Bromelain is made from pineapples and used for a variety of health purposes, mostly due to its content of digestion-supporting enzymes. Children might use bromelain to help to treat digestive problems, asthma or sinusitis. Because bromelain isn't an approved treatment for any medical condition, you must consult your child's physician before giving her any remedy containing bromelain.
Function
Bromelain contains several natural enzymes that digest proteins called proteolytic enzymes, explains the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Bromelain appears to have anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet and anticancer actions, as well as debriding effects on wounds due to burns, says the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Bromelain's anti-platelet function prevents excessive clotting of your blood, and the remedy also may offer pain-relieving actions.
Effects
You might use bromelain to help to treat sinusitis or heal wounds, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Bromelain is also sometimes recommended for treating tendonitis, urinary tract infections, sprains and strains, as well as for promoting healing after surgery. Other common uses of bromelain include treating digestive problems and phlebitis, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Talk with your child's doctor before giving him bromelain for any of these health purposes.
Potential
If your child bruises easily or suffers from hemorrhoids, bromelain might have the potential to help, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Children with ulcerative colitis, arthritis and gout could also benefit from using bromelain. If your child has asthma, bromelain could reduce her symptoms, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Bromelain may have uses in treating or preventing cancer, reducing fluid retention, easing indigestion, healing burns and treating circulatory disorders, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. For adults, bromelain may help to treat prostatitis, angina, low back pain, chronic venous insufficiency and dysmenorrhea. No conclusive medical research supports the use of bromelain for any of these purposes, however.
Considerations
Bromelain is a widely available, over-the-counter remedy that's marketed by many different manufacturers, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Therefore, the recommended dosage of bromelain varies widely among different brands. Like any other over-the-counter medicinal product, you should ask your child's doctor about the safe dosage before administering bromelain. Depending on your child's health status and prescribed medications, bromelain may be unsafe and may cause potentially serious complications.
Warning
Your child could experience side effects such as diarrhea and other gastrointestinal complaints while taking bromelain, says the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Bromelain could also cause an allergic reaction in some people. Bromelain can interact negatively with certain medications, such as sedatives like benzodiazepines, antibiotics and blood-thinners such as Coumadin, warns the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Most importantly, the scientific research for bromelain has yet to establish that the remedy is safe for children.
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