Bromelain is an enzyme called a proteolytic enzyme. It's found in pineapple juice and pineapple stems.
Bromelain causes the body to produce substances that fight pain and swelling. Bromelain also contains chemicals that seem to interfere with tumor cells and slow blood clotting.
Bromelain is used for muscle soreness, pain, burns, kidney stones, and many other conditions, but there is not enough scientific evidence to support these uses.
Do not confuse bromelain with other proteolytic enzymes (proteases), such as chymotrypsin, ficin, papain, serrapeptase, or trypsin. These are not the same.
Bromelain is a group of enzymes found in the fruit and stem of the pineapple plant. Pineapples are native to the Americas, but are now grown in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Historically, native peoples of Central and South America used pineapples for various ailments, such as digestive disorders.
Bromelain is promoted as a dietary supplement to reduce pain and swelling after surgery or injury, especially in the nose and sinuses, gums, and other body areas. It has also been promoted as a treatment for osteoarthritis, cancer, digestive problems, and muscle soreness. Topical bromelain may be used for burns.
There is little research on the use of bromelain for sinusitis, whose symptoms include nasal swelling. Several studies have looked at using bromelain to remove dead skin after burns and pain and other symptoms after wisdom tooth surgery. There is little research on other uses of bromelain.
