Averrhoa carambola
Averrhoa bilimbi, commonly known as bilimbi or cucumber tree, is a tropical plant valued for its medicinal properties. Characterized by its small, acidic fruits, it is traditionally used in folk medicine to treat skin ailments, kidney stones, and digestive issues. Its potent bioactive compounds offer significant therapeutic potential.
- Scientific name: Averrhoa carambola
- Family: Oxalidaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Averrhoa carambola, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Oxalidales and the family Oxalidaceae. Finally, its taxonomic hierarchy concludes with the genus Averrhoa.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Oxalidales | WCVP |
| Family | Oxalidaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Averrhoa | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several tropical and subtropical regions. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence is noted around the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Its range extends to the Western Indian Ocean, specifically within the Comoros. Within China, it can be found in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan regions. These diverse locations highlight the plant's adaptability to various humid environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
Chemicals
Averrhoa carambola has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ascorbic acid, oxalate.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| ascorbic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxalate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Averrhoa carambola has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihyperglycemic, Hepatotoxic, Nephrotoxic, Neurotoxic.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antihyperglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Nephrotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neurotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Averrhoa carambola has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include fever, vomiting, Alzheimer's disease, chronic headache, cough.
- Total uses
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fever | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| vomiting | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chronic headache | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| headaches | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| memory deficits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |