Botanical Index No. 158

Bromelain

ananas comosus (l.) merr.

Medicinal Actions

Analysis pending research update.

Primary Conditions Treated

Bacteria Burn Cancer Diarrhea Dysmenorrhea Dyspepsia Edema Exocrine Hepatic Insufficiency Inflammation Nasal Parasinusosis Pain Swelling Thrombophlebitis Tumor Ulcer Varicosis Wound

General Dosage

250–500 mg 3 ×/day; 80–320 mg bromelain/day.

Safety & Contraindications

Contraindications: some people may be allergic to Bromelain. Side effects: allergy, diarrhea, GI problems. May augment antiaggregant or anticoagulant activity of other blood thinners. May increase blood and urinary levels of tetracyclines. This is the only case of Fleming et al., missing a Blumenthal et al. Commission E–approved drug, the American food plant, pineapple, with its proteolytic bromelain, a very active compound indeed.