Bromelain









Bromelain


Natural product category
Herb
What is this natural product used for?
This product is used to help reduce inflammation and swelling and to help with food digestion. It may also have benefit in sinusitis and to relax muscles. Use on the skin may help wounds heal.
How does it work?
Bromelain is an enzyme that stops production of chemicals in the body that cause inflammation and swelling. This enzyme increases the production of other chemicals in the body that reduce swelling.
How is it best taken?
  • Oral:
  • Take this product with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • Take this product with a full glass of water.
  • Take this product at a similar time every day.
  • Do not use this product for more than 6-8 weeks.
  • Topical:
  • Do not take this product by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
  • Wash your hands before and after use.
  • Clean affected area before use. Make sure to dry well.
  • Apply a thin layer to the affected skin and rub in gently.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this natural product?
  • Do not put coverings (bandages, dressings, makeup) over the area unless told to do so by healthcare provider.
  • Use caution if you had a stomach ulcer or bleeding. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Use with caution if you have a weakened heart. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Talk with healthcare provider before using other aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, vitamin E, or others.
  • If you have bleeding problems, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Stop using this product 14 days before dental procedures or surgery.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicines or natural products. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this product.
What are the possible side effects of this natural product?
  • Oral:
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
  • Diarrhea. Yogurt, Bifidobacterium bifidum , or Lactobacillus acidophilus may help.
  • Changes in menstrual flow.
  • Topical:
  • Rash.
What should I monitor?
  • Check blood work (prothrombin time/INR). Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check blood pressure regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider on a regular basis.
Reasons to call healthcare provider
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Severe diarrhea.
  • For females, menstrual changes. These include lots of bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between cycles.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this natural product?
  • Store in original container at room temperature.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
Dietary sources
Pineapple
Plant part used
Stem, fruit of the pineapple plant
Dosage forms
Oral and topical
Drug interactions
Anticoagulants, aspirin, aspirin-containing products, NSAIDs (ibuprofen, others), antiplatelet agents
General statements
Under current law in the United States, herbal supplements are classified as dietary supplements and fall under the regulations of the food service industry. This includes the manufacturing practices imposed by the local agriculture departments for food manufacturers. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are currently not required by the FDA, yet many companies follow GMPs, and the industry is improving self-imposed practices. Use herbs with extreme caution in the following groups:
  • Children younger than 2 years of age
  • Pregnant or lactating women; some herbs are contraindicated in pregnancy, make sure to observe warnings.
  • If you are taking pharmaceutical medications (prescription and others), always review for potential herb-drug interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • If you are taking other natural products, always review for potential herb-herb, or herb-natural product interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • Individuals having known allergies to plants. If you fall into this category, speak with your healthcare provider before using an herbal product. Both large doses of herbs and herbs taken over a long period of time may increase the risk for adverse effects. Many herbs, due to a variety of their chemical ingredients, may cause temporary adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach distress.
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