Cashew

Related Terms

2-Methoxyphenol, 2S albumin, acajaiba, acajou, acaju, acajuiba, alanine, alcayoiba, alpha-catechin, alpha-linolenic acid, Ana o 1, Ana o 2, Ana o 3, anacarde, anacardic acids, anacardier (French), Anacardiaceae (family), Anacardium curatellifolium, Anacardium occidentale, Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacardiaceae) leaves, anacardo (Spanish), anacardol, andi parippu (Malayalam), antimony, arabinose, benzoic acid, benzyl alcohol, beta-damascenone, bhilawanols, biflavonoids, cacajuil, cajou (French), caju (Portuguese), cajueiro, caprylic acid, cardanol, cardol, cashew apple nectar, casho, cashu, Cassavium pomiferum, delta-decalactone, delta-octalactone, East Indian almond, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, (E,Z)-2,4-decadienal, eugenol, europium, folacin, furfuryl mercaptan, gadoleic acid, gajus (Malay), gallic acid, gamma-decalactone, gingkol, glucuronic acid, glutamic acid, godambi (Kannada), hafnium, hexanal, histidine, hydroxybenzoic acid, isoleucine, isovaleric acid, jambu, jambu golok, jambu mete, jambu monyet, jambu terong, jeedi pappu (Telugu), jocote maranon, kaempferols, kasoy, lauric acid, legumin, L-epicatechin, leucine, leucocyanidin, leucopelargonidine, limonene, linoleic acid, maranon, merey, methional, methylglucuronic acid, mundhiri paruppu (Tamil), myristic acid, naringenin, noix d'acajou (French), oleic acid, oxalic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, phenolic compounds, phenylethyl alcohol, phenylalanine, phytosterols, pomme, pomme cajou, proline, quercetin-glycoside, salicylic acid, samarium, scandium, selenium, Semecarpus anacardium, Semecarpus anacardium (SA) Linn. (related species), Semecarpus australiensis (related species), serine, squalene, stearic acid, tannin, trans-hex-2-enal tryptophan, vicilin, (Z)-1,5-octadien-3-one, (Z)-2-nonenal.

Background

The cashew nut tree is native to Brazil and northern and western South America. European traders and explorers recorded its existence in 1578. The plant was taken from Brazil to India and East Africa, where it soon became naturalized. In 16th-Century Brazil, cashew fruits and their juice were taken by Europeans to treat fever, sweeten breath, and "conserve the stomach."
Cashew nuts are commonly eaten as food around the world. Cashew nuts are a source of protein and fat and are eaten as is, lightly salted, or sugared. In certain areas of the world, other parts of the tree are also consumed, such as the leaf in Malaysia and the fruit in South America.
The cashew nut tree, poison ivy, and poison oak are in the same botanical family, Anacardiaceae, and they share similar chemicals, which cause allergic contact dermatitis.
Cashew has been used by many cultures as a treatment for diarrhea, although at this time, there is a lack of high-quality, controlled human trials to support its use for any indication.
Cashew is used by various tribes throughout the Amazon rainforest for a variety of indications. The Tikuna tribe in the northwest Amazon region uses the juice of the cashew to protect against influenza and as a treatment for diarrhea. The Way?pi tribe in Guyana uses a bark tea as a colic remedy for infants. In Brazil, a bark tea is used as a douche for vaginal discharge and as an astringent to stop bleeding after a tooth extraction.
The Cuna Indians of Central America used the bark in herb teas for asthma, colds, and congestion.

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 *


There is conflicting evidence regarding the effects of a high-cashew diet on patients with metabolic syndrome. Additional larger, better-controlled trials are needed before any conclusions can be made.

 C


There is conflicting evidence regarding the effects of a high-cashew diet on patients with metabolic syndrome. Additional larger, better-controlled trials are needed before any conclusions can be made.

 C
* 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)
In general, one-third to two-thirds of a drop of homeopathic mother tincture in water has been taken by mouth 4-5 times daily.
For diarrhea, a dose of one-half cup of a standard decoction of cashew leaves and twigs has been taken by mouth two or three times daily.
For metabolic syndrome (coronary heart disease), a diet high in unsalted cashew nuts has been taken by mouth for eight weeks.

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
Cashew may interact with angiotensin II receptor antagonists (A2R blockers), antibiotics, anticancer agents, antidiarrheals, antifungals, anti-inflammatories, antivirals, calcium channel blockers, heart medications, immunosuppressants, or lipid-lowering drugs.

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

Chakraborty S, Roy M, Taraphdar AK, et al. Cytotoxic effect of root extract of and oil of nut in human tumour cells. Phytother Res 2004;18(8):595-600.
Clark AT, Anagnostou K, Ewan PW. Cashew nut causes more severe reactions than peanut: case-matched comparison in 141 children. Allergy 2007;62(8):913-916.
Criado RF, Criado PR, Malaman F, et al. Nonoccupational allergic contact dermatitis to cashew nut simulating photosensitivity eczema. Am J Contact Dermat 2002;13(2):85-86.
Davoren M, Peake J. Cashew nut allergy is associated with a high risk of anaphylaxis. Arch Dis Child 2005;90(10):1084-1085.
Ferdman RM, Ong PY, Church JA. Pectin anaphylaxis and possible association with cashew allergy. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2006;97(6):759-760.
Goncalves JL, Lopes RC, Oliveira DB, et al. In vitro anti-rotavirus activity of some medicinal plants used in Brazil against diarrhea. J Ethnopharmacol 2005;99(3):403-407.
Inomata N, Osuna H, Ikezawa Z. [Oral allergy syndrome due to cashew nuts in the patient without pollinosis]. Arerugi 2006;55(1):38-42.
Menezes EA, Tome ER, Nunes RN, et al. Extracts of (cashew) pollen in patients with allergic bronchial asthma. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2002;12(1):25-28.
Phan TG, Strasser SI, Koorey D, et al. Passive transfer of nut allergy after liver transplantation. Arch Intern Med 2003;163(2):237-239.
Pieters M, Oosthuizen W, Jerling JC, et al. Clustering of haemostatic variables and the effect of high cashew and walnut diets on these variables in metabolic syndrome patients. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 2005;16(6):429-437.
Rance F, Dutau G. [Asthma and food allergy: report of 163 pediatric cases]. Arch Pediatr 2002;9 Suppl 3:402s-407s.
Rance F, Bidat E, Bourrier T, et al. Cashew allergy: observations of 42 children without associated peanut allergy. Allergy 2003;58(12):1311-1314.
Schutte AE, Van Rooyen JM, Huisman HW, et al. Modulation of baroreflex sensitivity by walnuts versus cashew nuts in subjects with metabolic syndrome. Am J Hypertens 2006;19(6):629-636.
Singh D, Aggarwal A, Mathias A, et al. Immunomodulatory activity of extract in mononuclear cells of normal individuals and rheumatoid arthritis patients. J Ethnopharmacol 2006;108(3):398-406.
Weber C. Eliminate infection (abscess) in teeth with cashew nuts. Med Hypotheses 2005;65(6):1200.