Other Names: Camboge, Gambodia, Garcinia hanburyi, Gomme-Gutte, Gummigutta, Gutta Cambodia, Gutta Gamba, Tom Rong.
Gamboge is a gum-like substance (resin) from the trunk of the Garcinia hanburyi tree. Don’t confuse gamboge with Garcinia (Garcinia cambogia).
Special Precautions of Gamboge
- Gamboge seems to be UNSAFE. It can cause stomach pain and vomiting. Large amounts are poisonous and may cause death.
- While gamboge seems UNSAFE for anyone to use, some people are especially sensitive to the toxic effects. Be particularly careful not to use gamboge if you have one of the following conditions:
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It’s UNSAFE to use gamboge if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. It contains chemicals that may cause harmful side effects or death.
- Heart conditions: Since gamboge is a stimulant laxative, it might cause the body to lose too much potassium. This can cause heart damage or make existing heart disease worse.
- Digestive tract conditions including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, appendicitis, stomach pain, ulcers, obstruction, nausea, or vomiting: Gamboge is a stimulant laxative. It might make these conditions worse.
Benefits and uses of Gamboge are
Despite serious safety concerns, people take gamboge for constipation, generally in combination with other laxatives. They also take it for expelling intestinal worms.