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.