The Kaymito tree, also known as chrisophyllum cainito, is a popular angiosperm in tropical countries. This tree bears fruits and has oblong leaves that are leathery, dark green, and glossy on the upper surface and golden brown underneath. Its fleshy fruits are delicious and highly favored. It has various names such as cainito, caimito, star apple, golden leaf tree, abiaba, pomme du lait, estrella, milk fruit, and aguay. It is also called Achras cainito. In the Philippines, it is traditionally used as a natural remedy for diarrhea.
The decoction of caimito leaves is an effective remedy for diarrhea, with recommended dosages for different age groups. For adults, the recommended dosage is 1 cup. Infants should be given 1 tablespoon, while babies aged 2-6 years should be given ? cup and babies aged 7-12 years should be given ? cup.
In addition to treating diarrhea, a decoction of caimito leaves can also be used as a gargle to treat stomatitis. To make the gargle solution, boil the leaves for 15 minutes.
Caimito bark is another part of the plant that can be utilized for healing dysentery. In some countries, it is even used as a medication for cancer.
Caimito leaves themselves have certain characteristics. They are evergreen and alternate in arrangement on the stem. The shape of the leaves is simple oval-shaped with lengths ranging from 5-15 cm. When viewed from afar, the underside of the leaves has a shining golden color.
The tree bears small flowers that are pale purple and have a pleasant, sweet aroma. Additionally, it possesses both male and female reproductive organs, enabling self-fertilization. The fruit of the tree is circular with purple skin and may occasionally exhibit green coloring around the calyx area. Internally, the fruit displays a star-shaped pulp; however, there can be instances where it appears greenish-white instead. The fruit’s skin contains latex, rendering it along with the rind inedible. The seeds of the tree are flat, hard, and light brown in hue. Once the tree attains approximately seven years of age, it produces fruit uninterruptedly throughout all seasons.
Caimitos, also called star apples, are delicious fruits that can be enjoyed as a fresh dessert. They have a sweet taste and are best served chilled. In addition to their culinary appeal, Caimito leaves possess medicinal properties and have been historically used to treat diabetes and articular rheumatism. Furthermore, the fruit itself boasts antioxidant properties. The bark of Caimito is considered both a tonic and stimulant, with a decoction of it being employed for cough relief. It is worth noting that Caimito fruits come in two colors: dark purple and greenish brown. The purple variety has a denser skin and texture compared to the greenish brown variant which features a thinner skin and more liquid pulp.
Caimito is superior due to its antioxidants, specifically its polyphenolic antioxidants. These antioxidants, such as cyanidin-3-O-?-glucopyranoside, are beneficial for human health and help combat oxidative stress, including cardiovascular diseases.
