Bromeliaceae
Bromelain
Ananas comosus
✓ Generally Safe
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: South America, Brazil, Paraguay
Also known as: Pineapple Enzyme, Bromelin
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
FruitStem
Therapeutic Uses
Osteoarthritis pain (comparable to NSAIDs in trials), surgical swelling and bruising (European approval), sports injuries, sinusitis, digestive protein deficiency, cancer adjunct (fibrinolysis). EC Brussels approved for sinusitis.
Herbal Actions
Proteolytic (protein-digesting), anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, fibrinolytic, immunomodulator, mucolytic
Active Constituents
Cysteine proteases (bromelain — mixture of endopeptidases), peroxidase, acid phosphatase, several protease inhibitors
Preparation Methods
💊 Capsule
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | N/A — enzymatic activity destroyed by cooking |
| Tincture | Capsules: 200–400mg (2000–3000 MCU) 3x daily BETWEEN meals for anti-inflammatory; WITH meals for digestion |
| Notes | Take between meals for systemic anti-inflammatory effect. Take with meals for digestive enzyme support. Enteric-coated preferred for systemic absorption. Pineapple juice contains insufficient amounts for therapeutic effect (heat destroys during processing). |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: Avoid with anticoagulants (antiplatelet effect). Pineapple allergy. Avoid with amoxicillin (increases blood levels). Caution in pregnancy.
Side Effects: GI upset, nausea, diarrhea. Increased bleeding time. Allergic reactions (pineapple allergy). Menstrual flow increase.