Crescentia alata - Kunth

Edible Parts: Fruit  Oil  Seed
Edible Uses: Oil

A refreshing drink is prepared using the ground seeds, mixed with other ingredients[46 , 317 , 411 ]. The seeds are mixed with raw rice, roasted pumpkin seeds, lemon peel, sugar, water and ice, and made into a non-alcoholic drink called 'horchata'[301 ]. A bland, relatively stable oil is obtained from the seeds[301 ]. The fruits are sometimes eaten or made into a drink[301 ].

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Dysentery

The fruit is pectoral[310 ]. The pulp is used particularly in the treatment of colds, and for diseases of the kidneys[310 , 331 ]. A decoction of the leaves is employed as an astringent and antihemorrhagic[345 ]. It is much used in the treatment of haemoptysis and dysentery[345 ].

Oil

The fruit have woody shells which can be used to make cups, containers etc[46 , 331 ]. The shells are smaller and not as good suitable for the production of bowls as the shells obtained from C. Cujete[317 ]. The shells have a very important use in Guatemala for making drinking cups and various other kinds of containers. A fruit cut in half makes two small cups, one of which is carried by almost every Indian pedestrian, often attached to his waist, as a drinking cup[331 ]. There is said to be in Guatemala a form of this tree that bears exceptionally small fruits, little larger than a hen's egg - these small fruits are often used to fashion spinning tops for children[331 ]. A decoction of the leaves is said to promote the growth of hair[411 ]. The wood is used locally for making wagons and other articles[46 , 411 ].

Special Uses

Carbon Farming