Description

A spiny tree growing to 30 ft (9 m), it has feathery leaves, red flowers, and round whitish fruit the size of oranges.

Habitat & Cultivation

Native to southern India, wood apple is cultivated in tropical Asia.

Parts Used

Fruit, leaves.

Constituents

The fruit contains fruit acids, vitamins, and minerals. The leaves contain tannins and a volatile oil.

Medicinal Actions & Uses

Wood apple fruit is used mainly to stimulate the digestive system. In India, the fruit forms part of a paste applied to tone the breasts. The astringent leaves are used to treat indigestion, flatulence, diarrhea, dysentery (particularly in children), and hemorrhoids. It is traditionally thought to act as a male contraceptive, although there is limited research to support this.