Overview

Ivy gourd is a plant. The leaves, root, and fruit are used to make medicine.

Ivy gourd is most often used for diabetes. People also use ivy gourd for gonorrhea, constipation, wounds, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Ivy gourd fruit and leaves are also used as a vegetable in India and other Asian countries.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

  • Diabetes. Taking ivy gourd leaf by mouth seems to improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes.

Insufficient Evidence for

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

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Ivy gourd leaf is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth for up to 6 weeks. Side effects are mild and may include headache, nausea, or dizziness. There isn't enough information to know if ivy gourd is safe when used long-term.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Ivy gourd leaf is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth for up to 6 weeks. Side effects are mild and may include headache, nausea, or dizziness. There isn't enough information to know if ivy gourd is safe when used long-term. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if ivy gourd is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Surgery: Ivy gourd might lower blood sugar. There is some concern it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using ivy gourd at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions ?

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with IVY GOURD

    Ivy gourd might lower blood sugar levels. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking ivy gourd along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to be too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.

    Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of ivy gourd 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 ivy gourd. 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.

Next
View References

You Might Also Like

Preventing HIV: How PrEP Works
Explore Medicare Advantage & Prescription Drug Coverage
Navigating Life With Migraine
Alternative Treatments for Migraines
View More

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 circumstances. 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.