practitioner if you experience unusual symptoms when using tonka bean. The herb may damage the liver.

Are there any interactions?

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Especially if you're being treated for a liver problem, avoid tonka bean while taking:

• blood thinners, such as Coumadin
• drugs that can cause liver damage, such as some antibiotic, antiviral, antiseizure, and chemotherapy drugs.

Important points to remember

• Don't use tonka bean if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Know that using tonka bean with a drug that may damage the liver increases the risk of such damage.
• Keep in mind that you may experience increased internal bleeding if you take tonka bean with a blood thinner.
• Be aware that the Food and Drug Administration considers this herb unsafe.

What the research shows

Several tonka bean components-especially coumarin and 7hydroxycoumarin-show promise in treating certain lymphatic system disorders. However, more research must be done to establish if these components are safe and effective. For nausea and stomach cramps, medical experts recommend established remedies over tonka bean.

Other names for Tonka Bean

Other names for tonka bean include cumaru, tonka seed, tonquin bean, and torquinbean.