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Herbs & Supplements
Alligator Pear
Scientific Name: Avocado
Other Names: ASU, Abokado, Ahuacate, Laurus persea, Persea species
When should I be careful taking it?
Precautions
A chemical known as persin is in the bark, leaves, and wood of the avocado. Persin can sicken animals, birds, and fish. It reduces milk production and destroys breast tissue in cattle and other animals that eat avocado leaves. In laboratory studies, persin has been shown to have a similar destructive effect on mice. Very high doses may affect the muscles around the heart, as well. Persin passes into breast milk, but its effects on newborn animals are not known. The effects of persin for humans is also unknown. Therefore, all individuals--especially pregnant women, new mothers, and small children--should avoid ingesting parts of the avocado other than the fruits or supplements made from them.
No adverse effects have been reported from eating avocado fruits, and even large amounts of avocado eaten as food have not been associated with any significant problems for humans. However, very little information is available on how large amounts of avocado might affect a pregnant woman, a breast-feeding mother, a developing fetus, an infant, or a small child. Therefore, supplemental use of avocado is not recommended during pregnancy, while breast-feeding, or during early childhood.
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Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.
This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.
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When should I be careful taking it? 
