Medicinal Plants

Averrhoa bilimbi L.

Belimbing Wuluh

Oxalidaceae

Location in the garden Fruit
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Averrhoa bilimbi (Belimbing Wuluh) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Averrhoa bilimbi (Belimbing Wuluh) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Averrhoa bilimbi (Belimbing Wuluh)

Summary

Bilimbi (Averrhoa bilimbi) is a tree up to 10 meters tall of the Oxalidaceae family, believed to be native to the Maluku Islands, India, and Sri Lanka, now cultivated commercially as far as Southern Florida and Hawaii. Its sour fruit is commonly used as a flavoring in Nusantara cuisine. In addition, its boiled decoction or juice has traditionally been believed to relieve cough, fever, and toothache.

Agroecology

This plant grows in lowlands at elevations of up to 500 m above sea level. It favors unshaded, sufficiently moist locations.

Morphology

  • Trunk wavy and uneven.
  • Leaves compound, 30-60 cm long with 11-45 pairs of leaflets, green, short-stalked, ovate to oblong with a somewhat pointed tip and rounded base.
  • Flowers compound, arranged in panicles, emerging from the trunk.
  • Fruit a berry, oblong, 4-6 cm long, yellowish-green, and juicy.

Cultivation

  • Propagated generatively (by seed) and vegetatively (by cuttings, air layering, top grafting).
  • Plant seedlings in holes about 25 cm in diameter and 30-40 cm deep.

Chemical Content

Formic acid, glucosides, peroxides, tannins, saponins, amino acids, citric acid, phenolic compounds, cyanidin 3-O-β-D-glucoside, flavonoids, triterpenoids, oxalic acid.

Benefits

Treats cough, colds, fever, flu, insect bite infections, mumps, diabetes; addresses allergies and ringworm; eliminates bad breath (halitosis); treats rheumatism, canker sores, acne, high blood pressure, and toothache.

Local Names

Limeng ungkot, Bohlimeng (Aceh), Selemeng (Gayo), Asom, Balimbingan (Batak), Malimbi (Nias), Balimbieng (Minangkabau), Calincing (Sunda), Bhalingbhing bulu (Madura), Blingbing buloh (Bali), Limbi (Bima), Balimbeng (Flores).

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 Cough from Belimbing Wuluh

1. Cough

  • Prepare 10 g bilimbi flowers, 5 g rock sugar, 500 ml water, 2 tbsp honey (optional).
  • Wash the bilimbi flowers thoroughly and place in a container, add the rock sugar.
  • Heat a small steamer and steam the flowers for 25 minutes. Once boiling, remove and strain while pressing to extract the liquid.
  • Drink 3 times a day.
Traditional recipe Bad Breath (halitosis) from Belimbing Wuluh

2. Bad Breath (halitosis)

  • Prepare 15 g bilimbi flowers, 20 g galangal (crushed), 4 cardamom pods.
  • Wash all ingredients thoroughly, boil in 600 ml water until reduced to 200 ml, then strain.
  • Drink while warm.

Reference Sources

  1. Lim, T.K. (2012). Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants: Vol. 1, Fruits. Springer. DOI 10.1007/978-90-481-8661-7_3. (pp.448-453).
  2. Stuart Xchange. (2017). Philippines Medicinal Plants. Averrhoa bilimbi L. http://www.stuartxchange.com/Kamias.html 20-07-2020
  3. Widyaningrum Herlina, Tim Solusi Alternatif. 2019. Kitab Tanaman Obat Nusantara.Penerbit Media Pressindo, Jakarta.
  4. Wiradimadja R., Tanwiriah W., Rusmana D. 2015. Efek penambahan belimbing wuluh (Averrhoa bilimbi L.) dalam ransum terhadap performan, karkas dan income over feed cost ayam kampung. ZIRAA'AH, 40(2): 86-91. 25-03-2021.