Skip to content

Snakehair cucumber

The snakehair cucumber is a plant whose fruit, seeds and root are used to make medicine. Snakehair cucumber is taken orally for HIV/AIDS, coughs, fevers, swellings, tumors and diabetes. Snakehair cucumber is sometimes injected to induce abortion. A starch extract from the root is used to treat abscesses, absence of menstruation, jaundice, liver diseases such as hepatitis, frequent urination and tumors. The fruit and seeds of the snakehair cucumber are taken orally for coughs, fever, swellings, tumors and diabetes. The fruit of the snakehair cucumber is also applied to the vagina to induce abortion.

How does the snakehair cucumber work?

The snakehair cucumber contains a chemical that could induce an abortion if injected during the first trimester of pregnancy. Snakehair cucumber could help reduce pain and swelling. The fruit could also help protect against stomach ulcers.

How effective is snake hair cucumber?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of snakehair cucumber for HIV infections, coughs, fevers, tumors, and diabetes, as well as for inducing abortion when injected or applied to the vagina. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of snakehair cucumber in these applications.

Safety and side effects

The use of snakehair cucumber root is not safe or harmless. Injections of components of the root can cause serious side effects including allergic reactions, seizures, fever, water retention in the lungs and brain, serious damage to health and death. The fruit and seeds of the snakehair cucumber appear to be safe and harmless for most people. They can cause mild side effects such as diarrhea and stomach upset.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: The use of snakehair cucumber root, fruit and seeds in the form of injections is not safe during pregnancy. Snakehair cucumber can be toxic. The fruit and seeds of the snakehair cucumber could cause abortion or birth defects. Not enough is known about the safety of the root, fruit and seeds of the snakehair cucumber during breastfeeding, which is why breastfeeding women should avoid these products.

Diabetes: Snakehair cucumber could lower blood sugar levels. Some doctors are concerned that snakehair cucumber in combination with diabetes medication could cause an excessive drop in blood sugar levels. For this reason, diabetics who use snakehair cucumber should carefully monitor their blood sugar. It is possible that diabetes medication may need to be adjusted.

Surgeries: Snake hair cucumber could lower blood sugar levels. There are concerns that snakehair cucumber may affect blood sugar control during and after surgery. For this reason, the use of snakehair cucumber should be stopped at least 2 weeks before planned operations.

Interactions

Care should be taken when using snake hair cucumber in combination with the following medications:

Diabetes medications

The root of the snakehair cucumber could lower blood sugar. Diabetes medication is also used to lower blood sugar levels. Taking the root of the snakehair cucumber in combination with diabetes medication could result in an excessive drop in blood sugar levels. For this reason, blood sugar levels should be carefully monitored. It is possible that the dosage of the diabetes medication may need to be adjusted.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of snake hair cucumber depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for snakehair cucumber. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

  1. Akihisa T, Yasukawa K, Kimura Y, et al. Five D:C-friedo-oleanane triterpenes from the seeds of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. and their anti-inflammatory effects. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1994;42:1101-5.
  2. Hikino H, Yoshizawa M, Suzuki Y, et al. Isolation and hypoglycemic activity of trichosans A, B, C, D, and E: glycans of Trichosanthes kirilowii roots. Planta Med 1989;55:349-50.
  3. Ozaki Y, Xing L, Satake M. Anti-inflammatory effect of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim, and its effective parts. Biol Pharm Bull 1996;19:1046-8.
  4. Takano F, Yoshizaki F, Suzuki K, et al. Anti-ulcer effects of Trichosanthes fruits. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1990;38:1313-6.