Range. Tropical and temperate Asia. Found growing naturally throughout Myan­mar, but more commonly in Upper Myanmar and temperate regions.

Uses. Sweet, sour, and astringent in taste, with cooling properties to control agita­tion, promote circulation, and calm “heat”.

Whole plant: A laxative. Preparations of the fruits, leaves, and seeds are used to aid digestion and urinary function. A decoction of the five parts (stem, leaf, flower, fruit, and root) is taken to cure diabetes.

Bark and Root: astringent.

Leaf: A decoction reduced to one-third the starting volume is used as a mouthwash for cracks on the tongue and inside the mouth, as well as for gum boils and gingivitis. Young leaves are eaten with rice vinegar or with nipa palm vinegar (made from the sap of Nypa fruticans) to alleviate indigestion and diarrhea. The pow­der is sprinkled on burns and scalded skin to treat them. A mixture of coconut oil and leaves roasted until burnt is used for sores in infants.

Fruit: Used to promote longev­ity; alleviate coughs, asthma, and bronchitis. Also used as an anti-scorbutic, diuretic, and laxative. Juice used to treat inflammation of the eyes. The powder can be eaten mixed together with jaggery, honey, and/or molasses to cure urinary infections. Juice extracted from crushed fruit is taken with lime juice for instant relief from dysentery. A mixture of dried fruit cooked together with eel is also used for dysentery. A mixture of the paste from the dried or fresh fruit with ginger and a small amount of lime juice is applied topically for itches, rashes, ringworm and other fungal skin infections and freckles; it is also used with hsee-cho (Orthosiphon aristatus) for discoloration of the cheeks. For nosebleeds, fruit is crushed very finely and applied to the head as a poul­tice.

Seed: A wash made from crushed seeds and boiling water is used for eye infections.

DeFilipps, Robert A.; Krupnick, Gary A. / PhytoKeys, v. 102. - - p. 1 - 314,  2018.