| Gambooge | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Clusiaceae |
| Genus: | Garcinia |
| Species: | G. gummi-gutta |
| Binomial name | |
| Garcinia gummi-gutta (L.) N.Robson |
|
Garcinia gummi-gutta (syn. G. cambogia, G. quaesita) is a subtropical species of Garcinia native to Indonesia also commonly known as gambooge,ಕಾಚುಪುಳಿ (kannada/karnataka) brindleberry, brindall berry, Malabar tamarind, kodumpuli (Malayalam/Kerala), or goraka (Sinhala). The yellowish fruit is pumpkin-shaped.
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Gamboge is grown for its fruit in southeast Asia, and west and central Africa. It thrives in moist forests.
In Indian traditional medicine, this species was prescribed for edema, delayed menstruation, constipation and intestinal parasites. In the form of precoction, it was also used for rheumatism and bowel complaints.
The extract and rind of Garcinia cambogia is a curry condiment in India. Extracts from this species are an ingredient in some herbal appetite suppressant and energy products, though there is no formal evidence to support its effectiveness. It is used in weight-loss supplements.[1]
Hepatotoxicity (liver toxicity) from weight-loss supplements which contain extracts of Garcinia cambogia has been reported.[1]