Kamias – Averrhoa Bilimbi Linn.

kamias fruits

Kamias – Averrhoa Bilimbi Linn.

Local names: Iba (Tag., Sul., P. Bis.); ibag (Mbo); kalamias (Tag.); kalanuas (Tag.); kalingiua (Bis.); kamias (Tag.); kolonanas (Tag.); kolonauas (Tag.); kiling-iba (Bik.); ibe (Yak.); pias (Ilk.); puis (Ig.).

Kamias occurs in the cultivated and semi-cultivated state throughout the Philippines. It was introduced from tropical America, and is now pantropic in distribution.

This is a small tree, growing from 5 to 12 meters in height. The leaves are pinnate and 20 to 60 centimeters long, with hairy rachis and leaflets. The leaflets are opposite, 10 to 17 pairs, oblong, and 5 to 10 centimeters in length. The panicles growing from the trunk and larger branches, are hairy and 15 centimeters long or less. The flowers are about 1.5 centimeters long, and are somewhat fragrant. The calyx is hairy. The corolla is purple, often marked with white. The fruit is sub-cylindric or with 5, obscure, broad, rounded, longitudinal lobes, green, acid, edible and about 4 centimeters long.

kamias leaves

The fruit is used to remove stains from clothing and also for washing the hands. It is also used as a seasoning and is made into sweets, including jam, and is used in making pickles.

Daruty reports that the fruit contain potassium oxalate.

Burkill and Haniff records that the leaves are used by the Malays externally as a paste applied hot to itches; and internally, fresh or fermented, for syphilis; or, in the form of infusion, as a protective medicine after childbirth. Heyne states that a decoction of the leaves is given in Java for inflammation of the rectum. The Japanese also apply a paste of them for mumps, rheumatism, and pimples. They use an infusion of the flowers for coughs and thrust.

According to Kirtikar and Basu and Nadkarni, the fruit is an astringent, stomachic, and refrigerant. It is used in piles.

The juice of the fruit is made into a syrup for a cooling drink in case of fever. It is anti-scorbutic. This syrup is also used in some slight cases of haemorrhage from the bowels, stomach, and internal haemorrhoids. A conserve of the fruit is used in Java for beriberi, biliousness, and coughs.

Source: Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of Agriculture