Socfindo Conservation

Malabar Chestnut

Pachira aquatica Aubl.

Malvaceae

Location in our garden

Malabar Chestnut 1Malabar Chestnut 2Malabar Chestnut 3

Overview

The species is endemic to Tropical America from Northern Peru and Northern Brazil in the southern parts of Mexico. Across the tropics and sub-tropics, it has been introduced and cultivated. It is grown as an ornamental plant for its edible parts, medicinal uses and The tree is used as a good luck sign and is known as the money tree.
 

Vernacular Names

Cacau-selvagem (Brazil), Gua li (Chinese), Bombakopsis vodní (Czech), Châtaigner Sauvage (French), Wilder Cacobaum (German), Zapote bobo (Mexico).
 

Agroecology

This species is a tropical wetland tree that grows along rivers and estuaries. It preferring an average annual rainfall of 2000-5000 mm, a pH of 6-8.5 and an average annual temperature of 22-28°C. It can be  started flowering and fruiting when it reaches 2 m in height. This species is very drought-and-shade tolerant.

 

Morphology

  • Stem - branched, small to medium-sized, heavily branched deciduous tree which with a 90 cm diameter stout trunk and buttress base, can reach 17 m in height.
  • Bark - greenish when young, grey when mature. Petiole 11–15 cm long, tomentose.
  • Leaves - palmately compound, with 5–11 leaflets and 11–15 cm long and arranged spirally. Leaflets are ovate-elliptical or elliptic oblong, 13–28 cm long by 5–8 cm wide
  • Flowers - solitary, bisexual, large, up to 31 cm long, showy, olive green, axillary to leaf near the shoot and sweetly aromatic.
  • Seed - angular, large, 2.2-6 x 2-3.2 cm, brownish, edible.
     

Cultivation

  • Generative transmission occurs by seeds. Seeds are best planted in individual containers as soon as they are ripe in a partially shaded location.
  • Vegetative transmission is by cuttings and layering.
     

Chemical Constituents

  • In the scent were identified and classified as terpenoids, benzenoids, fatty acid derivatives or nitrogen containing compounds.
  • Leaves major components were 9-octadecenamide, photolytic, and methyl palmate.

Benefits

  • The seeds is used as a cure for eye diseases.
  • The skin of an immature green fruit is used for the treatment of hepatitis.
  • The bark and immature fruits to treat liver afflictions. In addition, it is also used as medicinally to treat diabetes, headaches and stomach problems. Whereas the bark decoction is used in the treatment of anemia, high blood pressure, tiredness and general weakness.

Simplisia

  • Cuci bersih daun pachira yang sudah tua.
  • Keringkan pada sinar matahari selama 5-7 hari atau menggunakan oven dengan suhu 40°C hingga kadar air 10%.
  • Setelah kering blender menjadi bubuk.
  • Simpan pada wadah tertutup.
     

Plant Parts Used

Malabar Chestnut part 1
Malabar Chestnut part 2
Malabar Chestnut part 3
Malabar Chestnut part 4

Traditional Recipes

Sakit buah pinggang (ginjal)

1. Sakit buah pinggang (ginjal)

  • Potong 1 buah pachira menjadi 4 bagian kemudian cuci hingga bersih.
  • Rebus dengan air sebanyak 1 cangkir selama 5 menit dengan api kecil.
  • Saring ramuan lalu minum sebelum makan pagi selama 3 hari berturut turut.
2. Larutan tonik, penyegar, obat sakit perut dan sakit kepala

2. 2. Larutan tonik, penyegar, obat sakit perut dan sakit kepala

  • Ambil kulit batang pachira berukuran 2,5 x 10 cm, cuci bersih.
  • Rebus dengan 750 ml air selama 10 menit.
  • Minum 6 kali sehari dengan dosis 125 ml sekali minum.

Reference Sources

  1. https://uses.plantnet-project.org/en/Pachira_aquatica_(PROSEA) diakses tanggal 24 November 2021.
  2. Wulijarni-Soetjipto, N. & Jansen, P.C.M., 2001. Pachira aquatica Aubl.. In: van der Vossen, H.A.M. and Umali, B.E. (Editors): Plant Resources of South-East Asia No 14: Vegetable oils and fats. PROSEA Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia. Database record: prota4u.org/prosea