Fruit - raw or cooked. One of the most popular fruits in the world, it is commonly eaten raw, is juiced and can also be prepared in a variety of ways such as in chutneys, jams, pickles etc[200 , 301 ]. The dried, unripe fruit is ground into a powder and used as a flavouring in Indian cuisine[301 ]. They are an ingredient of the spice mixture chat masala[301 ]. A variable fruit, ranging in colour from green through orange and yellow to red, it can be anything from 50g to 1.5kg in weight[296 ]. The fruit is usually 8 - 12cm long, but can be up to 30cm[303 ]. The fruit contains about 15% sugars, 0.5% protein and significant amounts of vitamins A, B and C[200 ]. The seeds are used in the preparation of dodol, or pudding[301 ]. A starch and an edible fat can be obtained from them[301 ]. The kernels are important as a famine food in India, but the astringency has to be removed by boiling, roasting and soaking them for a long time[303 ]. Flowers[301 ]. Young leaves[301 ]. Cooked as a vegetable[303 ].

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.


The leaves are astringent and odontalgic[348 ]. An infusion is drunk to reduce blood pressure and as a treatment for conditions such as angina, asthma, coughs and diabetes[272 , 307 , 348 ]. Externally, the leaves are used in a convalescent bath[348 ]. A mouthwash made from the leaves is effective in hardening the gums and helping to treat dental problems[272 , 307 , 348 ]. The leaves are used to treat skin irritations[272 , 307 ]. The charred and pulverized leaves are used to make a plaster for removing warts and also act as a styptic[303 ]. The seed is astringent, antidiarrhoeal; anthelmintic when roasted[348 ]. It is used to treat stubborn colds and coughs, obstinate diarrhoea and bleeding piles[303 ]. The pulverised seed is made into a sweetened tea and drunk, or taken as powders, for treating dysentery[348 ]. The seeds are ground up and used to treat scorpion stings[307 ]. The bark is astringent, homeostatic and antirheumatic[303 ]. Used in the treatment of haemorrhage, diarrhoea and throat problems[307 , 348 ]. When incised, the bark yields an oleoresin which is stimulant, sudorific and antisyphilitic[348 ]. The stem is astringent. It is used to treat diarrhoea and to remedy stomach-ache[348 ]. The roots are diuretic[272 ]. The flowers are aphrodisiac[307 ]. The fruit is antiscorbutic and antidysenteric[348 ].

Backyard tree. Large shade tree. Street tree. Large flowering tree, Public open space. Specimen. Other Uses The bark and the leaves are the source of a yellowish-brown dye used for silk[303 , 307 ]. The flowers are used to repel mosquitoes[307 ]. The slender branches are used as toothbrushes to treat toothache[272 ]. Heartwood is pale yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, darkening on exposure, not clearly demarcated from the pale yellowish-brown sapwood. Grain somewhat wavy, texture moderately coarse; freshly cut wood is scentless. The wood is used for many purposes, including indoor construction, meat-chopping blocks, furniture, carpentry, flooring, boxes, crates and boat building (canoes and dugouts)[303 ]. The wood is a source of 'machang' timber[895 ]. We do not have a specific description for the wood of this speices, but a general description of machang timber is as follows:- The heartwood is light brown or light grey brown, occasionally with chocolate or black streaky coreword; it is not clearly differentiated from the wide band of sapwood. The texture is moderately coarse to coarse and even; the grain interlocked and wavy. The wood is moderately heavy to heavy; moderately hard; not durable under exposed conditions, being susceptible to fungi, dry wood borers and termites. The wood seasons somewhat rapidly with only a slight risk of checking or distortion; once dry it is moderately stable in service. It can be worked with ordinary tools, there is a slight difficulty resawing when green, but is easy when dry; planing is easy but the surface produced is moderately smooth with grain pick-up on the radial side; nailing and screwing is excellent; gluing is correct. The wood is suitable for light construction, turnery, flooring, interior panelling, boxes, crates, pallets and plywood manufacture[895 ]. Corewood can be used for decorative veneer production[848 , 895 ]. With a calorific value of 4200 kcal/kg, the wood makes excellent charcoal and firewood[303 ].

Special Uses