Garcinia atroviridis also known as asam gelugor is common in the Malay Peninsula. Its fruit are cultivated throughout Southeast Asia, for spices. The tree grows to a height of 15 meter.
The leaves are decussate and glossy, long (25 x 6.5 cm) and show about 18 pairs of secondary nerves. The flowers are dark red and the fruit are pumpkin like berries that are edible and sour.
A decoction of leaves and roots is used to mitigate earaches; the sap of the leaves is used as postpartum remedy.
The fruit is sliced, dried and then stewed and used in curries and soups. Also possess medicinal properties. The fruit of G. atroviridis has been reported to be effective in weight management on a short-term basis as the fruits contain fruiting acids such as hydroxycitric acid that promotes fat burning and spares carbohydrate utilization at rest or during exercise, help to promote weight loss by lowering lipogeneis and increasing glycogen development, thus increasing appetite.
Diet rich in antioxidants provides protection against lipid peroxidation and free radical generation and also inhibits the development of atherosclerosis. The dried fruits are also used as fixatives for dyes.
Garcinia atroviridis (asam gelugor)
