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Family Bixaceae

Achuete
Bixa orellana Linn.
LIPSTICK PLANT


Gen Info
Next to caramel, annatto is the world's most important natural colorant yielding yellow to red colors. There is global commercial
production of the seed, estimated in 1990 at 10,000 tons per year; Brazil being the largest exported.

Botany
Atsuete is a tree reaching 4 to 6 meters. Leaves are entire, alternate with long petioles, ovate, 8 to 20 centimeters long, 5 to 12
centimeters wide, with a broad and heart-shaped base, and a pointed tip. The flowers are white or pinkish, 4 to 6 centimeters
diameter, 4 to 6 centimeters in diameter on terminal panicles. Fruits are spiny capsules, ovoid or rounded, reddish brown, about
4 centimeters long, and covered with long, slender and soft spines. Fruit dry and split open in two parts exposing many small
red seeds covered with a dye-yielding red pulp.
Distribution
- Planted in and about towns throughout the Philippines.
- Native of tropical America.
- Pantropic.
- Widely cultivated and naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the rest of the world.

Constituents
- Phytochemical screening yielded carbohydrates, steroids, alkaloids, proteins, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolics, tannins and
glycosides.
- Bixa orellana seeds are the only natural source of bixin, a carotenoid widely used in food industry as colourant.
- Seed contains a fatty oil with palmitin, a little stearin, and phytosterol.
- Study of carotenoid pigments in the seeds identified bixin, norbixin, -carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin and methyl
bixin.
Properties
- Root-bark is antiperiodic and antipyretic.
- Aphrodisiac and detoxifier.
- Leaves are diuretic, antipyretic, purgative.
- Seeds are slightly astringent.
- Fine powder covering the seed is hemostatic and stomachic.
- The pulp (annatto) surrounding the seeds is astringent and slightly purgative.
Parts utilized
Leaves, bark and seeds.

Uses
Culinary
Seeds used locally for coloring food.
Coloring matter used for commercially coloring butter.
Folkloric
For small burns: Wash the leaves with soap and water. Boil 10 leaves in 5 glasses of water; cool. Soak the burn area for 10
minutes, once a day.
The pulp of the seeds, immediately applied to, prevents blistering and scarring. Pulp also used to treat bleeding, dysentery,
gonorrhea, constipation and fever.
The seeds, ground and boiled, also used for burns. Mixed with coconut, is applied to the throat.
Decoction of bark used for febrile catarrh.
Fresh seeds when moistened produce a reddish colored juice that is applied to red rashes.
The seeds are used as antidote for cassava and J. urcas poisoning.
Fine powder that covers the seeds is used as hemostatic, and internally as stomachic.
In French Guiana, infusion of leaves used as purgative in dysentery.
Leaves used as febrifuge in Cambodia.
Decoction of leaves used as gargle for sore throat.
Seed oil used for leprosy.
The achuete dye used with lime for the treatment of erysipelas.
Also used for wound healing, regulation of heavy menses, and thinning hair.
The leaf, bruised with the head of a "walis-tingting" (broom made from frond ribs of the coconut leaves), mixed with warm
coconut oil is applied on the forehead for headaches.
An infusion of the leaves used as purgative.
Poultice of leaves are diuretic and used for treatment of gonorrhea
Mucilage produced from infusion of fresh branches used a emollient in the Antilles..
Leaves for snake bites.
Extract of leaves, barks and roots used as antidote for poisoning from Manihot esculenta, J. curcas, and Hura crepitans.
Decoction of leaves for nausea and vomiting.
In traditional Peruvian medicine, used to treat heartburn and stomach distress caused by spicy foods; also, as a vaginal
antiseptic and cicatrizant.
In Uruguay seeds are ground and boiled and used on burns.
In West Indian folk medicine, used for diabetes mellitus.
In Guatemala used for treatment of gonorrhea.
Female aphrodisiac in the Amazonia.
Others
Dye: The main product from B. orellana is an organic dye present in the seed coat called "annatto," lipid-soluble and widely
used in the food industry for its red to orange-yellow colours (cheese, butter, oils, margarine, ice-cream, pastries). Next to
caramel, it is the world's second most important food colorant. Besides providing an attractive color to meat and other dishes, it
also imparts a subtle and distinctive flavour. In the cosmetic industry it finds use in hair, nail and soap products, and also in the
many of the household products floor wax, shoe polish, russet leather, wood stains.
Wood: Lightweight, not durable. The fibrous bark used to make ropes and twine.
Studies
Antimicrobial / Antifungal
Antimicrobial / Antifungal
Antibacterial / Antioxidant / Antidiarrheal / Neuropharmacolic / Anticonvulsant/ Gastrointestinal Motility Effect.
Hypoglycemic / Antidiabetic
Hypoglycemic
Hypoglycemic / Peripheral Utilization of Glucose:
Milk-based pigment:
Anti-Gonorrheal
Antibacterial / Anti-Staphylococcal Activity
Aldose Reductase Inhibition
No Effect on BPH Symptoms
Bioactive Sesquiterpene
Radioprotective
Microwave Facilitated Bixin Extraction / Antioxidant Activity:
Hypolipidemic Effect
Diuretic Effect / Leaf
Cardioprotective Effect / Leaf
Anti-Leishmaniasis .

Anti-Inflammatory / Bradykinin Inhibition
Anti-Leishmania:
Mosquito Repellent / Antioxidant
Availability
Wild-crafted.
Small scale local cultivation for condiment and food colorant.
Worldwide production of annatto seeds for commercial and home use.
































Family Rutaceae
Dayap
Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle
LIME


Botany
Dayap is a small tree or shrub, 2 to 4 meters high, smooth throughout, branching with slender, solitary, sharp spines 1 centimeter
or less. Leaves are oblong-ovate to elliptic-ovate, 4 to 6 centimeters long. Petioles are 1 to 1.5 centimeters long, and narrowly
winged. Racemes are short and axillary, bearing few flowers which are white and fragrant. Petals are 4, oblong, 10 to 12
millimeters long. The fruit is almost spherical, 3 to 5 centimeters in diameter, yellow, thin-skinned, 10-celled or more.
Distribution
- Planted throughout the Philippines in settled areas.
- Native of the Indo-Malayan region.
- Now pantropic.
Constituents
- Lime juice in the West Indies contains 7.0 to 7.55 citric acid with small amounts of malic acid and tartaric acids, sugar up to 2.5%,
pectin, and small amounts of salts.
- Pulp yields 4.24% sugar; 0.66% ash, and the juice yields citric acid, 7.67%; vitamin C.
- Methanol extract yielded alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins saponins, steroids, cardiac glycosides, and reducing sugars.

Properties
- Juice is regarded as antiseptic, tonic, antiscorbutic, astringent, diuretic.
- Root bark is febrifuge.
Parts utilized
Fruit, roots, bark, rind.

Uses
Edibility / Nutritional
- Makes a pleasant ade.
- Used as substitute for true lemon.
- Good source of vitamin C.
- In Malaya, the young dayap is preserved in syrup.
- Malays salt the fruit or preserve it in vinegar for use as pickle.
Folkloric
- Nausea and fainting: Squeeze rind near nostril for irritant inhalation.
- Decoction of roots used for dysentery; root-bark as febrifuge.
- Crushed leaves applied to forehead for headaches.
- Leaf decoction for eyewash and to bathe a feverish patient.
- Mouthwash and gargle for sore throat and thrush.
- Decoction of pounded leaves, with leaves of Areca catechu, drunk for stomachache.
- Externally, fresh juice is used to clean wounds; roasted, for chronic sores.
- Juice used for irritation and swelling of mosquito bites.
- Poultice of leaves applied to ulcer wounds.
- Lime oil extracted by steam distillation of the fruit rinds used for colds, sore throats, bronchitis, asthma.
- Used for arthritis, obesity, cellulite and as tonic and astringent.
- Malays sip the fruit juice as a remedy for coughs.
- In Senegal and Sierra Leone, juice, sometimes mitigated by being mixed with oil, used as vermifuge.
- Poultice of leaves for skin diseases or on the abdomen after childbirth.
- In Malaya, root decoction used for dysentery.
- In Yucatan, root decoction used for gonorrhea.
- In southwest Nigeria, roots, bark, stem, twigs, leaves and fruit used in treatment of malaria.
- In Pakistan, Northern Ethiopia, and Nigeria, plant and fruit used in the treatment of hypertension and other cardiac problems.
Others
- As fumigant, steaming brew of leaves under the blanket.
Studies
Essential oils / Antifungal
Antiproliferative / Anti-cancer
Antimicrobial
Antimicrobial
Antiaflatoxigenic
Antiproliferative / Colon Cancer Prevention
Nephrolithiasis
Fertility Effects
Toxicity Studies
Weight Reduction / Decreased Food Intake / Limonene
Antioxidant
Antimicrobial.
Antioxidant / Cholinesterase Inhibitory Activity
Hypocholesterolemic: Cardiovascular Effects / Fruits
Availability
Commercial cultivation.
Extracts, essential oils and supplements in the cybermarket.


















Family Lauraceae
Abukado
Persea americana Mill.
AVOCADO



Botany
Abukado is a medium-sized tree reaching a height of up to 10 to 15 meters. Leaves are alternate, leathery,
oblong to oval or obovate, about 20 centimeters long. Flowers are small, yellow, borne in naked, panicled hairy
cymes. Stamens are 12, in groups of 3 in 4 whorls. Fruit is large, fleshy, elongated, of various sizes and shapes,
often resembling a pear, 8 to 18 centimeters long, some weighing as much as two kilos, soft and edible, with a
nutty flavor, color varying from yellow-green to purple.

Distribution
- Introduced from tropical America before the end of the sixteenth century.
- Now extensively cultivated in the Philippines for its edible fruit.
- Usually grown from seeds, but may be propagated by budding, grafting, and marketing.
Constituents
- Fruit: fixed oil, 6-10%; protein 1.3-6%.
- Leaves contain a volatile oil,, 0.5%, with methyl-chavicol, d-d-pinene and paraffin.
- Leaves yielde3d isorhamnetin, luteolin, rutin, quercetin and apigenin.
- Seed is rich in saponins, tannins, flavonoids and alkaloids.
Properties
- Digestive, emmenagogue, antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, pectoral, stomachic, anthelmintic, antiperiodic,
antidiarrheal.
- Pulp considered to have aphrodisiac and emmenagogue properties.
Parts used
Bark, fruit, leaves and seeds.
Uses
Edibility / Nutritional
Fruit eaten with a dressing as a salad.
Makes an excellent ice cream and dessert.
A good source of vitamins A, some B, C and E, potassium (higher than bananas) and fiber ; fair source of iron;
low in calcium. A fruit with high-energy producing value, each edible pound allegedly provides an average of
1,000 calories.
Fat content averages about 20 percent and increases with maturity of the fruit. The digestibility of the fat is
comparable to that of butter fat.
The caloric or energy-producing value of avocado is high. One pound of edible portion represents an average of
1,000 calories. The maximum yield is about twice that of lean meat.
High in fat, about 25-35 gms on average. however, about 65% of it is health-promoting monosaturated fat,
particularly oleic acid.
Mineral content is considered greater than in any other fresh fruit. Salts of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and
calcium compose more than one-half of the ash. It yields an excess of base-forming elements, compared to nuts
which furnish an excess of acid-forming elements.
Protein content, which averages 2%, is higher than any other fresh fruit.
Leaves used as a substitute for tea.
Folkloric
The pulp is thought to promote menstruation.
The pulp is used to hasten the suppuration of wounds.
The pulp is considered aphrodisiac and emmenagogue.
Ointment from pulverized seeds sometimes employed as rubefacient.
Decoction of pulverized seeds used as gargles for toothaches; also, a piece of the seed placed in the cavity of
the tooth to relieve toothaches.
The leaves and bark promote menstruation; the tea has been used to expel worms.
Used for diarrhea and dysentery.
Rheumatism and neuralgia: Pulverize seeds or bark, mix with oil and apply on affected area as
counterirritant.
Beverage: Take decoction of leaves as tea.
Pulp is applied to shallow cuts, prevents infection.
Flesh of ripe fruit is soothing to sunburned skin.
In different parts of the world, has been recommended for anemia, exhaustion, high cholesterol, hypertension,
gastritis and duodenal ulcers. The leaves have been reported effective as antitussive, antidiabetic, antiarthritic
and antiinflammatory.
In Mexico, rind of the fruit used as anthelmintic. In the form of a liniment, used in intercostal neuralgia. Seeds,
crude or toasted, are used to treat skin rashes, diarrhea, asthma, hypertension, rheumatism, and dysentery
caused by helminths and ameobas,
In many African countries used in traditional medicine for gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcers, hypercholesterolemia,
hypertension, anemia.
In Nigeria, seed extracts used for hypertension.

Others
Ink: Juice from seeds yields a milky juice which turns red on exposure; used to make permanent ink for fabric
lettering.
Toxicity
Lactating livestock eating avocado leaves may develop non-infectious mastitis and agalactia.
Studies
Anticonvulsant
Hypoglycemic
Hypoglycemic / Hypolipidemic
Antiobesity / Hypolipidemic
Hypotensive
Toxicity / Persin
Cytotoxic/ Antitumor / Pesticidal
Toxicity / Larvicidal / Antifungal
Vasorelaxant
Antimicrobial / Antimycobacterial
Persealide / Cytotoxicity
Anti-Viral
Acute and Subacute Toxicity Studies
Hypoglycemic / Pancreatic Protective .
Immunomodulating / Anti-Adhesion Property
Hypolipemic Effects
Antioxidant / Leaves Phytoconstituents
Wound Healing
Chemo-Protective
Antibacterial / Antimycobacterial
Liver-Kidney Effects
Wound Healing Benefits / Oil
Anti-Hyperlipidemic Activity / Leaf Extract
Anti-Ulcer / Leaves
Antiprotozoal / Antimycobacteria / Seeds
Hypotensive / Seeds
Cardiotoxicity of Acetogenins.
Availability
Seasonal fruiting and ubiquitous market produce.










































Family Cannabaceae
Marihuana
Cannabis sativa L.
MARIJUANA




Botany
Cannabis sativa is an annual, dioecious, flowering herb. Leaves are palmately compound or digitate, with serrate leaflets. First
pair of leaves usually have a single leaflet, gradually increasing to a maximum of 13 leaflets per leaf, usuall y 7 or 9; and at the
top of the flowering plant, again diminishing to a single leaflet per leaf. Lower pairs are usually opposite, the upper pairs
alternate. Flowers are imperfect, with staminate (male) and pistillate (female) flowers sometimes in the same plant. Seeds are
usually achenes.
Taxonomy
- Various types of Cannabis have been described: (1) plants cultivated for fiber and seed production, low-intoxicant, non-drug,
or fiber types. (2) plants cultivated for drug production, high intoxicant, or drug types. (3) escape or wild forms of both types.
- Breeders and cultivators of drug-type Cannabis categorize cultivars into "pure indica," "mostly indica," "indica/sativa," "mostly
sativa", or "pure sativa."
Legality info
- Cannabis is illegal to consume, cultivate, or trade in most countries. While still illegal in most countries, some countries have
decriminalized possession and/or its cultivation in limited quantities for personal or medical use. In the United States, 16 states
and DC have legalized the use of medical marijuana: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, DC, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine,
Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
Distribution
- Certainly introduced.
- Clandestine cultivation in the highlands, especially the Mountain Province.
- Limited personal-use garden cultivation.
- Native of Asia.
- Commercial cultivation in many countries.
Constituents
- Terpeno-phenolic compounds called cannabinoids, are secreted by glandular trichomes abundant on the floral calyces and
bracts of the female parts. They are responsible for the marijuana "high" one experiences from smoking marijuana.
- Cannabinoids, found only in Cannabis sativa, are secondary metabolites featuring alkylresorcinol and monoterpene moieties
in their molecules. More than 60 cannabinoids have been isolated from marijuana or fresh Cannabis leaves.
- The two cannabinoids usually produced in greatest abundance are cannabidiol (CBD) and/or D9-tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC), but only THC is psychoactive. Phenotypes or chemotypes are based on the amount of THC and the ratio of THC to
CBD, a ratio that is genetically determined and fixed throughout the life of the plant.
- Non-drugs plants are low in THC and high in CBD, while drug plants are high in THC.
- The drug is derived as dried flower buds (marijuana), resin (hashish), or extracts collectively called hashish oil.
Properties
- Cannabis is a popular recreational drug in the world, only behind
alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco. In the U.S. it is probably second
only to alcohol.
- The psychoactive effects are biphasic: a primary psychoactive
effect that includes relaxation and euphoria from its main psychoactive substance, THC. Secondary psychoactive effects
include introspection and metacognition. Tertiary effects like increased heart rate and hunger is attributed to 11-hydroxy-THC,
a psychoactive metabolite of THC produced in the liver.
- Cannabis sativa cause a "high" commonly associated with hunger (munchies) and energetic feeling while C. indica produces
a more "stoned" and meditative feeling, attributed to a higher CBD to THC ratio.
- Reported to have a lower rate of dependence than both nicotine and alcohol, and withdrawal symptoms are typically mild and
never life-threatening.
- Considered sedative, stomachic, anodyne, hypnotic, antispasmodic.
- Growing conditions affect potency. Different parts of the plant, like leaves or flower tops, would have different amounts of
active chemicals, and therefore, different intoxicant potency. Its variability makes marijuana a crude drug.
- THC is highly hydrophobic. Once absorbed, it binds to lipoproteins and albumin in the plasma and is retained in adipose
tissue, its long-term storage site, slowly released back to the blood and other body tissues, with a half-life of 1 to 3 days.

Cannabinoid Psychoactive Effects
- Psychoactive effects of cannabinoids in humans is a mixture of depressing and stimulatory effects in the CNS, designated
into 4 groups:
(1) affective - euphoria and easy laughter
(2) sensory - alteration in temporal and spatial perception and disorientation
(3) somatic - drowsiness, dizziness, and motor discoordination, and
(4) cognitive - confusion, memory lapses and difficulties in concentration.

- Due to the ubiquity of cannabinoid receptors, cannabinoids effects are observed not only in the brain but in almost all
peripheral systems, i.e., cardiovascular (fast heart beats), respiratory system (bronchodilation), musculoskeletal (muscle
relaxation) and gastrointestinal (decreased motility) systems.
- Cannabinoid effects are variable, sometimes unpredictably strong, with smoked cannabis. In the controlled doses and
formulation of dronabinol (Marinol) and nabilone (Cesamet) as antiemetics in patients with cancer, the effect are usually
innocuous. Tolerance develops rapidly, psychoactive effects decreasing from 33% to 25% of minor psychoactivity after two





weeks, and 4% after 6 weeks of treatment.
- It's addictive potential continues to be debated. Abrupt cessation of chronic cannabis smoking may occasionally cause a
"withdrawal" syndrome, with irritability, insomnia and 'hot flushes." However, this is rare, mild, and usually gone in a few days.
Surveys of long-term of use of dronabinol in prescription doses have not shown signs of dependence.
- THC's low addictive potential may be attributed to its pharmacokinetic property - storage of cannabinoids in adipose tissue
and low rate of excretion. Cessation of THC use is not accompanied by a rapid decrease in plasma concentration. ()
Caution
- Already powerful and mind-altering, marijuana is mixed and smoked with other substances, like angel dust (PCP,
phencyclidine hydrochloride) or cocaine.
- Marijuana today is much more potent than the 70s. Average THC levels have risen from less than one percent to more than
6% in 2002. Sinsemilla potency has increased in the past two decades from 6% to 13%, with some samples boasting THC
levels up to 33%.
- Although the popular myth holds to marijuana's non-addictiveness, current research supports that marijuana is both
physically addictive and psychologically addictive.

Parts used
Leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers.

Uses
Edibility / Culinary
- Aficionados and potheads have included marijuana leaves and seeds in a variety of kitchen concoctions: butter, brownies,
cookies, salads, and tea, even a vodka drink containing cannabis seeds.
Folkloric
- Cannabis has be used medicinally worldwide for thousands of years.
- Described in ancient Chinese writings, together with ginseng and ephedra, as mainstays of herbal medicine where it was
recommended for more than 100 ailments, including gout, rheumatism, malaria, and absentmindedness. Later Chinese texts
describe its use for treating vomiting, parasitic infections and hemorrhage. Today, it is still a folk remedy for diarrhea,
dysentery and as appetite stimulant.
- In Ayurvedic medicine, used to promote sleep, appetite, digestion, pain relief; also described as aphrodisiac and intoxicant.
- In Africa, used for a variety of ailments, including snakebites, labor pains, malaria, and dysentery.
Others
- Rituals / Religion / Ancient Cultures:
(1) Earliest known descriptions of marijuana appear in ancient writings and folklore of India and China, where it was believed
to be used as a ritual intoxicant.
(2) As early as 2700 BC, carbon-dated reports of cannabis shoots, fruits, and leaves unearthed from Yanghai tombs suggest
cannabis was used for ritual/medicinal purposes.
(3) Cannabis use is a ritual part of the Hindu festival of Holi.
(4) In ancient Germanic culture, Cannabis was associated with the Norse love goddess, Freya.
(5) The Rastafari movement embraces the Cannabis as a sacrament.


Studies
100 Peer-Reviewed Studies on Marijuana:
Medical Marijuana:
Synthetic Cannabinoid / Dronabinol
Glaucoma:
Analgesic
.
Analgesic and Neuro Effects
Movement Disorders / Multiple Sclerosis
Antibacterial Cannabinoids:
Short-Term Memory Effect
Lung Damage
.
Cannabidiol / Antipsychotic
Cannabidiol / Antioxidative / Anti-Inflammatory
Degeneration of Alpha Motoneurons / Sciatic Nerve Compression
Myocardial Infarction Risk in Aging Users
Anti-Tumor / Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer:
Cognitive Impairment
No Cognitive Impairment
Cannabis Use and Rising Cardiovascular Events:
Adverse Outcomes in Long-Term Teen Marihuana Use:
Availability
Wild-crafted.
Prescription capsules: dronabinol (Marinol) and nabilone (Cesamet).
Prescription extract, Sativex sublingual spray.
Seeds in the cybermarket.
Family Oxalidaceae
Kamias
Averrhoa bilimbi L.
BILIMBI TREE




Botany
Kamias is a small tree, growing 5 to 12 meters high. Leaves are pinnate, 20 to 60 centimeters long, with hairy rachis
and leaflets. Leaflets are opposite, 10 to 17 pairs, oblong, 5 to 10 centimeters in length. Panicles growing from the
trunk and larger branches are hairy, 15 centimeters long or less. Flowers are about 1.5 centimeters long, and slightly
fragrant. Fruit is green and edible, about 4 centimeters long, subcylindric, or with 5 obscure, broad, rounded,
longitudinal lobes.

Distribution
- Cultivated and semi-cultivated throughout the Philippines.
- Introduced from tropical America.
- Now pantropic.
Parts utilized
Leaves, fruit, juice.
Constituents
Study on volatile components of fruits showed 6 mg/kg of total volatile compounds; 62 compounds were identified,
nonanal and (Z)-3-hexenol were dominant.
Fruit contains potassium oxalate.
Chemical constituents include amino acids, citric acid, cyanidin-3-O-b-D-glucoside, phenolics, potassium ion,
sugars, and vitamin A. Fruit extracts yield flavonoids, saponins, and triterpenoid. Bark yields alkaloids, saponins, and
flavonoids.
100 gms of edible portion yields: Thiamine, 0.010 mg; ascorbic acid, 15.6 mg; moisture, 94.2-94.7 g; protein, 0.61
g; fiber, 0.6 g; ash, 0.31-0,4 g; calcium, 3.4 g; phosphorus, 11.1mg; iron, 1.01mg, carotene, 0.035mg; riboflavin,
0.030 mg, niacin, 0.030mg.
The oxalic acid in bilimbi ranged between 10.5 and 14.7 mg/g in green fruit and 8.45 to 10.8 mg/g in ripe fruit, levels
comparable to those reported from tea leaves. (see study below)
Properties
Considered antibacterial, astringent, antiscorbutic, febrifuge, antidiabetic, stomachic, refrigerant.
Fruit considered astringent, refrigerant, and stomachic.
Studies haves shown antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, antioxidant, antifertility, and antibacterial activities.

Uses
Nutrition
- Eaten raw.
- Prepared as a relish and food flavoring.
- Made into sweets and jams; used in making pickles.
Folkloric
Skin diseases, especially with pruritus: Reduce the leaves to a paste and apply tolerably warm to areas of affected
skin.
Fruit juice used as eye drops.
Post-partum and rectal inflammation: Infusion of leaves.
Mumps, acne, and localized rheumatic complaints: Paste of leaves applied to affected areas.
Warm paste of leaves also used for pruritus.
Used for boils, piles, rheumatism, cough, hypertension, whooping cough, mumps and pimples.
Cough and thrush: Infusion of flowers, 40 grams to a pint of boiling water, 4 glasses of tea daily.
For fevers, fruit made into syrup used as a cooling drink.
The fruit has been used for a variety of maladies: beriberi, cough, prevention of scurvy.
Infusion of leaves also drank as a protective tonic after childbirth.
In Malaysia, leaves are used for venereal diseases.
In Java, a conserve of fruit used for beriberi, biliousness, coughs.
In Indonesia, leaves used for boils, diabetes, mumps, fever.
In French Guyana, fruit decoction or syrup use for hepatitis, diarrhea, fever and other inflammatory conditions.
Others
Stain remover: Because of high oxalic acid content, fruit used to remove stains from clothing and for washing
hands, removing rust and stains from metal blades.
Studies
Hypoglycemic / Hypotriglyceridemic / Anti-Atherogenic / Anti-Lipid Peroxidative
Antioxidant / Antimicrobial Activities
Phytochemicals / Antimicrobial
Anti-Diabetic
Antibacterial
Anti-Hyperlipidemic
Hepatoprotective / Antioxidant:
Antifertility
.
Antidiabetic Properties
Cytotoxic Activity / Fruits
Anticoagulant Activity
Natural Source of Ethylene for Ripening Bananas
Acute Oxalate Nephropathy Attributed to A. bilimbi Fruit Juice
Oxalic Acid Content
Radical Scavenging / Phenolic Content
Availability
Wildcrafted.
Seasonal fruiting.

HERBAL
PLANTS

PRISCILLA A. CORDOVA
PHARMACY SERVICES NCII

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