Botanical Index No. 15

Akee Apples, Seso Vegetal, Ackee

blighia sapida

Medicinal Actions

Analgesic, Antidote, Antiemetic, Antipyretic, Stimulant, Stomachic

Primary Conditions Treated

Poison Vulnerary Cancer breast testicle Cold Conjunctivosis Dysentery Edema Epilepsy Fever Migraine Ophthalmia Orchosis Pain Pyorrhea Smallpox Sore Tumor Ulcer Vomiting Yaws Yellow Fever

Safety & Contraindications

Used as a fish poison. Contains the potentially useful but toxic hypoglycemic agents, cyclopropanoid amino acids, hypoglycin A, and hypoglycin B. Akee poisoning has been reported to be fatal in 2 hours. The bitter reddish raphe should be picked out as the fruit opens on the tree. Damaged, unripe, or fallen fruits should not be eaten. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, a quiescent period with drowsiness and sleep, followed 3 or 4 hours later with intense vomiting, and lastly, convulsions, coma, and death.