Chara - I hope that somebody will answer you. I would be very careful, just in case in large quantities might be poison.

I was in Mexico and I have never seen those, also I am familiar with the shamans herbal medicine from the Amazon. In Arizona they sell a lot of things from Mexico in the markets and I have not seen those nuts. Native American people near the border and in Arizona have a weight problem after switching their own diet to refined sugar and flour. When I was there there was the talk about going back to food their ancestors used.

Silvia

It's the nut from the Castor Bean plant. It is toxic.

Here's a link for more info and includes pictures:

http://waynesword.palomar.edu/plmar99.htm

W/ apologies to saintpfla, the seeds above look nothing like any castor beans I've ever seen nor do they look anything like the images in the link provided either.

My suggestion is to post this over @ the 'Name That Plant' forum - lotsa knowledgeable folks there....

My vote is for the Kukui (candle nut)

If you look at the 7th pic in the link that Saint posted, you'll see the brownish colored seeds and they look exactly like the seeds outside the shell in the op's photo. The op's photo seeds may have been bleached to whiten them. They list them as the Kukui (candle nut)

This link from the original page discusses them in more detail and states that they are used as a strong purgative or laxative, hence the weight loss claim. Albeit temporary I would imagine...:>)

Here is a link that might be useful: Kukui (candle nut)

look like "lucky nut" oleander...yikes

I think wallisadi may have hit on the answer - check out this page....

Here is a link that might be useful: Thevetia Peruviana

The op's photos show a seed pod with a single seed, whereas the oleanders seeds are a double seed pod. I'm still sticking with Kukui...

Did you ever correctly id these? An old coworker of mine got these from her relative and used them for major weight loss but I don't remember what she called them.

yes it seems it is yellow oleander seeds.“Almendra Quema Grasa” .Very toxic.

http://www.fresno.ucsf.edu/em/toxicology/documents/Oct13_ToxTidbits.pdf

Yes, they are yellow oleander or "lucky nut" seeds (Thevetia peruviana). Deadly poisonous, just like any other oleander.

I use to live in Texas by the border of Mexico and I am totally surprised that you got back into the USA with any kind of seed. They even cut open Avacados and remove the seed before you can cross back over. Be very very care eating these seeds. They dont always tell you the truth about their stuff in Mexico. They just want your money. Is your sister losing weight or poisoning herself?

i woudn't recommend eating these

They are called India nuts or Almendra quema graza

Jenny, I am sorry, but you are wrong. Those are Thevetia seeds. I grew them for years, so I know them when I see them. They are poisonous and should NEVER BE EATEN. I cannot stress this enough.

Please read this. I also read that young women take them for losing weight, but often end up very ill.

http://heart.bmj.com/content/83/3/301.full

Why did I think there was going to be a picture of a group of politicians at the top of this thread?

Oh Ricky, you always make me smile.