Vidanga
Embelia ribes
Photo credit: Earthshine.. at English Wikipedia
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Embelin has shown antifertility/antispermatogenic effects in animal studies; high doses a concern.
Contraindications: Pregnancy and couples seeking conception (antifertility signal — avoid); caution in children except under qualified supervision.
Interactions: Theoretical additive with antidiabetic/lipid-lowering and antifertility agents; embelin is a studied chelator/quinone — caution with hepatically cleared drugs.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Avoid in pregnancy and when trying to conceive (antifertility/antispermatogenic signal).
Evidence level
Supported by clinical trials in humans.
Preparations
decoction · fruit
Part used: fruit
powder (churna) · fruit
Part used: fruit
Traditional use: anthelmintic/deworming, anti-obesity/lipid
Proposed mechanism: embelin (benzoquinone) — anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, XIAP-inhibitory antitumor, lipid-modulating
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
Not a food source.
Healing traditions
Sources (2)
- Giri 2025, Glob Adv Integr Med Health (PMID 40626154)
- Kamath 2023, EXCLI J (PMID 38234968)