https://www.gardenology.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Garcinia_indicaGarcinia indica - Revision history2026-04-10T10:37:13ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.0https://www.gardenology.org/w/index.php?title=Garcinia_indica&diff=10143&oldid=prevMediaWiki default at 07:40, 16 October 20072007-10-16T07:40:06Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Taxobox<br />
| color = lightgreen<br />
| name = ''Garcinia indica''<br />
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae<br />
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]<br />
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]<br />
| ordo = [[Malpighiales]]<br />
| familia = [[Clusiaceae]]<br />
| subfamilia = [[Clusioideae]]<br />
| tribus = [[Garcinieae]]<br />
| genus = ''[[Garcinia]]''<br />
| species = '''''G. indica'''''<br />
| species_authority = [[Jacques Denys Choisy|Choisy]]<br />
| binomial = ''Garcinia indica''<br />
}}<br />
'''''Garcinia indica''''' is a [[fruit tree]], of [[culinary]], [[pharmaceutical]], and [[industry|industrial]] uses. The tree is also ornamental, with a dense [[canopy (forest)|canopy]] of green leaves and red-tinged tender emerging leaves. It is indigenous to the [[Western Ghats]] region of [[India]], along the western coast. It is found in forest lands, riversides, and wasteland, and also gets cultivated on a small scale. It does not require irrigation, spraying or fertilizers.<br />
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These plants prefer [[evergreen forest]]s, but some also thrive in relatively low-rainfall areas. ''Garcinia indica'' is known by various names across [[India]] -- including Bindin, Biran, Bhirand, Bhinda, Kokum, Katambi, Panarpuli, Ratamba or Amsol. In the English language, it is known by various names, such as mangosteen, wild mangosteen, or red mango.<br />
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The genus Garcinia belonging to the family Clusiaceae includes some 200 species found in the Old World tropics, specially [[Asia]] and [[Africa]]. Out of the 35 species found in India, 17 are endemic. Of these, seven are endemic to the [[Western Ghats]] region (lying along western coastal India), six in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and four in the North-Eastern region of India.<br />
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==Uses==<br />
Called "kokum" or "bin'na" in parts of western India, the ''Garcinia indica'' seed contains 23-26% [[oil]], which remains solid at room temperature and is used in the preparations of [[chocolate]]s, [[medicine]]s and [[cosmetics]]. It is used as a slightly bitter spice in recipes from [[Maharashtra]] and as a souring agent and substitute for [[tamarind]] in curries and other dishes from [[Coorg]]. It is also used in Konkani cuisine, in Gujarat, and some cuisines of South India.<br />
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Recently, industries have started extracting [[hydroxycitric acid]] (HCA) from the rind of the fruit.{{Fact|date=September 2007}}<br />
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India's first national seminar on 'Kokum' or ''Garcinia indica'' was held [[March 4]]-[[March 5|5]], [[2005]] at the [[Goa University]], [[Goa]]. Those researching on the crop see it as having a bright future: it is rainfed, doesn't have any pest or diseases apart from the monkey menace, and is almost a "zero-attention" crop.<br />
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One paper presented at the Goa seminar (March 2005) suggests that the ''Garcinia indica'' has medicinal uses both as a digestive tonic, and to cope with paralysis. In the first case, about half to one glass of curry is prepared from the fruits, with a little salt and sugar, to be taken after meals. For paralysis, the clean-chopped stem bark is finely powdered and is added to boiling water. After 2-3 minutes, a lightly cooled decoction is used for washing the affected parts, two to three times a day.<br />
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==External links==<br />
*[http://www.floracafe.com/Resultinfo.asp?resultvalue=Garcinia+indica+Choisy&resultid=1070 Plant database]<br />
*[http://www.uppercrustindia.com/6crust/six/rec2a.htm Article about culinary use of ''kokum'']<br />
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[[Category:Clusiaceae]]<br />
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]<br />
[[Category:Fruit]]<br />
[[Category:Trees]]</div>MediaWiki default