The caimito plant is one of the most flaunting trees of tropical America, with a tasteful and thirst-quenching fruit. It is not hard to understand why people expect to find medicinal properties in caimito because of its attractiveness and good taste. In fact, this fruit has such properties, although they have not been scientifically proven up to now. Popular wisdom speaks in these cases.
Healing Properties and Indications
The flesh of its fruits contains 15 g of sugars (carbohydrates) per 100 g of the edible part, 2 g of lipids (fats), and 1 g of proteins, as well as mineral salts and small amounts of vitamin A, vitamin B, and vitamin C. The fruit has astringent properties and is recommended for those tourists or travelers who suffer from diarrhea, a frequent disorder in tropical areas.
According to traditions, its leaves, when their underside is applied on sores, cause them to suppurate and then to cure; and when their upper side is used on wounds, stop bleeding.
The tree’s bark, leaves, and fruit also have febrifuge and balsamic properties (soothe respiratory mucous membrane), thus being used for bronchitis and colds.
Caimito Plant Scientific Facts
- Other names: Star-apple.
- French: Caimitier.
- Spanish: Caimito.
- Environment: Native to the West Indies, it also grows in tropical areas of Mexico and Central America.
- Description: Tree of the Sapotaceae family, growing up to 15 m high, frequently grown as ornamental because of its fine appearance. Its leaves have silky, glowing hairs, golden on their underside. The fruit is round, of 10 cm in diameter.
- Parts of the plant used medicinally: The fruit, the leaves, and the bark.
How to use Caimito
- Fruits: These can be consumed in moderation.
- Decoction of bark and leaves, with 30-50 g per liter of water. Drink from three to five hot cups daily.
REFERENCES
George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. Vols. 1 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 302. Print.[caimito plant]
