Cashew

Last Editorial Review: 6/11/2021
Other Name(s):

Anacarde, Anacardier, Anacardium occidentale, Anacardo, Cajou, Cajuil, East Indian Almond, Kaju, Marañon, Noix d'Anacarde, Noix-Cajou, Noix de Cajou, Pomme-Cajou.

Overview

Cashew is a tree. Its nut, also known as cashew, is commonly eaten as food. People also use the nut to make medicine.

Cashew is used for stomach and intestinal (gastrointestinal) ailments.

Some people apply cashew directly to the skin as a skin stimulant and to seal (cauterize) ulcers, warts, and corns.

How does it work?

Cashew contains chemicals that might work against certain bacteria.

QUESTION

Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See Answer

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

  • Metabolic syndrome. Early research suggests that eating a diet that contains a high amount of cashew does not improve blood pressure, blood fats, waist circumference, or body mass index (BMI) in people with metabolic syndrome. In fact, this diet might increase pre-meal blood sugar levels.
  • Stomach and intestinal disorders.
  • Skin ulcers, when applied to the skin.
  • Warts, when applied to the skin.
  • Corns, when applied to the skin.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of cashew for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Side Effects

Cashew is LIKELY SAFE in normal food amounts. There isn't enough information to know if cashew is safe for use as a medicine. Unroasted cashew can irritate the skin and cause redness and blisters.

SLIDESHOW

Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See Slideshow

Special Precautions & Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Cashew is safe when eaten as food, but there's not enough information to know if it's safe in the larger amounts that are used as medicine. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, stick with food amounts until more is known.

Allergy to certain other nuts or pectin: Cashew might cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to hazelnut, Brazil nut, pistachio, almond, peanut, or pectin. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking cashew.

Diabetes: There is some evidence that eating large amounts of cashew might increase blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes and use cashew, be sure to monitor you blood sugar carefully. The doses of your diabetes medications might need to be adjusted.

Surgery: Since cashews might affect blood sugar levels, there is some concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop eating large amounts of cashew at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions


Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

Cashew might increase blood sugar when eaten in large amounts. Diabetes medications are used to lower blood sugar. Taking cashew along with diabetes medications might decrease the effects of diabetes medications. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.

Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of cashew for use as treatment depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for cashew. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

FDA Logo

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

References

Akinpelu, D. A. Antimicrobial activity of Anacardium occidentale bark. Fitoterapia 2001;72(3):286-287. View abstract.

Balasubramanyam, K., Swaminathan, V., Ranganathan, A., and Kundu, T. K. Small molecule modulators of histone acetyltransferase p300. J Biol.Chem. 5-23-2003;278(21):19134-19140. View abstract.

Bedello, P. G., Goitre, M., Cane, D., Roncarolo, G., and Alovisi, V. Allergic contact dermatitis to cashew nut. Contact Dermatitis 1985;12(4):235. View abstract.

Behl, P. N. Dermatitis from cashew nuts. J.Am.Acad.Dermatol. 1985;12(1 Pt 1):117. View abstract.

Burks, A. W., James, J. M., Hiegel, A., Wilson, G., Wheeler, J. G., Jones, S. M., and Zuerlein, N. Atopic dermatitis and food hypersensitivity reactions. J Pediatr. 1998;132(1):132-136. View abstract.

Caballero-George, C., Vanderheyden, P. M., Solis, P. N., Pieters, L., Shahat, A. A., Gupta, M. P., Vauquelin, G., and Vlietinck, A. J. Biological screening of selected medicinal Panamanian plants by radioligand-binding techniques. Phytomedicine 2001;8(1):59-70. View abstract.

Cade, A. and Nelson, C. S. Semecarpus anacardium-induced facial oedema. Br.J Dermatol. 1996;135(2):338-339. View abstract.

CDC. Dermatitis associated with cashew nut consumption--Pennsylvania. MMWR Morb.Mortal.Wkly.Rep. 3-11-1983;32(9):129-130. View abstract.

Chakraborty, S., Roy, M., Taraphdar, A. K., and Bhattacharya, R. K. Cytotoxic effect of root extract of Tiliacora racemosa and oil of Semecarpus anacardium nut in human tumour cells. Phytother.Res. 2004;18(8):595-600. View abstract.

Clark, A. T., Anagnostou, K., and Ewan, P. W. Cashew nut causes more severe reactions than peanut: case-matched comparison in 141 children. Allergy 2007;62(8):913-916. View abstract.

Criado, R. F., Criado, P. R., Malaman, F., Ensina, L. F., Vasconcellos, C., Aun, W. T., Mello, J. F., and Pires, M. C. Nonoccupational allergic contact dermatitis to cashew nut simulating photosensitivity eczema. Am.J.Contact Dermat. 2002;13(2):85-86. View abstract.

Cueva, J. [A case of contact dermatitis caused by cashew nuts]. Alergia. 1965;12(4):133-135. View abstract.

Davoren, M. and Peake, J. Cashew nut allergy is associated with a high risk of anaphylaxis. Arch.Dis.Child 2005;90(10):1084-1085. View abstract.

Diogenes, M. J., de Morais, S. M., and Carvalho, F. F. Contact dermatitis among cashew nut workers. Contact Dermatitis 1996;35(2):114-115. View abstract.

Felter, H. and Lloyd, J. King's American Dispensatory.1898.

Ferdman, R. M., Ong, P. Y., and Church, J. A. Pectin anaphylaxis and possible association with cashew allergy. Ann.Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2006;97(6):759-760. View abstract.

Fernandes, L. and Mesquita, A. M. Anacardium occidentale (cashew) pollen allergy in patients with allergic bronchial asthma. J.Allergy Clin.Immunol. 1995;95(2):501-504. View abstract.

Folster-Holst, R., Hausen, B. M., Brasch, J., and Christophers, E. [Contact allergy caused by poison ivy (Toxicodendron spp.]. Hautarzt 2001;52(2):136-142. View abstract.

Garcia, F., Moneo, I., Fernandez, B., Garcia-Menaya, J. M., Blanco, J., Juste, S., and Gonzalo. Allergy to Anacardiaceae: description of cashew and pistachio nut allergens. J.Investig.Allergol.Clin.Immunol. 2000;10(3):173-177. View abstract.

Goncalves, J. L., Lopes, R. C., Oliveira, D. B., Costa, S. S., Miranda, M. M., Romanos, M. T., Santos, N. S., and Wigg, M. D. In vitro anti-rotavirus activity of some medicinal plants used in Brazil against diarrhea. J Ethnopharmacol. 7-14-2005;99(3):403-407. View abstract.

Gruenwald, J. PDR for Herbal Medicines. Montvale: Medical Economics Company, Inc.;1998.

Hamilton, T. K. and Zug, K. A. Systemic contact dermatitis to raw cashew nuts in a pesto sauce. Am.J Contact Dermat. 1998;9(1):51-54. View abstract.

Inomata, N., Osuna, H., and Ikezawa, Z. [Oral allergy syndrome due to cashew nuts in the patient without pollinosis]. Arerugi 2006;55(1):38-42. View abstract.

Ippen, H. [Contact allergy to Anacardiaceae. A review and case reports of poison ivy allergy in central Europe]. Derm.Beruf.Umwelt. 1983;31(5):140-148. View abstract.

Kamtchouing, P., Sokeng, S. D., Moundipa, P. F., Watcho, P., Jatsa, H. B., and Lontsi, D. Protective role of Anacardium occidentale extract against streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 1998;62(2):95-99. View abstract.

Kubo, I., Kinst-Hori, I., and Yokokawa, Y. Tyrosinase inhibitors from Anacardium occidentale fruits. J Nat.Prod. 1994;57(4):545-551. View abstract.

Kudi, A. C., Umoh, J. U., Eduvie, L. O., and Gefu, J. Screening of some Nigerian medicinal plants for antibacterial activity. J Ethnopharmacol. 11-1-1999;67(2):225-228. View abstract.

Kumar, P. P., Stotz, S. C., Paramashivappa, R., Beedle, A. M., Zamponi, G. W., and Rao, A. S. Synthesis and evaluation of a new class of nifedipine analogs with T-type calcium channel blocking activity. Mol.Pharmacol. 2002;61(3):649-658. View abstract.

Maje, H. A. and Freedman, D. O. Cashew nut dermatitis in a returned traveler. J.Travel.Med. 2001;8(4):213-215. View abstract.

Marks, J. G., Jr., DeMelfi, T., McCarthy, M. A., Witte, E. J., Castagnoli, N., Epstein, W. L., and Aber, R. C. Dermatitis from cashew nuts. J.Am.Acad.Dermatol. 1984;10(4):627-631. View abstract.

Matthai, T. P. and Date, A. Renal cortical necrosis following exposure to sap of the marking-nut tree (Semecarpus anacardium). Am.J Trop.Med Hyg. 1979;28(4):773-774. View abstract.

Moreira, R. F., Trugo, L. C., Pietroluongo, M., and De Maria, C. A. Flavor composition of cashew (Anacardium occidentale) and marmeleiro (Croton species) honeys. J.Agric.Food Chem. 12-18-2002;50(26):7616-7621. View abstract.

Mota, M. L., Thomas, G., and Barbosa Filho, J. M. Anti-inflammatory actions of tannins isolated from the bark of Anacardium occidentale L. J Ethnopharmacol. 1985;13(3):289-300. View abstract.

Nguyen, A. D. and Gern, J. E. Food allergy masquerading as foreign body obstruction. Ann.Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2003;90(2):271-272. View abstract.

Nogueira Diogenes, M. J., Oliveira Ramos, F. D., Alencar Oliveira, A. D., and Coelho Nogueira, Diogenes P. Paronychia in cashew nut industry workers. Contact Dermatitis 2002;47(2):121. View abstract.

Pieters, M., Oosthuizen, W., Jerling, J. C., Loots, D. T., Mukuddem-Petersen, J., and Hanekom, S. M. Clustering of haemostatic variables and the effect of high cashew and walnut diets on these variables in metabolic syndrome patients. Blood Coagul.Fibrinolysis 2005;16(6):429-437. View abstract.

Premalatha, B. Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nuts--a boon in alternative medicine. Indian J Exp.Biol. 2000;38(12):1177-1182. View abstract.

Quercia, O., Rafanelli, S., Marsigli, L., Foschi, F. G., and Stefanini, G. F. Unexpected anaphylaxis to cashew nut. Allergy 1999;54(8):895-897. View abstract.

Rajendran, R., Anil, S., and Vijayakumar, T. A rare human model for oncogenesis. Singapore Dent.J 1988;13(1):49-52. View abstract.

Rance, F. and Dutau, G. [Asthma and food allergy: report of 163 pediatric cases]. Arch.Pediatr. 2002;9 Suppl 3:402s-407s. View abstract.

Ratner, J. H., Spencer, S. K., and Grainge, J. M. Cashew nut dermatitis. An example of internal-external contact-type hypersensitivity. Arch.Dermatol. 1974;110(6):921-923. View abstract.

Robotham, J. M., Wang, F., Seamon, V., Teuber, S. S., Sathe, S. K., Sampson, H. A., Beyer, K., Seavy, M., and Roux, K. H. Ana o 3, an important cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) allergen of the 2S albumin family. J Allergy Clin.Immunol. 2005;115(6):1284-1290. View abstract.

Rosen, T. and Fordice, D. B. Cashew nut dermatitis. South.Med.J. 1994;87(4):543-546. View abstract.

Salleh, M. N., Runnie, I., Roach, P. D., Mohamed, S., and Abeywardena, M. Y. Inhibition of low-density lipoprotein oxidation and up-regulation of low-density lipoprotein receptor in HepG2 cells by tropical plant extracts. J Agric.Food Chem. 6-19-2002;50(13):3693-3697. View abstract.

Schmourlo, G., Mendonca-Filho, R. R., Alviano, C. S., and Costa, S. S. Screening of antifungal agents using ethanol precipitation and bioautography of medicinal and food plants. J Ethnopharmacol. 1-15-2005;96(3):563-568. View abstract.

Schutte, A. E., Van Rooyen, J. M., Huisman, H. W., Mukuddem-Petersen, J., Oosthuizen, W., Hanekom, S. M., and Jerling, J. C. Modulation of baroreflex sensitivity by walnuts versus cashew nuts in subjects with metabolic syndrome. Am.J Hypertens. 2006;19(6):629-636. View abstract.

Singh, D., Aggarwal, A., Mathias, A., and Naik, S. Immunomodulatory activity of Semecarpus anacardium extract in mononuclear cells of normal individuals and rheumatoid arthritis patients. J Ethnopharmacol. 12-6-2006;108(3):398-406. View abstract.

Smit, H. F., Woerdenbag, H. J., Singh, R. H., Meulenbeld, G. J., Labadie, R. P., and Zwaving, J. H. Ayurvedic herbal drugs with possible cytostatic activity. J Ethnopharmacol. 7-7-1995;47(2):75-84. View abstract.

Stricker, W. E., Anorve-Lopez, E., and Reed, C. E. Food skin testing in patients with idiopathic anaphylaxis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1986;77(3):516-519. View abstract.

Thatte, U., Bagadey, S., and Dahanukar, S. Modulation of programmed cell death by medicinal plants. Cell Mol.Biol.(Noisy.-le-grand) 2000;46(1):199-214. View abstract.

Therapeutic Research Faculty. Natural medicines: a comprehensive database. Stockton:2003.

Thomson, C. D. and Robinson, M. F. Selenium content of foods consumed in Otago, New Zealand. N.Z.Med J 3-28-1990;103(886):130-135. View abstract.

Valim, M. F., Rouseff, R. L., and Lin, J. Gas chromatographic-olfactometric characterization of aroma compounds in two types of cashew apple nectar. J.Agric.Food Chem. 2-12-2003;51(4):1010-1015. View abstract.

Varghese, I., Rajendran, R., Sugathan, C. K., and Vijayakumar, T. Prevalence of oral submucous fibrosis among the cashew workers of Kerala-south India. Indian J.Cancer 1986;23(2):101-104. View abstract.

Wang, F., Robotham, J. M., Teuber, S. S., Sathe, S. K., and Roux, K. H. Ana o 2, a major cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) nut allergen of the legumin family. Int.Arch.Allergy Immunol. 2003;132(1):27-39. View abstract.

Wang, F., Robotham, J. M., Teuber, S. S., Tawde, P., Sathe, S. K., and Roux, K. H. Ana o 1, a cashew (Anacardium occidental) allergen of the vicilin seed storage protein family. J.Allergy Clin.Immunol. 2002;110(1):160-166. View abstract.

de Leon, M. P., Glaspole, I. N., Drew, A. C., Rolland, J. M., O'Hehir, R. E., and Suphioglu, C. Immunological analysis of allergenic cross-reactivity between peanut and tree nuts. Clin.Exp.Allergy 2003;33(9):1273-1280. View abstract.

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182

Felix, V. N. and Viebig, R. G. [Recommended diet for reflux spectrophotometry]. Arq Gastroenterol. 2003;40(1):20-24. View abstract.

Fernandez, C., Fiandor, A., Martinez-Garate, A., and Martinez, Quesada J. Allergy to pistachio: crossreactivity between pistachio nut and other Anacardiaceae. Clin.Exp.Allergy 1995;25(12):1254-1259. View abstract.

Goetz, D. W., Whisman, B. A., and Goetz, A. D. Cross-reactivity among edible nuts: double immunodiffusion, crossed immunoelectrophoresis, and human specific igE serologic surveys. Ann.Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2005;95(1):45-52. View abstract.

Kakemizu, N., Yamakawa, Y., Aihara, M., and Ikezawa, Z. [A case of cashew nut allergy followed by almond allergy]. Arerugi 2003;52(10):1022-1026. View abstract.

Parra, F. M., Cuevas, M., Lezaun, A., Alonso, M. D., Beristain, A. M., and Losada, E. Pistachio nut hypersensitivity: identification of pistachio nut allergens. Clin.Exp.Allergy 1993;23(12):996-1001. View abstract.

Rasanen, L., Makinen-Kiljunen, S., and Harvima, R. J. Pectin and cashew nut allergy: cross-reacting allergens? Allergy 1998;53(6):626-628. View abstract.