Ratti (Gunja): benefits and side effects

Ratti, also called gunja or Abrus precatorius, is a wiry climber found in the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The plant has toxic red seeds and tamarind like compound leaves that have seven to 24 pairs of leaflets each.

The name Abrus precatorius comes from Greek words Abrus meaning graceful and precatorius meaning prayer of petitions; hence the plant is also called rosary pea.

Ratti has long been used in traditional medicine for the management of various health conditions including tetanus, snake bites and leucoderma (white patches appear on the skin in this autoimmune conditions, also known as vitiligo).

However, various ancient Indian texts also mention that it is poisonous, and give directions on ways to purify it before use. Purified gunja seeds are known to be bitter and astringent and help in alleviating kapha and vata doshas.

Some facts about ratti:

Botanical name: Abrus precatorius
Family name: Fabaceae
Common names: Jequirity bean, Rosary pea, Precatory bean, Crab’s eye, Gunja, Mulati, Rati, Buddist rosary beeds, Indian liquorice root
Sanskrit name: Raktika, Gunja, Kakananti
Parts used: Seeds, roots, leaves
Geographical distribution: Ratti is native to India and is found all over the Indian plains and in the Himalayas. It also grows in Ceylon, China, South Africa, Brazil and the West Indies.
Interesting facts: In ancient India, jewellers used ratti seeds to weigh stones and gold, as according to Ayurvedic texts, the seeds of this plant weigh about 1 ratti or 125 mg each. However, modern texts put these seeds at about 105 mg. Gunja has special significance in the Hindu texts and is believed to have some magical properties.

Ratti (gunja) types and toxicology
Ratti (gunja) health benefits
Ratti (gunja) dosage
Ratti (gunja) side effects

Doctors for Ratti benefits and side effects

Ratti (gunja) types and toxicology

Two varieties of gunja are mentioned in various texts. These include shwet gunja or white ratti and rakt gunja or red ratti. Out of these, white ratti is considered to be highly toxic.

Ratti is neurotoxic (can cause damage to the nerves and brain) and cytotoxic (can damage body cells) in nature. Abrin, the main toxic compound in ratti, is antigenic in nature. That is, it promotes antibody production when it enters the body. Abrin is a type of toxalbumin (a type of protein) that causes RBC agglutination and leads to hemolysis (break down of red blood cells). It also leads to fat depletion.

Exposure to toxic amounts of gunja can lead to severe gastroenteritis, dehydration and shock. When ingested, gunja seeds can affect various organs including the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, lymphatic system, spleen and liver. Extract of this plant can damage the eye on direct contact.

Here are some of the symptoms of toxicity from ratti/gunja:

Burning mouth and food pipe
Difficulty breathing
Blood in vomit
Severe gastroenteritis
Vomiting
Stomach pain
Diarrhoea
Black and tarry faeces
Weakness
Bluish discolouration of lips, skin and nails
Drowsiness
Stupor
Convulsions
Reduced urine output (later stage)
Conjunctivitis and blindness on eye exposure

Ratti poisoning is diagnosed through the presentation of typical symptoms, remnants of seeds in the mouth and gastric aspirate. It is not fatal when diagnosed and treated on time. First-aid usually includes clearing the airways of the person and removing any remnants of the plant material (if present) from their mouth. In case of eye exposure, make sure to wash your eyes properly.

Anti-abrin injections are used to treat the poisoning along with gastric lavage (washing out the toxins from the gut).

Amaranthus stenosis juice, when given with sugar candy, is said to be a household remedy for ratti/gunja poisoning. However, it is best to consult your doctor in case you or someone you know shows symptoms of the condition.

Placing ratti seeds in a cotton pouch and boiling them for about 6 hours in cow’s milk is said to detoxify the seeds for medicinal use.

Interestingly, ratti leaves and seeds are considered to be highly nutritious and are consumed in various parts of India.

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Ratti (gunja) health benefits

Ratti plant is traditionally used to treat tetanus and scratches and wounds caused by animals like dogs, mice and cats.

It is known to have laxative (aids bowel movement), aphrodisiac (increases libido) and expectorant (helps remove excess phlegm) properties. The roots, leaves and seeds of the ratti plant are said to contain several active compounds that provide it with pharmacological and medicinal properties. The plant is purified and processed to remove its toxins before use.

Here are some of the health benefits of ratti plant:

Ratti (gunja) helps manage diabetes

While there is no clinical data on the efficacy of ratti plant extracts against diabetes, it is traditionally used by some tribes in South Africa to manage the condition.

A few preclinical studies also indicate that various parts of this plant may aid in the management of blood sugar levels.

One such study done in India found that A. precatorius leaf extracts have antihyperglycemic effects as they promote insulin secretion in the body. In another study, administration of ratti leaf extracts was shown to aid in recovering damaged beta cells in the pancreas (the cells that produce insulin) and increase the overall cross-sectional area of pancreatic beta-cells. Additionally, the extract was suggested to be effective in reducing the weight gain associated with diabetes mellitus.

In a study done on diabetic rabbits, the menthol-chloroform seed extracts of ratti plant were indicated to have antihyperglycemic effects similar to the drug chlorpropamide, which is used to manage type 2 diabetes.

Anti-malarial effects of ratti (gunja)

Malaria is an infection that spreads via the bite of a female anopheles mosquito. The malarial parasite enters the body of a person through the salivary glands of disease-carrying mosquitoes and causes symptoms like fever, headache, and chills.

Now, ratti plant is traditionally used in Madagascar, an island nation in Africa, for the treatment of malaria. Both in vitro (lab studies) and in vivo (animal studies) indicate the anti-malarial activity of the leaf extract of ratti plant. As per the studies, the extracts are effective in killing the malarial parasite Plasmodium thus preventing the spread of the infection. The leaf extracts were also found to prevent weight gain and improve white blood cells and haemoglobin in mice.

Ethanol extracts of ratti leaf were found to be effective against Plasmodium in a study done in India.

Read more: Home remedies for malaria

Antimicrobial effects of ratti (gunja)

Lab tests show that the A. precatorius leaves, seed oil and root extracts are effective against bacteria including:

Staphylococcus aureus (affects soft tissues and skin)
Enterococcus faecalis (causes urinary tract infections)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (causes pneumonia and blood infections)
E. coli (causes diarrhoea and dysentery)

In a study done in India, compounds like flavanols, alkaloids, glycosides and phenols were indicated to be responsible for the antimicrobial effects of A. precatorius. A recent study published in the Research Journal of Medicinal Plants found that ratti leaf extracts can inhibit the growth of multidrug-resistant bacteria including S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa that usually infect open wounds and hence can be used in the management of such wounds.

Ratti (gunja) is effective against migraine headache

In Ayurveda, ratti plant is used for the treatment of migraine. Studies done on mice and frogs indicate that this plant affects serotonin levels and helps control migraine headaches. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that helps pass signals between brain cells. It controls pain, mood, and sleep. Serotonin also affects dilation and constriction of blood vessels. Changes in serotonin levels can trigger a migraine.

According to a study done in India, at least five different compounds present in the ratti plant can help inhibit migraine headaches and can be studied further to be used for their antimigraine activity.

More studies are still needed to better understand the effects or benefits of ratti plant in the management of migraines.

Read more: Home remedies for migraines

Ratti (gunja) may help manage arthritis

Arthritis is an umbrella term for a group of conditions marked by inflammation and pain in joints. The condition is mostly treated with medications and therapy. Now, a study done on mice has indicated that ratti extracts possess potent anti-inflammatory activity that may be effective in the management of arthritis.

Similar results were obtained in another study done on albino rats using aqueous extracts of A. precatorius leaves. However, due to the absence of clinical studies, there is no confirmatory evidence to prove the anti-inflammatory effects of ratti plant in humans.

Read more: Exercises for arthritis

Ratti (gunja) to prevent and treat hair loss

Traditionally, ratti seed powder mixed with sesame oil is used to treat alopecia and hair loss. An in vitro study done in India indicated that ratti seed extracts help inhibit the activity of 5-alpha reductase, which stops the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, an androgen (male sex hormone) responsible for androgenic alopecia or male/female pattern baldness.

In another study done on mice, ratti seed oil was found to be effective in promoting hair growth as well as reducing fungal infection of the scalp.

However, clinical studies are still needed to confirm the evidence and hence it is best to talk to an experienced ayurvedic doctor before using ratti seed oil or any part of this plant for alopecia.

Anticancer effects of ratti (gunja)

Several studies indicate the anticancer and antitumor potential of ratti plant extracts. Aqueous extracts of A precatorius seeds have been shown to reduce the growth of sarcoma (cancer in connective tissues) in mice when given intraperitoneally. Peritoneum is a thin membrane surrounding the abdomen.

In a lab study done in Bangalore, India, leaf extract of ratti plant was indicated to be effective in promoting apoptosis (cell death) in breast cancer cells. The findings were confirmed by another study done on MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.

Read more: Breast cancer treatment

According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, A. precatorius can induce cell death in monocyte leukaemia cell line.

Other benefits of ratti (gunja)

Here are some other health benefits of ratti plant that don’t have any scientific evidence:

Ratti seeds are taken in some parts of Africa for the treatment of painful swelling and tuberculosis.
Ayurvedic doctors use this herb for the treatment of conditions such as conjunctivitis, urticaria and eczema.
One gram of ratti seed powder, when consumed along with rice starch, is believed to aid in reducing leucorrhea within 15 days.
Ratti leaves are also believed to be effective in treating cold and fever.
Ratti seeds (about 100 g) when taken with butter or ghee are said to be effective against stomach ache. (Read more: Ghee or butter: which is healthier for you)
A decoction prepared from dried ratti roots is traditionally used in some places to treat hepatitis and bronchitis.
Ratti is said to be helpful in preventing rabies.
About six grams of ratti seeds are said to provide relief from knee pain when taken with milk.
Ratti plant is also used in some traditional medicines for the treatment of leucoderma or vitiligo and acne.

Ratti (gunja) dosage

Ratti is a poisonous plant and can be fatal even in small amounts when taken raw. It is always best to consult an experienced Ayurvedic doctor before taking this plant in any form. However, according to an article published in the World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research, here are some of the medicinal dosages of ratti plant:

Detoxified seed powder: 30 to 125 mg (should not exceed 250 mg per day)
Ratti root/leaf powder: 500 to 2000 mg (not exceeding 4 g per day)

It is important to note that this is not a standard dosage, and your doctor will prescribe the dosage as per your age and health.

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Ratti (gunja) side effects

Ratti plant is poisonous when consumed raw. However, even after detoxification, the plant has some potential side effects, which include:

Ratti is a potent abortifacient. Pregnant women should avoid this plant.
It is also said to have antispermatogenic effects; that is, it could interfere with the process of sperm production.
In a case series published in the Journal of Indian System of Medicine, ratti seed paste was found to cause itching, redness and rashes.
Ratti has shown antihyperglycemic effects. If you have low blood sugar or are taking medications to control your blood glucose levels, make sure to talk to your doctor before you take ratti.
If you have a chronic disease or are taking any medications, do not use ratti without consulting your physician.