Croton Seeds

• Overview
• Uses
• Side Effects
• Precautions
• Dosing

Croton is a plant. The oil from the seeds is used to make medicine.

Despite serious safety concerns, people take croton seeds for emptying and cleansing the stomach and intestines. They also take croton seeds to treat gallbladder problems, colic, blocked intestines, and malaria.

Croton seeds are sometimes applied directly to the skin for muscle and joint pain (rheumatism), gout, nerve pain (neuralgia), and bronchitis.

How does it work?

Croton seeds contain chemicals that have a powerful irritating effect on the stomach and intestines.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

TAKEN BY MOUTH

• Gallbladder problems.
• Blocked intestines.
• Malaria.
• Emptying and cleansing the stomach and intestines.
• Other conditions.

APPLIED TO THE SKIN

• Joint pain.
• Gout.
• Nerve pain.
• Bronchitis.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of croton seeds for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Croton seeds are UNSAFE when taken by mouth or put on the skin. One drop of croton seed oil can cause side effects, and 20 drops of oil can cause death.

Croton seeds can cause burning of the mouth, vomiting, dizziness, stupor, painful bowel movements, abortions in pregnant women, and collapse when taken by mouth. If croton seeds are put on the skin, they can cause itching, burning, and blistering.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Croton seeds are UNSAFE for anyone to use, but women who are pregnant should use extra care to avoid croton seeds because they can cause an abortion. Croton seeds are also UNSAFE to use if you are breast-feeding.

The appropriate dose of croton seeds 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 croton seeds. 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.