What is the use of porcupine Tablet? A Scientific Look at a Traditional Remedy

October 7, 2025 •

4 min read

In some markets, the price for porcupine bezoars, often processed into a 'porcupine tablet,' can be worth more than their weight in gold [1.7.5]. So, what is the use of porcupine Tablet, and how do its traditional claims stand up to scientific scrutiny?

Quick Summary

A detailed examination of the 'porcupine tablet,' a traditional remedy derived from porcupine bezoars. This article investigates its historical use in TCM for various ailments and contrasts anecdotal claims with current scientific evidence and safety concerns.

Key Points

Not a Pharmaceutical Drug: 'Porcupine tablet' refers to a traditional remedy made from porcupine bezoars, which are calcified masses of undigested material from the animal's gut [1.4.1, 1.3.5].
Traditional Uses: In folk medicine, it is claimed to treat serious ailments like cancer, dengue fever, and infections, and to aid in post-surgical recovery [1.6.4, 1.3.5].
Limited Scientific Proof: There is no robust scientific evidence from human clinical trials to support its medicinal claims; existing research is mostly limited to lab cells and small animals [1.4.1, 1.5.5].
Significant Health Risks: The use of porcupine bezoars carries risks, including unknown toxicity, lack of regulation, and the danger of delaying effective, proven medical treatments [1.9.6, 1.3.1].
High Cost and Rarity: Porcupine bezoars are extremely expensive due to their rarity, a cost that is not correlated with any proven medical benefit [1.7.5].
Consult a Doctor First: It is crucial to consult a qualified medical professional before using any alternative remedies like porcupine tablets, especially for serious conditions [1.3.1].

What is a 'Porcupine Tablet?'

A 'porcupine tablet' is not a modern pharmaceutical drug but a preparation of a traditional remedy known as a porcupine bezoar [1.3.5]. Bezoars are masses of undigested material, typically plant-based (phytobezoars), that calcify and form a stone-like concretion within an animal's gastrointestinal tract [1.4.1, 1.9.5]. These are rare occurrences and are found in animals like porcupines, goats, and monkeys [1.8.6]. Also known as 'porcupine dates,' these bezoars are highly valued in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and other folk medicine systems across Southeast Asia [1.8.5, 1.3.1]. They are typically ground into a powder and sold in that form or compressed into tablets or capsules [1.8.3].

The Origins and Value in Traditional Medicine

The use of bezoars as medicine dates back centuries, with mentions in the 10th century [1.4.1]. The word 'bezoar' is derived from a Persian word for 'antidote' [1.7.5]. Historically, they were considered a panacea or 'universal medicine,' used to treat everything from fevers and poisoning to deadly diseases like cholera and the plague [1.8.1, 1.3.5]. Due to their rarity and purported power, porcupine bezoars were once presented as gifts to royalty and could fetch enormous prices, sometimes as much as forty times their weight in gold in the 16th to 19th centuries [1.7.5, 1.8.6]. This high demand continues today, fueling both legal and illegal trade and raising conservation concerns for porcupine species like Hystrix brachyura [1.3.1, 1.6.4, 1.8.2].

Claimed Health Benefits and Traditional Uses

Practitioners of traditional medicine and anecdotal reports claim porcupine bezoars have a wide array of therapeutic properties. They are most famously used for severe illnesses [1.3.5].

Key traditional claims include:

Cancer Treatment: It is widely used as an alternative or complementary treatment for various cancers, with some believing it can inhibit tumor growth and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy [1.3.3, 1.6.2].
Dengue Fever: In Southeast Asia, it is a popular folk remedy for dengue fever [1.6.4, 1.8.5].
Post-Surgical Recovery: Proponents claim it speeds up wound healing, reduces pain and inflammation, and boosts the immune system after surgery [1.3.5].
Infections and Inflammation: It is used to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions, fevers, and infections [1.3.1, 1.3.5].
Other Ailments: Other reported uses include treatment for epilepsy, diabetes, hepatitis, and typhoid [1.3.7, 1.3.5].

The Science Behind the Claims: What Research Shows

While traditional use is extensive, modern scientific evidence to support these claims is limited and largely preliminary. Most research consists of in-vitro (cell culture) or in-vivo studies on small animals like zebrafish, not large-scale human clinical trials [1.4.1, 1.3.1].

Anticancer Properties: Several in-vitro studies have shown that extracts from porcupine bezoars can inhibit the growth of certain cancer cell lines, including melanoma, colon cancer, and cervical cancer [1.5.4, 1.5.2, 1.5.1]. Some studies suggest these effects may be due to the induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death) and arresting the cell cycle [1.5.2]. One 2019 study identified compounds like stearic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid as possibly contributing to these effects [1.4.1]. However, the same study emphasizes that more experiments in higher-level animal models are needed to validate these claims [1.4.1].
Anti-Dengue Properties: A 2020 study investigated porcupine date extracts against the dengue virus (DENV-2) in-vitro. It found that the extracts, particularly their tannin-rich components, could inhibit viral attachment and replication in cells [1.4.7]. The authors concluded that the bezoars have potential but that further in-vivo investigation is required [1.4.7].
Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects: Research has identified antioxidant compounds like tannins in porcupine bezoars [1.8.5]. Some studies show they can scavenge free radicals and reduce inflammatory markers in-vitro [1.4.5, 1.3.5].

It is critical to note that while these laboratory findings are of interest, they do not prove effectiveness or safety in humans [1.5.5]. The chemical composition of a bezoar can vary greatly depending on the porcupine's diet and the age of the bezoar, making standardization impossible [1.7.1].

Porcupine Bezoar vs. Conventional Medicine: A Comparison


Feature	Porcupine Bezoar (Tablet)	Conventional Medicine
Basis of Efficacy	Primarily anecdotal evidence and traditional use; limited in-vitro scientific studies [1.3.1, 1.5.5].	Rigorous scientific evidence from multi-phase human clinical trials.
Regulation	Largely unregulated; authenticity and quality are not guaranteed [1.3.5].	Strictly regulated for safety, efficacy, and quality by agencies like the FDA.
Dosage	Not standardized; dosage is based on tradition and can vary widely [1.4.1].	Standardized, prescribed doses based on extensive testing.
Side Effects	Poorly documented; potential for contamination and toxicity. Some studies show toxicity in animal models [1.9.6].	Studied, documented, and monitored, with risk-benefit analysis.
Cost	Extremely high due to rarity, with no correlation to proven efficacy [1.3.5, 1.8.3].	Varies widely; often covered by health insurance.

Risks and Safety Considerations

The use of porcupine tablets carries significant risks:

Lack of Regulation: The market for bezoars is poorly regulated, leading to concerns about authenticity, contamination with heavy metals or bacteria, and the presence of fraudulent products [1.3.5, 1.8.6].
Toxicity: A 2020 study on zebrafish embryos found that porcupine bezoar extracts exhibited significant toxicological effects and teratogenicity (the ability to cause birth defects) [1.9.6]. The study concluded its use requires medical attention to determine a safe dose [1.9.6].
Delaying Proven Treatment: For serious conditions like cancer, relying on an unproven remedy like a porcupine tablet can lead individuals to delay or forgo effective, evidence-based medical treatments, which can have life-threatening consequences [1.3.1].

Conclusion: A Bridge Between Tradition and Modern Scrutiny

The porcupine tablet, or bezoar, holds a significant place in the history of traditional medicine. While modern laboratory research has begun to investigate the chemical basis for some of its purported effects, there is a profound lack of robust scientific evidence from human trials to support its use for treating cancer, dengue, or other serious diseases [1.3.1, 1.5.5]. The claims remain largely anecdotal. Given the significant risks, including potential toxicity, lack of regulation, and the danger of delaying proven medical care, its use cannot be recommended. Individuals should always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before considering any alternative therapies, especially for life-threatening conditions.

For more information on evidence-based cancer treatments, consider visiting the National Cancer Institute.

Frequently Asked Questions

A porcupine bezoar is a stone-like mass of undigested material, usually plant matter, that forms in the gastrointestinal tract of a porcupine. It is also known as a phytobezoar or a 'porcupine date' [1.4.1, 1.8.5].

There is no scientific evidence to prove that porcupine tablets can cure cancer in humans [1.3.1, 1.5.5]. While some lab studies on cancer cells have shown inhibitory effects, these findings are preliminary and have not been replicated in human trials [1.5.4]. Relying on it for cancer treatment is not advised.

The safety of porcupine tablets is not established. They are largely unregulated, and their chemical composition varies. Studies in animal models have shown evidence of toxicity and teratogenicity (risk of birth defects), indicating potential harm [1.9.6].

Porcupine bezoars are extremely expensive because they are very rare—not every porcupine develops one. Their high price is driven by traditional beliefs in their medicinal value and historical prestige, not by scientifically proven efficacy [1.3.5, 1.7.5].

Traditionally, the bezoar is ground into a fine powder. This powder is then often mixed with water to be consumed, or it may be sold in capsules or tablets [1.8.3].

Yes, traditional classifications exist for porcupine bezoars based on their appearance, such as 'blood date,' 'grassy date,' 'powdery date,' and 'black date' [1.4.3]. These types are perceived to have different qualities and can vary in price [1.4.3].

There is no difference; 'porcupine date' is another name for a porcupine bezoar, commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and folk medicine circles [1.8.5, 1.3.1].

No, major health authorities like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have not approved porcupine bezoars or tablets as a treatment for any disease. They are sold as unregulated traditional or dietary supplements.