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Lychee (
Litchi chinensis) is an evergreen tree native to the lowlands of southern China and is now grown in many tropical regions of the world.
Lychee has been used medicinally and as a food. Lychee leaves have been used to make vegetable dye. The lychee tree bears a sweet, red fruit that is highly regarded for its purported astringent, pain-relieving, stomach tonic, and fortifying properties. Tea made from the outer layer of the fruit is said to cure skin rashes. Extracts of the roots, bark, and flowers are traditionally used to cure sore throats.
There is a lack of scientific evidence supporting the use of lychee to treat any medical condition in humans.
Allergies
Avoid with known allergy or hypersensitivity to
Litchi chinensis, its constituents, or members of the Sapindaceae family.
Cross-reactivity with birch pollen, Compositae pollen, sunflower seed, mugwort, and latex may be observed.
Swelling of the lips or tongue, swelling under the skin, itching, hives, shortness of breath, restlessness, flush, inspiratory stridor (harsh sound made when breathing in), anaphylaxis, and bronchospasm have been reported.
Side Effects and Warnings
Lychee is likely safe when consumed by nonallergic persons in amounts normally found in food.
Allergic reaction to lychee is rare. However, lychee may cause swelling of the lips or tongue, swelling under the skin, itching, hives, shortness of breath, restlessness, flush, inspiratory stridor (harsh sound made when breathing in), anaphylaxis, or bronchospasm in allergic individuals.
Lychee may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised in patients with diabetes or hypoglycemia and in those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar. Blood glucose levels may need to be monitored by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Lychee may increase the risk of bleeding. Caution is advised in patients with bleeding disorders or those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that may increase the risk of bleeding. Dosing adjustments may be necessary.
Use cautiously in patients taking cholesterol- or lipid-lowering agents, as lychee seed water extract significantly decreased the levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides and increased the content of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Avoid consuming in amounts greater than those normally found in food in pregnant and breastfeeding women, due to insufficient scientific evidence.
Avoid with known allergy or hypersensitivity to
Litchi chinensis, any of its constituents, or members of the Sapindaceae family.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Avoid in pregnant and breastfeeding women in amounts greater than those normally found in food, due to insufficient scientific evidence.
Interactions with Drugs
Lychee may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary. Lychee may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix®), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®).
Lychee may also interact with anticancer agents, anti-inflammatory agents, antivirals, cardiovascular agents, cholesterol- or lipid-lowering agents, immune modulating agents, or pain relievers.
Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements
Lychee may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using herbs or supplements that may also lower blood sugar. Blood glucose levels may require monitoring, and doses may need adjustment.
Lychee may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with herbs and supplements that are believed to increase the risk of bleeding. Multiple cases of bleeding have been reported with the use of
Ginkgo biloba, and fewer cases with garlic and saw palmetto. Numerous other agents may theoretically increase the risk of bleeding, although this has not been proven in most cases.
Lychee may also interact with anticancer agents, anti-inflammatory agents, antioxidants, antivirals, cardiovascular herbs and supplements, cholesterol- or lipid-lowering agents, immune modulating herbs and supplements, or pain relievers.
