Casearia sylvestris
Evidence: MixedUseful mainly for no well-supported human use.
Quick decision guide
May help most
no well-supported human use
Common dosing range
not established for human supplementation
When to expect effects
Unknown
Watch out for
Human safety and efficacy are unstudied; quality and identity of products vary
What is it
Casearia sylvestris (guacatonga) is a South American shrub whose leaves are used in traditional Brazilian medicine for inflammation, stomach complaints, wounds, and snakebite. Its activity is attributed to clerodane diterpenes (casearins) and other constituents. Evidence is almost entirely preclinical; controlled human trials are lacking.
Is it worth it for you?
Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.
Worth considering if…
Probably skip if…
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Evidence | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activity | Mixed Evidence | Not demonstrated in humans | none established | Unknown |
Evidence for 1 use
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activity
Mechanism onlyLaboratory and animal studies report anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, antiulcer, and antivenom activity for Casearia sylvestris extracts and its casearin diterpenes. These findings have not been confirmed in controlled human trials, so any benefit in people remains unproven.
Bottom line: Traditional and preclinical use only; no human evidence of efficacy.
How to take it
- Typical dose
- not established
- Timing
- not established
- With food
- not established
- How long to try
- not applicable
What to track
- any adverse effects
- product identity and sourcing
Safety
Common side effects
not well characterized in humans
Who should avoid it
- pregnant or breastfeeding people
- children
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
No safety data; avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Choosing a product
Look for
- verified botanical identity (Casearia sylvestris)
- clear plant part and extract details
- contaminant testing
Be skeptical of
- snakebite or antivenom cure claims
- anti-inflammatory or ulcer-healing guarantees
- cancer-related marketing from cell-line studies
References by claim
Track Casearia sylvestris with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.