Edible Parts: Fruit  Leaves  Oil  Oil  Seed
Edible Uses: Oil  Oil  Pectin

Fruit - raw. A very refreshing fruit[1, 2, 22, 46, 183], it has a delicate sweetness with an extremely high water content, the fruit is often used as a refreshing drink[183]. The unripe fruits are added to soups[183]. A syrup can also be made from the juice[183]. The fruit is a rich source of pectin[218, 240], and can be added to pectin-low fruits when making jam[K]. Pectin is said to protect the body against radiation[201]. The fruit varies considerably in size from cultivar to cultivar, but can be up to 1 metre long and 40cm wide[200]. A nutritional analysis is available[218]. Leaves - cooked. Seed - raw or cooked[63, 86, 117, 183]. They can be roasted or ground into a powder and used with cereal flours when making bread, cakes etc, or added to soups and stews[163, 105, 83]. The seed contains about 30% protein, 20 - 40% oil[61]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[63, 105, 183, 266].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Cardiac  Demulcent  Diuretic  Enuresis  Febrifuge  Pectoral  Purgative  Tonic  
Urinary  Vermifuge

The seed is demulcent, diuretic, pectoral and tonic[4, 218]. It is sometimes used in the treatment of the urinary passages[4] and has been used to treat bed wetting[257]. The seed is also a good vermifuge[4] and has a hypotensive action[7]. A fatty oil in the seed, as well as aqueous or alcoholic extracts, paralyze tapeworms and roundworms[240]. The fruit, eaten when fully ripe or even when almost putrid, is used as a febrifuge[4] The fruit is also diuretic, being effective in the treatment of dropsy and renal stones[7]. The fruit contains the substance lycopine (which is also found in the skins of tomatoes). This substance has been shown to protect the body from heart attacks and, in the case of the tomato at least, is more effective when it is cooked[246]. The rind of the fruit is prescribed in cases of alcoholic poisoning and diabetes[218]. The root is purgative and in large dose is said to be a certain emetic[4].

Oil  Oil  Pectin

The seed contains 20 - 40% oil. As well as being edible, it is also used for making soap and for lighting[117]. Face masks made from the fruit are used as a cosmetic on delicate skins[7].

Special Uses