Star Fruit Uses, Dose, Research, Side Effects

Star fruit – Averrhoa carambola is used a good source for fibre, Vitamin C, in Ayurveda to treat IBS, and disorders involving Kapha and Vata dosha such as cough and cold. 

Botanical name- Averrhoa carambola Linn.
Family- Oxalidaceae (Wood sorrel family)

Vernacular names

Names in different languages:
Hindi name- Karmarang, Kamarang, Kamrakh
English name- Star fruit tree, Carambola tree, Carambola apple, Karazola, Coromandal gooseberry
Bengali name- Karmaranga
Tamil name- Tamarattai
Taiwanese – Dah Pon
Thai name -Fwang Tung
Malaysian name – Maha
Indonesian name – Demak

Sanskrit synonyms

Brihadamla, Rujaraka, Sralam

Classical categorization

Bhavaprakasha – Purva Khanda, Mishra Prakarana, Amradi Phalavarga (group of fruits like mango)

Habitat

It is native to Malayan peninsula and cultivated in Southeast Asia – Philippines, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Pacific islands and China for its fruits.

Chemical composition

Averrhoa carambola chemical composition:
Ascorbic acid, B-& a- Carotene, Poly galacturonase and volatile components
Antioxidant phyto-nutrients polyphenolic flavonoids such as quercetin, epicatechin, and gallic acid.
Copper, pantothenic acid, and potassium

Medicinal properties

Star fruit medicinal Properties:
Rasa (taste) – Madhura – sweet, Amla – Sour
Guna (qualities) – Laghu – light to digest
Vipaka- Madhura – Undergoes sweet taste conversion after digestion
Veerya – Sheeta – Coolant
Effect on Tridosha – Balances Kapha and Vata Dosha

Part used, dosage

Part used– Fruit
Dosage- Fruit juice 10-40 ml

Starfruit uses

Grahi – absorbent, useful in IBS
It is a  source for fibre.
It is a very good source of Vitamin C, hence useful in treating cold, cough and infections.
It is used for the treatment of cough, fever, sore throat, ulcers, hangover, insomnia and eczema.

Research

Star fruit for liver cancer – Star fruit has promise as chemo preventive supplement for liver cancer. (research)
Experimental study against high BP
Anti microbial and antioxidant activity

How to consume

The fruit is consumed or fruit juice is administered in a dose between 10 – 40 ml.

Side effects

Star fruit side effects:
Because it contains fructose, consumption in large quantities is not recommended.
Because it contains oxalic acid and Caramboxin, people with kidney stones,kidney failure and who are on dialysis treatment should not take this fruit.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most of the dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.