BUTTERNUT: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews (2024)

Overview

Butternut is a plant. People use the bark for medicine.

Butternut is used for constipation, gallbladder disease, hemorrhoids, skin diseases, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support its use.

How does it work ?

Butternut bark might work as a laxative to help stool move through the intestine.

Butternut bark might work as a laxative to help stool move through the intestine.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Gallbladder disease.
  • Hemorrhoids.
  • Skin diseases.
  • Constipation.
  • Cancer.
  • Infections.
  • Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of butternut for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Butternut is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people, but it can cause diarrhea and irritation of the stomach and intestines.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Butternut is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people, but it can cause diarrhea and irritation of the stomach and intestines. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to use butternut in large amounts if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. It might stimulate the bowels too much. Avoid use.

Interactions ?

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with BUTTERNUT

    Butternut is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of side effects of digoxin (Lanoxin).

  • Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids) interacts with BUTTERNUT

    Some medications for inflammation can decrease potassium in the body. Butternut is a type of laxative that might also decrease potassium in the body. Taking butternut along with some medications for inflammation might decrease potassium in the body too much.

    Some medications for inflammation include dexamethasone (Decadron), hydrocortisone (Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone (Deltasone), and others.

  • Stimulant laxatives interacts with BUTTERNUT

    Butternut is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives speed up the bowels. Taking butternut along with other stimulant laxatives could speed up the bowels too much and cause dehydration and low minerals in the body.

    Some stimulant laxatives include bisacodyl (Correctol, Dulcolax), cascara, castor oil (Purge), senna (Senokot), and others.

  • Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with BUTTERNUT

    Butternut can work as a laxative. In some people butternut can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can increase the effects of warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding. If you take warfarin do not take excessive amounts of butternut.

  • Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with BUTTERNUT

    Butternut is a laxative. Some laxatives can decrease potassium in the body. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium in the body. Taking butternut along with "water pills" might decrease potassium in the body too much.

    Some "water pills" that can decrease potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide), and others.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of butternut depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for butternut. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circ*mstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

BUTTERNUT: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews (2024)

FAQs

What are the side effects of butternut squash? ›

In some people butternut can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can increase the effects of warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding. If you take warfarin do not take excessive amounts of butternut.

What are the medicinal uses of butternut tree? ›

Medicinal Uses

Butternut was used by various native North American Indian tribes as a laxative and tonic remedy to treat a variety of conditions including rheumatic and arthritic joints, headaches, dysentery, constipation and wounds[254].

Does butternut help with constipation? ›

People take butternut for constipation, gallbladder disorders, hemorrhoids, and skin diseases. It is also used for cancer and infections caused by bacteria and parasites.

Can you eat butternut squash every day? ›

Butternut squash is a healthful option, but its high potassium content may mean that some people should consume it in moderation. Beta-blockers are a type of medication commonly prescribed for people with heart disease. These can cause potassium levels to increase in the blood.

Is butternut squash OK for kidneys? ›

Squash can be a good choice for many peritoneal and home hemodialysis patients when you may need to eat more potassium rich foods. Eating squash will not have an effect on forming kidney stones. The National Kidney Foundation wishes to thank its Council on Renal Nutrition (CRN) for the development of this fact sheet.

What does butternut squash do for the gut? ›

Butternut squash contains considerable amounts of fiber, which can help you keep a healthy weight and regulate bowel movements. It's known to help prevent colorectal cancer while the beta-carotene in butternut squash can also improve eye health.

What is a butternut used for? ›

Butternut wood is not as hard as black walnut, but it is nevertheless valuable for furniture and woodcarving. Native Americans and white settlers harvested the buttery fat left from boiling the nuts, giving the plant its name. People in New England make maple-butternut candy.

Is butternut a superfood? ›

Is Butternut Squash Healthy? All the Nutritional Benefits of This Fall Superfood. While it's higher in carbs, butternut squash is loaded with antioxidants and vitamins.

What are the health benefits of butternut leaves? ›

Pumpkin Leaves Benefits
  • Promotes Heart Health. ...
  • Lowers the Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. ...
  • Help Alleviate Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) ...
  • Helps Retain Dental Health. ...
  • Help Strengthen Bones. ...
  • Help Fight Colon Cancer. ...
  • Supports the Immune System. ...
  • Provides Supple and Soft Skin.
Mar 23, 2022

What is the number one food to help with constipation? ›

The BRAT diet ― bananas, rice, applesauce and toast ― is one dietitians recommend for a range of digestive issues, and it can help with both constipation and diarrhea. Intermittent fasting can have variable effects on bowel movement regularity since there are so many different schedules to choose from.

Is butternut good for IBS? ›

The good news is, IBS can be managed. A good starting point is a healthy complete food with plenty of fibre. Butternut Box meals are full of freshly-prepared vegetables that can support beneficial gut bacteria. And they're packed with high-fibre carbohydrates to encourage healthy stools and dial-down on the wind.

Is butternut good for BP? ›

It can help your blood pressure.

Butternut squash is high in potassium, which can help keep your blood pressure in check. Managing your blood pressure can reduce your risk for stroke and heart disease. Its fiber helps with blood sugar. Butternut squash contains a type of fiber that's not digestible.

Which is healthier, butternut or pumpkin? ›

The key differences between these two fruits are found in harvest time; pumpkins are only available September – October, sometimes November, while butternut squash is available year-round. Nutrition profile; Butternut squash is more nutritionally well-rounded but pumpkins have fewer carbs and calories.

Is butternut good for diabetics? ›

Butternut squash is a fantastic option for those who need to carefully monitor their blood sugar levels. Rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, and vitamin C, butternut squash can provide numerous health benefits for those living with diabetes.

Is butternut squash anti-inflammatory? ›

Butternut Squash: Butternut squash is a superb source of beta-carotene, vitamin C, and fiber, all of which can contribute to lower inflammation levels. Blend butternut squash into soups or roast it with a touch of cinnamon for a sweet and savory side dish.

Can you have a reaction to butternut squash? ›

Butternut squash and acorn squash have been known to cause an allergic reaction in many individuals, especially in food preparation where the squash skin is cut and exposed to the epidermis.

Is butternut squash bad for high cholesterol? ›

A cup of butternut squash cubes clocks in at about 7 grams of fiber—making a sizable contribution toward the 25 to 30 grams you need per day. “Fiber has many positive health effects, including limiting weight gain, lowering cholesterol levels, and reducing risk of type 2 diabetes,” Willett says.

Is butternut squash a good or bad carb? ›

Butternut squash is a low-calorie food and is packed with nutrients. While it's higher in carbs than some other veggies, its low glycemic index (a ranking of how carbs affect blood sugar) still makes it a healthy choice for most people.

Is there a lot of sugar in butternut squash? ›

22 grams of carbohydrates. 6.6grams of dietary fiber. 4 grams of sugar. 1.8 grams of protein.

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