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Five Eye Fruit
Choerospondias axillaris (Roxb)
Burtt et Hill
SOUR DATE
WU YAN GUO
The five eye fruit, wu yan guo, (five eye fruit), is also called nan suan
zao (south sour date), niu yan guo (ox eye fruit) or suan guo (sour fruit).
The tree grows to a height of 5-10 meters. The elliptical fruit is about
30-40mm in length and 20-25mm in diameter. The surface is green in immature
fruit and turns yellow when ripe.
The skin is flexible and tough
and covered with light brown speckles. When the skin has been peeled the
paste-like flesh can be seen. This is extremely sour. In the centre is a
stone, in one end of which there are 4-5 small holes (hence the name
five-eye fruit).
The fruit ripens at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The fruit
has a sour astringent flavor and is cool in nature.
The fruit invigorates the spleen, strengthens the stomach, alleviates pain
and is astringent. It contains organic acid, vitamin C, tannin, etc.
APPLICATIONS
1. LACK OF STOMACH ACID; INDIGESTION. Eat 1-2 pieces of fresh fruit in the
morning and again in the evening.
2. STOMACH PAINS OR DIARRHOEA CAUSED BY ENTERITIS OR DYSENTERY. Take 2
pieces of fresh fruit, crush and mix with 30 grams of brown sugar. Steam in
water and serve. If necessary repeat after a few hours.
3. ECZEMA; PSORIASIS. Take 250 grams of unripe fruit, crush and simmer in
water for an hour. Apply the liquid to the affected parts several times a
day.
4. BLEEDING WOUNDS: OPEN SORES; BOILS; ULCERS ON LOWER LIMBS THAT CONTINUE
TO FESTER. Take some dried fruit skin and further dry it by the fire until
it turns yellow and can be ground into a powder. Sprinkle this on the
affected part and cover with a bandage.
WARNING
People suffering from stomach ulcers or hyperacidity should avoid eating
this fruit.
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