Have you heard about Bilimbi fruit? It is an edible tropical fruit scientifically known as Averhhoa Bilimbi. Other common names include cucumber tree, tree sorrel etc. These are widely seen in Indonesia, Philippines, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Srilanka and India. Bilimbi fruit is green in colour and mild sour in taste. It is juicy as well as crunchy in consistency. It is a rich source of antioxidants. Due to its high acidic content bilimbi fruit is having an astringent effect.
- Control Blood pressure: It is revealed that the decoction made with boiling bilimbi fruit with water, once taken in every morning is helpful in controlling BP.
- Control Diabetes Mellitus: Bilimbi fruit is known to reduce blood-sugar levels. First by making it in a juice form and drink it Second by preparing the decoction and use it twice a day.
- Reduce fever and flu: The high vitamin C in this fruit helps strengthen the immune system helping to fight against the fever.
- As a cough syrup: Bilimbi fruit extract is used to treat a cough. It can be added to a cough syrup thus helping to reduce a cough.
- Allergy management: Bilimbi fruit juice taken on a regular basis is known to reduce allergies.
- Treatment of haemorrhoids: Bilimbi fruit syrup can be used to treat haemorrhoids.
- Treatment of obesity: Bilimbi fruits are used in traditional medicines in the treatment of obesity in some communities.
Used for Beauty treatment: The presence of oxalic acid, vitamin A and vitamin C makes bilimbi an efficient source for skin health.
Apart from its medicinal uses, Bilimbi is also used for preparing tasty dishes like:
- Bilimbi toffee
- Bilimbi squash
- Bilimbi curry
- Bilimbi wine.
But why we should not consume Bilimbi fruit excessively? Because of the high oxalic acid content in the bilimbi fruit, the formation of oxalates can happen which may lead to tubular necrosis which in turn leads to acute kidney failure. So consumption of bilimbi in moderate levels is only recommended.