Wuluh Benefits of star fruit

Wuluh starfruit in lathin language is Averrhoa bilimbi or also called starfruit is a kind of tree which is thought to originate from Maluku. The content of starfruit is able to treat various diseases. Wuluh starfruit contains active substances saponins, flavonoids, tannins, glucosides, citric acid, formic acids, and some minerals, especially potassium and calcium. This fruit also contains several vitamins, namely vitamins A, B, and C.

Wuluh starfruit likes places that are exposed to direct sunlight but are quite moist. This starfruit grows wild in forests and fields, then it is easy to find it in the house. Living at an altitude of 5-500 m above sea level, this plant thrives not only in Indonesia, it also grows in other Asian countries such as the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Malaysia.

Morphologically starfruit is a small tree with a stem that is not so large and has a diameter of 30 cm. The main stem is short, bumpy, the branches are low and few. Corrugated / uneven trunk texture. In the leaves, this plant is an odd pinnate compound with 21-45 pairs of leaves. Child leaves are short-stemmed, oval-shaped to the stem, pointed end, rounded base, flat edge, 2-10 cm long, 1-3 cm wide, green, light green bottom surface.

Inflorescences are panicles, the flowers are small, in groups, come out directly on the trunks and branches with hair and hanging flowers. The flowers are dark purple and the base is light purple.

The fruit of starfruit is elliptical in shape, like a torpedo with a length of 4-10 cm. The color of the fruit when young is green, with the rest of the flower petals attached to the end. If it cooks, the fruit is pale yellow. The flesh is runny and very acidic. Shiny and thin fruit skin. The seeds are small (6 mm) flat and brown in color, and covered with mucus.

This plant is easy to grow and breed through grafts or seed nurseries, in the age of 3-4 years this plant begins to bear fruit. The amount of fruit produced reached 1,500 a year.

Wuluh starfruit leaves can be used as an antipyretic, overcoming aches and pains. The flowers can cure coughing. The fruit can overcome various diseases, such as treating diabetes, toothache, tackling tinea versicolor, preventing hypertension, and thrush. The fruit is often used as sweets or mixed vegetables.

Another benefit of this plant is as a fishy deodorizer, tilapia and meat preservatives, polishing items made of brass, and used as cosmetic ingredients.