Medicinal Plants

Garcinia atroviridis Griff. ex T.Anderson.

Asam Gelugur

Clusiaceae

Location in the garden Fruit
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Garcinia atroviridis (Asam Gelugur) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Garcinia atroviridis (Asam Gelugur) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Garcinia atroviridis (Asam Gelugur)

Summary

Asam gelugur (Garcinia atroviridis) is a tree that can grow over 20 meters tall, of the Clusiaceae family; its fruit is seasonal and widely found across Southeast Asia, including from Aceh to South Sumatra. Its dried fruit slices are commonly used as a sour seasoning in cooking, while the Malay community processes it into halwa sweets for festive occasions. Traditionally, asam gelugur is also believed to lower uric acid and cholesterol levels.

Agroecology

This plant is found at elevations of up to 1,700 m above sea level, favoring sandy soil, clay, rocky soil, moist riverbank soil, limestone soil, and even degraded soil at mountain edges. In Sumatra, asam gelugur is widely found in primary forest, secondary forest, and mixed gardens at temperatures of 25-28 °C.

Morphology

  • Roots taproot, strong.
  • Trunk smooth-surfaced, branched.
  • Leaves young leaves pink, mature leaves green. Oblong, elongated, lanceolate.
  • Flowers female and hermaphrodite, with thick, dark red sepals.
  • Fruit large and round, flattened at both poles, wavy with regular grooves, with a soft yellow skin when ripe.
  • Seeds coated with a clear flesh layer and containing a translucent yellowish-white sap.

Cultivation

Propagated generatively (by seed) and vegetatively (by top grafting and root cuttings).

Chemical Content

Citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, ascorbic acid, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, palmitoleic acid, palmitic acid, β-farnesene, β-caryophyllene.

Benefits

Lowers uric acid levels, blood pressure, cholesterol, and body weight; helps prevent heart attacks; treats earache; stimulates appetite; boosts immunity; treats diabetes, toothache, and bloody diarrhea.

Simplisia

  • Prepare asam gelugur fruit, then wash thoroughly with clean running water.
  • Slice into pieces about 3 mm thick, then dry in an oven at 40 °C until the moisture content is below 10%.
  • Once dry, the material can be stored in airtight plastic.

Local Names

Asam potong, Asam keping.

Traditional Recipes

The following recipes reflect traditional knowledge passed down through generations, not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.

Traditional recipe Toothache from Asam Gelugur

1. Toothache

  • Wash 1 piece of asam gelugur thoroughly, apply  to the aching gum, and leave for 10-15 minutes.
  • Rinse with warm water. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not consume it.

Reference Sources

  1. Abdullah AR, Bakhari NA, Osman H. 2013. Study on the relationship of the phenolic, flavonoid and tannin content to the antioxidant activity of Garcinia Atroviridis. Universal J. Appl. Sci. 1(3): 95-100.
  2. Ginting SL. 2017. Keragaman Morfologi Buah dan Kandungan Kimia dari Asam Gelugur (Garcinia atroviridis Griff. Ex.T. Anders) di beberapa Kabupaten Sumatera Utara. Repositori.usu.ac.id/123456789/11658.
  3. Heyne K. 1987. Tumbuhan Berguna Indonesia I. Badan Litbang Kehutanan, Jakarta 659.
  4. Lestami A, Bayu ES, Kardhinata EH. 2017. Identifikasi karakter morfologis asam gelugur (Garcinia atroviridis griff. Ex.T. Anders) di beberapa Kabupaten Sumatera Utara. J. Agroekoteknol. 5(3): 515-523.
  5. Mackeen MM, Ali AM, Lajis NH, Kawazu K, Hassan Z, Amran M, Habsah M, Mooi LY, Mohamed SM. 2000. Antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumour-promoting and cytotoxic activities of different plant part extracts of Garcinia atroviridis Griff. ex T. Anders. J. Ethnopharmacol. 72:395–402.
  6. Mansoub MA, Asmawi MZ, Murugaiyah V. 2013. Effect of extraction solvents and plant parts used on the antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant effects of Garcinia atroviridis: a comparative study. J. Sci. Food Agric. 94:1552–1558.
  7. Sitompul MN. 2019. Pengaruh tingkat kematangan buah asam gelugur dan metode pengeringan terhadap mutu asam potong. http://repositori.usu.ac.id/handle/123456789/16151
  8. Tabloid Sinar Tani.com. Segudang Khasiat Asam Gelugur: Obat Sakit Gigi. https://tabloidsinartani.com/detail/indeks/klinik-teknologi/3081-segudang-khasiat-asam-gelugur 09-07-2020
  9. PubMed.gov. Chemical composition and cytotoxic activity of Garcinia atroviridis Griff. ex T. Anders. essential oils in combination with tamoxifen. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28782393/ 03-02-2021
  10. Pubmed.ncbi. Chemical composition and cytotoxic activity of Garcinia atroviridis Griff. ex T. Anders. essential oils in combination with tamoxifen.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28782393/1 02-12-2020