Updated 1/8/16
WHAT IS BROMELAIN?
Bromelain is an all natural enzyme derived from the pineapple plant, primarily extracted from its stem. It effectively treats many causes of inflammation and is used in Oncology as a secondary treatment in cancer therapy.
BROMELAIN HISTORY
The enzyme has been widely used medicinally by Central and South Americans for several hundred years. The first documented extraction of the pineapple enzyme occurred in South America the late 1800’s. Bromelain was introduced into the United States as a supplement in 1957. In 1993, Germany’s “Commission E” (the country’s governmental regulation agency comparable to the FDA) approved the use of Bromelain to serve as a post-surgery anti-inflammatory.
USES AND BENEFITS OF BROMELAIN
Bromelain is known to relieve symptoms associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, post-surgery inflammation (including dental), sprains, tendinitis, allergies, sinusitis, ear nose & throat inflammation, general joint pain. It also aids in digestion, treats digestive inflammatory disorders and aids in burn wound care.
Notably, Bromelain is also used as a natural alternative to prevent and treat cancer. “Research published in the journal Planta Medica found that bromelain was superior to the chemotherapy drug 5-fluorauracil in treating cancer in an animal study…” ~ source
Surprising Cancer-Fighting Benefits Of Pineapple Enzyme
What Big Pharma Doesn’t Want You To Now About Bromelain
RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS
Although much safer than Pharma medications, Bromelain may still cause mild side effects in comparison to conventional meds. Bromelain could have a blood-thinning effect when used in conjunction with certain prescription medications. Diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain are among other adverse symptoms. Do not use Bromelain if you are allergic to pineapples.
More Details On Possible Side Effects of Bromelain
THE GREEDY FAMILY’S USE OF BROMELAIN
Bromelain has been a medicinal staple in The Greedy Family’s house since about 2009. The husband first used it after exploring natural sinusitis treatments during a time when he didn’t have health insurance. Since then, Bromelain has helped our entire family treat allergies, sinus inflammation, and avoid full blown episodes of miserable sinusitis. Bromelain helps us to steer clear of Pharma antibiotics and their troubling side effects. No one in our family has experienced adverse side effects from the use of Bromelain. I recently used Bromelain to calm down a bad case of the hives. The itching and discomfort lessen tremendously within 30 minutes of my taking one 1,500mg Bromelain caplet.
More Info On Using Bromelain For Children
“WHICH BRAND OF BROMELAIN SHOULD I BUY?”
After trying several different brands, we settled on Nature’s Plus Ultra Bromelain 1500 mg capsules
Bromelain is a safer, low cost, natural option in comparison to Pharma drugs. If you or a loved one suffers from any type of inflammation or is facing cancer, consider the use of Bromelain in your supplement regimen.
The topic presented is for informational purposes. I am not a medical professional and make no guarantees regarding the natural health remedies you use.
mimi says
July 21, 2012 at 7:28 amMy Sweetie used to get regular sinus infections and sinus headaches, but the neti pot cleared most of that up. We will look into this next time symptoms come back, thank you.
Yum Yucky says
July 21, 2012 at 8:08 amoh ya. we love the sinus rinses here. Well, as much as you can “love” water up the nostrils. Bromelain + sinus rinse = powerhouse solution
Trish @I_am_Succeeding says
July 21, 2012 at 10:07 amI bought this after you suggested it…just need to get the ok from surgeon to still use it.
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KCLAnderson (Karen) says
July 21, 2012 at 12:06 pmI bought some of this but have been afraid to use it because I fear stomach upset. Do you/your family take it every day?
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Yum Yucky says
July 21, 2012 at 1:41 pmWe only take it when an issue pops up — not every single for maintenance. I usually only need it for 2 days in a row. Husband has used it for 3-4 days in a row. 1500mg is the max daily dose recommended. You could get the capsules with lesser dosage (500mg) and take 3x/day, but we prefer the 1500mg for 1x daily to just get it over with. For the littlest Greedies, their 40mg dose of Bromelain is low, and we give them no more than two chewables daily for several days in a row when they’re having seasonal allergy issues. I’m wondering if stomach complaints with Bromelain are rare (but not sure), since all six in our family never experienced that issue.
Cort the Sport says
July 21, 2012 at 12:48 pmGood info…I have some of this. I bought it a while back as an anti-inflammatory, decided I needed to do some research on it before I really committed to using it, then I never did. So there it sits. This is encouraging me to rethink it…it might be good for those weeks when I’m feeling inflamed/sore in multiple areas too.
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Yum Yucky says
July 21, 2012 at 1:43 pmoh yesss. For you especially, I think it could be a very good recovery tool. Take ‘yo Bromelain!! Do you do Yoga, too?
Gigi Eats Celebrities says
July 21, 2012 at 11:29 pmI take bromelain every day because it’s a part of my QUERCETIN supplement! Do a post on Quercetin, it’s a NATURAL antihistamine that HELPS ME fight off all of my millions of allergies! Whenever I go visit my family, I always start sneezing, wheezing, hacking, running, etc… yet when I start taking quercetin, BAM! GONE!! And I can play with my doggies! LOVE
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Yum Yucky says
July 21, 2012 at 11:42 pmI have Quercetin, too! Great minds think alike. 😉
merri says
July 31, 2012 at 8:20 pmooh i am allergic to my new cat but dont want to take allergy meds every day. i’ll research this quercetin stuff, thx.
Sophie says
July 26, 2012 at 5:03 amWow there’s a CHEWABLE Bromelain? I’m kicking myself for not knowing this! You’re a lifesaver Josie. Cheers!
John says
September 18, 2012 at 5:03 pmI have severe hayfever during the spring and summer months and I take an over the counter antihistamine, but I would prefer using something more natural. I used to take a supplement that contained a lot of nettles, but it always gave me an upset stomach (a common side effect of consuming nettles). This may also cause an upset stomach, but I will certainly give it a try anyways!
Esther says
September 19, 2016 at 4:46 amI would like to know if bromelain is good for inflammation of sinus?i get severe sinus infection.I have tried everything.
Thank you
yumyucky says
September 21, 2016 at 1:11 pmHi Esther. About 10 years ago, when my husband didn’t have health insurance, he discovered Bromelain. He was looking for natural ways to control his sinus issues, and after all these years he still uses it. The link in my post is the best Bromelain there is, in our personal experience. My hubby no longer sees a doctor for sinus issues since the Bromelain, combined with some other over the counter stuff, like Sudafed, does a good job at controlling it before it leads to a full blown sinus infection.
Nightbird says
June 18, 2017 at 7:07 pmAdvice please: I lost my sense of smell about 3 months ago after taking a generic for Afrin for a week for a stuffy nose..and my ENT doctor ordered a cat scan and after looking at it said my sinuses are inflamed and recommended surgery. But before I do surgery..I am trying to cure this naturally with Bromelain and Serrapeptase. The problem is that the Bromelain is upsetting my stomach. I am taking four 500mg capsules twice a day on an empty stomach (as recommended on websites)..and they are the strongest I could find in terms of their GDU (gelatin digesting units) which is 3,000 per capsule. I’m willing to suffer with the stomach aches if it’s working..but..can you please tell me how long and how often your husband took them before he found relief? I know this is an individual thing..but I just want a ballpark so I don’t take them more than necessary. Thanks so much!
yumyucky says
June 22, 2017 at 9:42 amTry not taking it on an empty stomach. We usually always take it with food. My hubby’s relief wasn’t instantaneous after popping a pill but he did get full relief over the course of a few days. And as he continued to take it the episodes decreased. It became totally controllable without pharma medication. I hope your inflammation has calmed down. I, myself have had sinus surgery. It was a miserable recovery (I didn’t go back to work for 2.5 weeks), but it did the trick so well that I would go through it again if I had to (which I don’t because it worked. lol)
Amy says
January 22, 2018 at 5:12 pmThank you so much for your post. It saved me from severe sinus infections. God bless the owner of this blog. I’m using this Nature Plus Ultra 1500mg and I can say with confidence it works. It also worked for other member of my family suffering from Sinus infections since last 5 years. Natural remedies are the way to go. Thanks yumyucky.
yumyucky says
February 2, 2018 at 2:54 pmHi Amy. I’m so glad this has worked for you!