Common Name: Goa Butter

General Information

Garcinia indica is a slender evergreen tree with drooping branches[].
Often harvested from the wild for its edible fruit and medicinal uses, it is sometimes also cultivated for the fruit and oil[, ]. The dried fruits are often sold for medicinal use in Indian markets[, ].
This species is endemic to India. The population is declining continuously due to habitat loss. There has been a reduction in forest cover over the past three generation lengths (87 years) of greater than 30% that is suspected to have led to a population size reduction of greater than 30%. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - western India.

Habitat

Coastal and evergreen forests[]. Found in forest lands, riversides, and wasteland, usually in evergreen forest.

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Garcinia indica requires a warm and humid tropical climate. It thrives well in coastal areas receiving over 2,500mm of rainfall, though can tolerate somewhat drier conditions[].
The plant is found wild in lateritic, alluvial soils having depth of around 100cm, and a pH of around 6.7[].
The plant takes around 30 years from seed before it starts producing seed[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. A pleasant, somewhat acid flavour[, ]. They can be eaten raw or made into jellies, syrup and vinegar[]. The dried fruits are used as a flavouring in curries etc, and for making acid-flavoured beverages[]. The fruit is the size of a small orange[].

The seeds are the source of an oil called 'kokam butter'[, ], which is solid at room temperature. Often used as a food in India, it is also used for adulterating ghee or butter[].

Medicinal

The seed butter is used as a remedy in the treatment of dysentery and mucous diarrhoea[].
The butter is applid externally to treat chaps and fissures of the lips[].

The ripe fruit is anthelmintic and cardiotonic[]. The aqueous extraction from the fruits of this species is also used in order to reduce anxiety[].

The root, bark, fruit and the seed oil are used to treat piles, abdominal disorders, mouth diseases and worm infestations[].

Other Uses

The seed contains 23 - 26% oil, which remains solid at room temperature[, ]. It is used in the preparation of confectionery, medicines and cosmetics.

The greyish-white wood is hard[].

Propagation

Seed - we have no specific information on this species, but the seed of most members of the genus can be slow to germinate, even if sown fresh, often taking 6 months or more[].

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