What Is “Hog Plum?”
Hog plum, also identified as the yellow mombin ornamental tree of the cashew family (Anacardiaceae), which belongs to the Spondias genus, is the name given to the fruits of the hog plum tree. The hog plum tree is an ornamental tree of the cashew family (Anacardiaceae), which is related to the cashew family (Anacardiaceae). The fruit is available in a variety of colors, including purple, orange, red, green, and yellow. This fruit’s thicker, leathery skin protects a pink-yellow pulp within that has a texture that is similar to that of an avocado.
Where Does the Hog Plum Grow?
Hog plums are native to Central America and can be found in abundance in Brazil, Peru, Grenada, and other parts of the Caribbean, where they can be found in a variety of colors.
It is found in Western Africa, primarily in Nigeria, and is referred to as Iyeye or Ebo in the Yoruba area, respectively. In Igbo, the fruit is referred to as Ngugulu, while the tree is referred to as Ijikara (tree). Spondias mombin is the scientific name for this plant, which is also known as Isada in Hausa.
Several Hog Plum Varieties
They mostly grow in the bush and spread seeds, which means that humans rarely grow the fruit. They are best when they have been ripped, and the color has ended up turning yellow or orange.
It comes in different color ranges depending on the weather and climate. The hog plum is an orange-yellow color in Nigeria. In other countries, the color can be green, orange, purple, or red, and it may look like a mango depending on the type of fruit grown.
Hog Plum Nutritional Value
This fruit contains a wide range of nutritional components, including salt, calcium, magnesium, and a host of other nutrients, as illustrated below.
- Ash content of 0.75
- Moisture content: 83.6 g
- Energy content: 65.4 g
- Iron is 0.33 milligrams.
- Magnesium is 15 milligrams.
- Dietary fiber: 1.87 g
- Sodium is 5.5 milligrams.
- 11 milligrams of calcium.
- 12 g of copper.
- 80 g of carbohydrates
- Fat content: 0.62 g
- 06g of protein
- 254 milligrams of potassium.
- 390 milligrams of beta-carotene
- 25 grams (550g) of Zeinoxanthin
- 07 micrograms of phosphorus
- Manganese is 0.03 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.
- 634g Vitamin A (as Lutein)
- Antioxidant beta-carotene (314% of the total).
- 1750 milligrams of beta-cryptoxanthin
Health Benefits of Hog Plum
Controls Anemia
Consuming hog plum will help to eliminate anemia. In addition to being high in iron, hog plums also aid in maintaining a normal hemoglobin level. This results in it having a significant impact on anemia prevention.
Increases the Strength of the Bones
Fruit that is low in fat, salt, and cholesterol while being high in vitamin K, which is important for maintaining optimum bone health.
Vitamin K not only aids in blood clotting, but it also strengthens the bones, thereby aiding in the prevention of bone health conditions such as fractures and other fractures. However, its effects on osteoporosis have not been proven medically, despite the fact that most people take it for this purpose.
According to research, hog plums include copper, which is necessary for the healthy function of the bones and other linking tissues in the body system, as well as for the proper absorption of vitamin C.
Vitamin C Content Is High
Hog plums are a natural antioxidant that protects your body from harmful free radicals, potentially decreasing your risk of cardiovascular disease. Hog plums are also high in fiber, which is another important nutrient. Portion size is around 100 grams, and each 100-gram meal contains approximately 46 milligrams of vitamin C.
Every day, this provides between 51 and 61 percent of the daily consumption requirement. In addition to supporting your immune system, vitamin C aids in the creation of collagen, which is essential for the health of your ligaments, skin, tendons, and cartilage.
Diuretic and Febrifuge Properties Are Provided
Hog plum fruits and juice are therapeutic in nature and can be used to cure a variety of ailments. When the body is able to remove fluids (water) from the body efficiently and adequately via its urine, it also aids in reducing the amount of salt (sodium) in the body, hence minimizing the risk of developing elevated vital signs (hypertension, for example).
Also known as a febrifuge, it can function as a substitute for fever medications due to its ability to aid in the reduction and treatment of fever and malaria. It has been used locally in many tropical areas due to its properties, which include flavonoids, anthraquinones, sesquiterpenes, quinoline, and other compounds.
Prevents Heart Disease
A study on the effectiveness and antioxidant content of hog plums in rat hearts was published in the journal “Cardiovascular Toxicology” in 2010. Hog plums were discovered to have a naturally high concentration of antioxidants, which researchers said was comparable to the heart drug ramipril.
According to the findings of this study, hog plums were found to lower total cholesterol levels and to have a heart-healthy effect on scales when ramipril was added. Hog plums, the researchers concluded, may be advantageous for overall heart health, but further research in people is needed to confirm this result.
Aids in the Growth of Muscular Mass
One of the vitamins that can be found in hog plum is thiamine. It has a variety of purposes in the body, one of which is its capacity to aid with muscle contraction and nerve signal transmission.
Its insufficiency can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including physical weakness, which can even cause confusion in certain people. The consumption of this fruit in sufficient quantities can help reduce the likelihood of developing this disease.
Keep Your Skin in Good Condition
In addition to promoting good skin, hair, and nail health, hog plum fruit also has anti-inflammatory properties. Hog plum is very helpful in reducing acne and maintaining a healthy complexion.
Among the many nutrients found in Hog plum are high levels of vitamin C, which is critical for maintaining healthy skin. In order to hold the skin attractive and healthy, hog plum can be consumed on a daily basis.
Prevents Indigestion and Constipation
Prevent indigestion and constipation. Furthermore, it is beneficial in the treatment and prevention of spasticity. Loss of appetite is lessened as a result of using this supplement.
Treats Dysentery
Flavonoids, saponins, and tannins are found in the leaves and bark of this tree. To treat dysentery and coughs, the content is very good at what it does. Take about 5 grams of Kedondong bark and pick a skin that is clean and fresh.
Following that, cut into small pieces and boil with 2 cups of water until there is a remaining half cup of water, then put them away until they get warmer. Strain the water and drink it. For dysentery, it is thought to be one of the best ways to get rid of the sickness.
Hog Plums’ Traditional Uses
- It is used in conventional medicine to treat a variety of ailments such as lower back pain, rheumatism, digestive tract issues, angina, sore throat, malarial fever, diarrhea, urethritis, gonorrhea, stomach aches, colds, dysentery, laryngitis, ophthalmia, and a host of other conditions.
- As well as being utilized in the production of antiseptic soaps, leaves are also used to cure sore throats, coughs, and malaria.
- Because of the therapeutic advantages of the bark, the juice, and the fruit, they are valuable to traditional herbalists in the preparation of alternative medicines.
- Infusions of the flowers are commonly produced and used to treat eye infections and cataracts, as a heart tonic and a calming tea for sore throats, laryngitis, and mouth sores.
- For diarrhea, it is cooked and served as a side dish.
- A decoction of the root bark or bark is considered antiseptic, and plant extracts have been shown to have antibacterial effects.
- Tuberculosis, diarrhea, and vaginal infections are all treated with root as an antibacterial treatment.
- Dysentery is treated by an infusion of medication.
- A common midwife’s treatment, it can be used to assist in the induction of labor, the reduction of bleeding and discomfort during and after childbirth, the stimulation of breast milk production, and the use of a vaginal wash to prevent or treat uterine or vaginal infections following childbirth.
- Ophthalmia is treated using eyewash made from a decoction of leaves and young stems.
- Treatment for gonorrhea, diarrhea, coughs and colds, hemorrhages, stomach aches, and weariness is made from the bark of the willow tree.
- It is used to treat laryngitis.
- A common usage of leaves is for female reproductive tract difficulties in South American herbal medicine systems, as well as in other parts of the world.
- It is traditional in Belize to drink a decoction of the young leaves to treat diarrhea and dysentery.
- Wounded or inflamed areas are treated with poultices made from the juice of crushed leaves or the powder of dried leaves.
- Tapeworms are expelled with the help of this gum, which is employed as an expectorant.