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Botanical illustration of Stinkingtoe
MedicinalSourced entry

Stinkingtoe

Hymenaea courbaril

Jatobá, a tropical American tree with large woody pods of edible pulp, used in Brazil for wounds, coughs, rheumatism and stomach problems.

Safety at a glance

  • PregnancyNothing recorded
  • BreastfeedingNothing recorded
  • MedicinesNothing recorded
  • Who should avoid itNothing recorded
  • AllergiesNothing recorded
  • ToxicityNothing recorded

Tap a box to read the safety notes below. “Nothing recorded” means our sources don't cover it, not that it's safe.

What is Stinkingtoe?

Plant family
Fabaceae, the pea and bean family
Parts used
The fruit pulp, bark, leaves and resin
Where it grows
Tropical Central and South America and the Caribbean
Genus
Hymenaea
Species
courbaril

Also called

Jatobá, West Indian Locust, Courbaril

Traditionally used for

  • Edible pulp
  • Wounds
  • Coughs
  • Rheumatism (traditional)

Traditionally described as

  • Edible fruit pulp and resin

Traditions that use it

What does the research say?

Traditional use

These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.

  • Native peoples have long used stinkingtoe for food, medicine and its tough wood. Its pods hold an edible, powdery pulp. In Brazilian traditional medicine it's used for wounds, inflammation, infections, rheumatism, anemia, coughs, bronchitis, stomach problems and prostate problems.[1]Study

Laboratory & animal research

Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.

  • In lab studies, extracts fought bacteria, fungi and viruses, calmed inflammation, acted as antioxidants and relaxed muscle. Animal tests found it has low toxicity.[1]Study

  • In lab tests and in mice, extracts of the pod coat blocked a starch-digesting enzyme and reduced the rise in blood sugar after eating starch.[2]Study

In short

Animal tests found low toxicity; no human studies were found.

Sources

  1. [1] Chemical and Biological Properties of Hymenaea courbaril L.: A Review · DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202503154Peer-reviewed study
  2. [2] Inhibitory Effects of Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic Extracts from Jatobá Coat (Hymenaea courbaril L.) on Pancreatic Amylase and Starch Absorption · DOI: 10.3390/plants14071133Peer-reviewed study

This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Unfamiliar word? See what these words mean.