Spondias Purpurea: Safe Pregnancy Superfruit?

Spondias purpurea, commonly known as the Spanish plum, is a species of flowering plant in the cashew family, native to the tropical regions of the Americas. It has also been introduced to and naturalised in other parts of the American tropics, Southeast Asia, and West Africa.

The fruit is rich in vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, iron, fibre, and several vitamins and amino acids. It is also high in antioxidants, which help rid the body of free radicals.

However, urushiol is present in the sap of the tree and in small concentrations in the fruit peel. This can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitised individuals.

There is no clear indication of whether Spondias purpurea is safe during pregnancy.

Spondias purpurea's medicinal uses

Spondias purpurea, also known as scarlet plum, purple mombin, or jocote, is a flowering plant species in the cashew family, Anacardiaceae, native to tropical regions of the Americas, from Mexico to northern Colombia and the southwest Caribbean Islands. It has been introduced to other parts of the American tropics, Southeast Asia, and West Africa. Here are some of its medicinal uses:

• Leaves: The leaves of the Spondias purpurea exhibit anti-bacterial properties. The leaf juice is taken orally to treat swollen glands and trauma, while crushed leaves are applied as a poultice to treat headaches.
• Fruit: The fruit of the Spondias purpurea is used in folk medicine to treat diarrhoea and diuresis. It is also used to treat gastric disorders and as a diuretic. The fruit is also considered a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and fibre.
• Bark: The bark of the Spondias purpurea is used to treat stomach upset, such as dysentery. The sap or gum from the tree is also used as a glue.
• Seeds: The seeds of the Spondias purpurea have a thick gum coating that is commonly used in chilli stews.
• Wood: The wood of the Spondias purpurea is light and soft, making it suitable for producing paper. The ashes of the wood are also used in soap-making.

Spondias purpurea's nutritional value

Spondias purpureas, also known as ovo, is a fruit native to Ecuador. It is a good source of potassium and an excellent source of vitamin C. The fruit has a high caloric density of 74 kcal/100 g edible portion, which is higher than that of a peach, apricot, plum, mango, or cherry. This is due to its higher concentration of total carbohydrates (19.1%), with fructose, glucose, and sucrose accounting for 65% of the soluble matter.

Spondias purpureas also contain a fair amount of starch and are a moderate source of potassium (250 mg/100 g edible portion). The fruit is rather sweet, with high concentrations of sucrose and fructose. It also has a low fibre content compared to other fruits.

In addition, Spondias purpureas contain a considerable amount of starch in the mesocarp and have a low pectin content. The fruit is used to make jams, ice cream, alcoholic beverages, and vinegars.

Spondias purpurea's toxicity

Spondias purpurea, also known as the Spanish plum, is a species of flowering plant in the cashew family. The plant is native to the tropical Americas, including Mexico, Central America, northern South America, and the West Indies.

Toxicity

The seed of the Spondias purpurea is toxic. The sap and fruit contain urushiol, an oil that causes an allergic rash upon contact with skin.

In folk medicine, Spondias purpurea is used to treat gastric disorders, as an antidiarrheal, and as a diuretic. The leaves are used to treat swollen glands and trauma. The crushed leaves are applied as a poultice to treat headaches.

The plant is also used to treat dysentery, diarrhoea, and sore throats. A decoction of the bark is used to treat stomatitis in infants, while a decoction of the leaves and bark is used as a febrifuge.

Spondias purpurea's agricultural uses

Spondias purpurea, also known as the Spanish Plum, is a species of flowering plant in the cashew family, Anacardiaceae. It is native to the tropical Americas and has been introduced to parts of Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. The plant has a wide variety of agricultural uses, including:

• Food: The fruit is commonly eaten raw or cooked and is used to make jams, ice cream, drinks, and vinegar. The young shoots and leaves are also edible and are often eaten raw or cooked. The leaves are also used as food for cattle.
• Medicine: Spondias purpurea is used in folk medicine to treat various ailments, including diarrhoea, dysentery, and diuresis. It is also used to treat headaches, trauma, and sore throats.
• Fencing: The plant is often used for living fences, as it grows well in a range of soils and its large limbs can be set in the ground to form immediate barriers.
• Fuel: The branches are suitable for use as fuel wood.
• Paper: The soft, light wood is suitable for paper production.
• Soap: The wood ashes can be used to make soap.
• Glue: The tree exudes a gum that has been used as glue in Central America.

In addition, the seeds of the Spondias purpurea have a thick gum coating that is commonly used in chilli stews, and the leaves exhibit antibacterial properties.

Spondias purpurea's history

Spondias purpurea, also known as purple mombin or red mombin, is a species of flowering plant in the cashew family, Anacardiaceae. It is native to the tropical regions of the Americas, from Mexico to northern Colombia and the southwest Caribbean Islands. It is commonly known as jocote, which is derived from the Nahuatl word 'xocotl', meaning any kind of sour or acidic fruit.

The history of Spondias purpurea dates back to pre-Hispanic times, where it was used by the people of Mexico and Central America (Mesoamerica) for thousands of years. The tree has a wide range of uses, including food, medicine, and construction. The fruits are consumed fresh or used to make juices, jams, and desserts, while the wood is suitable for producing paper. The sap or gum from the tree is used as glue, and a mixture of the sap with sapote or pineapple is used to treat jaundice. Additionally, the tree is also used to create living fences and help stop soil erosion.

Spondias purpurea was introduced to other parts of the world by Spanish explorers during the colonial era. It was brought to the Philippines, where it is known by various names such as 'siniguelas', and later spread to other parts of Southeast Asia and West Africa. Today, Spondias purpurea can be found in tropical regions worldwide, including Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and West Africa.

The tree typically grows in warm tropical climates and can reach heights of up to 15 meters. It has a spreading canopy with branches that tend to extend horizontally. The leaves may be simple, pinnate, or bipinnate, and the flowers are usually pink or red to purple. The fruit is a drupe, oval to oblong in shape, and can be purple, red, orange, yellow, or a combination of these colours when ripe.

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