Kokum: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects And More!
By Dr Anuja Bodhare +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr Anuja Bodhare
Last updated: Oct 22, 2024 Published on: Apr 28, 2022
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By Dr Anuja Bodhare +2 more
Table of Contents
Kokum, also known as Garcinia indica, is native to India and is known by different names in different regions. It is referred to as Goa butter tree or kokum butter tree in English, Bheranda in Marathi, Vrikshamla in Sanskrit, Punarpuli in Tulu, Murgal- masala in Tamil, etc. It mainly grows on the Western coasts of India but can also be found in the Eastern and North-Eastern states.1
It might be widely used for culinary purposes, for the picking of fish (called Colombo curing), for making drinks, for the manufacture of cosmetics, etc., but most importantly, it is used in Ayurveda for its wide range of potential uses.1,2
Did you know?
Nutritional composition of kokum: 2
Also Read: Ber Fruit: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & More!
Other than loads of health benefits, Kokum may have a beneficial role in the food industry. I recently read in an article that it may be a perfect choice for colour extraction since it is a rich source of anthocyanin.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)
Kokum has been used since ancient times due to potential properties like:
The following may be the potential use of kokum for health.
Kokum might help protect the liver; hence it might be used as a liver tonic.2 Kokum might help in the digestion of food. It may act as a natural antacid, and its preparations with yoghurt and salt may help with gastric ulceration and burning sensation.3 It may be helpful in the management of stools with blood and mucous content due to stomach infections (dysentery), watery stools (diarrhoea) and fissures due to hard stools (piles).3 Overall, kokum might be good for digestive health and gut-related problems and may help with the appetite.2 However, more studies are required.
Kokum might be helpful for weight management as it might help reduce hunger and may help increase the expenditure of energy.1 It may also help in suppressing the production of fatty acids and might help in their conversion into glycogen, which is stored in the liver. All these mechanisms might aid in weight management, and juices made of kokum may be helpful for this purpose.2 It might help with better circulation of blood in the body and not allowing the accumulation of fat in the blood vessels.3 However, more research is required to ascertain these claims.
Kokum butter might have potential moisturising properties. Therefore, it is widely used in the cosmetic industry for the preparation of soaps, lip balms, and body lotions.2 Traditionally, it has been used for dry skin. It is may also be helpful for soothing burns and cracked feet and for fissures of the lips, ulcers etc.1,2 However, more research is required to prove these facts.
Also Read: Simple Home Remedies For Skin Whitening
In a research, it was found that Garcinol, one of the three main components of kokum might help with cancer by potentially inhibiting the activity of an enzyme which is known to be responsible for cancer and also may facilitate the death of cancer cells.3
It showed a potential to inhibit the growth of human leukaemia (blood cancer) cells in a study and thus may have a potential chemopreventive (reduce the development of cancer) action.3 It may have an antioxidant property and might neutralise the free radicals present in the body, which are known to be one of the causes of cancer.2 As might help to stop the growth of cells that may be cancerous, it might also help stop the formation of tumours in the body which may lead to cancer.3 Even though there is some evidence that the use of kokum might help with cancer, more study is required in this field.1
Kokum might be effective against bacteria and may therefore also have potential use as an antibiotic in certain cases. When certain conventional antibiotics have side effects, one of the active components of kokum, Garcinol, may be used as an alternative.
Its actions against bacteria like Staphylococcus, which is responsible for many known diseases, might have similar effects to traditional antibiotics used.3 Its potential use against gastric ulcers may also be attributed to its antimicrobial effect against Helicobacter pylori, which is the main causative agent.3
It may also be effective against fungal infections of the skin and mouth and parasitic worms in the stomach.2,3 However, more research is required in this field.
Though there are studies that show the potential uses of kokum in various conditions, but these are insufficient and there is a need of further studies to establish the true extent of benefits of kokum on human health.
Other than medicinal and therapeutic uses, Kokam has found its place in our delicacies as well. From my experience, Kokam is used in production industries in butter, wine, health beverages, pickles, curries, and pickles.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Kokum is widely used in the manufacture of various products and lends itself for use in various forms, some of which are:1
Your Ayurvedic physician will prescribe you the form and dosage as per your health condition.
You must consult a qualified doctor before taking any herbal supplements. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.
Kokum might have side effects, but there are insufficient reports that show the side effects of kokum. Therefore, more studies are required to state the side effects of kokum. Moreover, if you experience any side effects you should visit a doctor before using kokum for health.
It is advised to consult a physician before taking kokum as a medicine for any condition, especially for pregnant and nursing women, elderly individuals and children. Kindly so not use kokum to self-medicate, replace, alter or discontinue any ongoing treatment.
As kokum acts as a weight-reducing agent, it can interfere with the activity of substances involved in insulin sensitivity. Therefore, a physician should be consulted, and frequent monitoring may be required when taking such substances with kokum.3 Please consult a doctor before using kokum. One must always disclose all the current medications being used so that the doctor can make sound decisions and advise you accordingly.
Also Read: Cranberry: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & More!
Kokum might facilitate digestion and may act as a natural antacid.1 However, you should consult a doctor. Please do not self-medicate.
Yes, kokum might have various potential uses for health and may be helpful for ulcers, acidity, protection of the heart and liver, helping in weight management, suppressing the growth of tumour cells etc.1 However, more research is required to prove such the potential use of kokum for human health. Moreover, you should consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment of conditions. Kindly do not self-medicate.
Yes, kokum butter can be used for cooking.1
Kokum might have anti-cancer and anti-tumour potential, but there is no concrete evidence that proves the utility of kokum in the treatment of cancer.1 There is a requirement for more research. Moreover, cancer is a serious condition and should be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.
Yes, it may be used for the manufacture of cosmetics like lip balms, lipsticks, and lotions and may be helpful for chapped skin and wounds as well. It may also help with ulcers.1
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