Litchi

Related Terms

Alupag, alupag-amo (Tagalog), amboina, anthocyanins, Bengal, Brewster, cay vai (Vietnamese), cerisier de Chine (French), Chinese cherry, copper, cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, epicatechin, flavonoids, flavonols, giong vai (Vietnamese), glutinous rice ball, Groff, hak ip, kalengkeng (Indonesian), kelengkang (Malay), kinesisk blomme (Danish), kinesiska plommon (Swedish), klengkeng (Indonesia), kwa luk, kyet mouk (Bermese), laichi, laici (Malay), lam yai (Burmese), lechia (Portuguese, Spanish), leechee, letchi (French - R?union), letsias (Tagalog), li zhi (Chinese), li zhi guo (Chinese), licheas (Tagalog), lichi, lichi kitaiskaia (Russian), lichi kitaiskoe (Russian), lichi lichi (Russian), lichia (Portuguese), lichu, lici (Indonesian), lidzhi kitaiskoe (Russian), lin chi (Burmese), linchi, (Thai), linchi pa (Thai), Litchi chinensis Sonn., Litchi chinensis Sonn. subsp. javanensis, litchi 'Bombai', litchi de Chine (French), litchi fruit pericarp (LFP), Litchi litchi Britton, litchi 'Mauritius', Litchi philippinensis Radlk., Litchi ramboutan Labill., Litchi ramboutan-ake Labill., Litchi sinensis J.F.Gmel., litchia (Portuguese), litchiblomme (Danish), litchie (French), litchier (French), litchiplommon (Swedish), Litschi (German), Litschibaum (German), Litschipflaume (German), litsi (Greek, Indonesian), mengkuris (Borneo), nefelium lichi (Russian), Nephelium litchi Camb., ngan xanh (Vietnamese), ng??w (Laotian), no mai tsze, oligonol phosphorus, panjore common, pied de letchi (French - R?union), procyanidin B2, procyanidin B4, qua vai (Vietnamese), quenepe chinois (French - Haiti), quercetin-3-glucoside, quercetin-3-rutinoside, reishi (Japanese), saponins, see raaman (Thai), si raman (Thai), si raman khao (Thai), sweet osmanthus flavor, tai tsao, thiamine, tu hu (Vietnamese), vai (Vietnamese), vegetative storage proteins, vitamin C, yatou green, zhengcheng hanging green.

Background

Lychee (Litchi chinensis) is an evergreen tree native to the lowlands of southern China and is now grown in many tropical regions of the world.
Lychee has been used medicinally and as a food. Lychee leaves have been used to make vegetable dye. The lychee tree bears a sweet, red fruit that is highly regarded for its purported astringent, pain-relieving, stomach tonic, and fortifying properties. Tea made from the outer layer of the fruit is said to cure skin rashes. Extracts of the roots, bark, and flowers are traditionally used to cure sore throats.
There is a lack of scientific evidence supporting the use of lychee to treat any medical condition in humans.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
There is no proven safe or effective dose for lychee in adults.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Lychee may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Lychee may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Lychee may also interact with anticancer agents, anti-inflammatory agents, antivirals, cardiovascular agents, cholesterol- or lipid-lowering agents, immune modulating agents, or pain relievers.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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