Family Name: Guttiferae
Botanical Name(s): Garcinia Hanburyii
Popular Name(s): Gutta Gamba, Gummigutta, Tom Rong, Gambodia,
Garcinia Morella.
Parts Used: Gum resin.
Habitat: It is a native of Southern India, China, Cambodia and
Ceylon
Description: The Gamboge tree grows to a height of 50 feet, with
a diameter of 12 inches, and the gum resin is extracted by incisions or
by breaking off the leaves and shoots of the trees, the juice which is a
milky yellow resinous gum, resides in the ducts of the bark and is
gatheredin vessels, and left to thicken and become hardened.
Uses: It is very useful in dropsical conditions and to lower
blood pressure, where there is cerebral congestion. The fruit of
Garcinia cambogia has been traditionally used in food preparation and
cooking, having a distinctive sweet acid taste. When fully ripe, it is
too acid to eat fresh by itself.
