Kudampuli

Kudampuli is a moderate-sized, evergreen tree and the flowers are unisexual, sessile and axillary. The leaves are dark green, shining, elliptic to obviate. The fruit may resemble a small yellow or reddish pumpkin, or it may have a unique purple colour. The fruit of Garcinia cambogia has been traditionally used in food preparation and cooking, having a distinctive taste. Garcinia has garnered a lot of attention of late as a popular natural weight loss aid. The reason is that the rind of this pumpkin like fruit is rich in a substance called hydroxycitric acid / HCA. Aside from its use in food preparation and preservation, extracts of G. cambogia are sometimes used in traditional medicine as purgatives. Kudampuli is known for its medicinal values in Ayurveda. It helps to promote digestion, and a decoction (kashayam) made out of it is used against Arthritis and some uterine deceases. It is also known to cure ulcers. The root of Kudampuli can be used quire the swelling the whole body due to viper bite.