A complete review on: Averrhoa carambola

Abstract

Plants are very complex organisms that produce medicinally important natural products. From the centuries, herbal medicines have been used to treat various diseases and now they had become an item of global importance with both medicinal and economic implications. Selecting the right scientific and systematic approach to biological evaluation of plant products, based on their use in traditional medicine is the key to ideal development of new drugs from plants. One such plant is Averrhoa carambola, a multipurpose drought resistant evergreen tree commonly known as ‘kamrakh’ and commonly known as starfruit, because of its peculiar shape. It is used as well-known remedy for the treatment of a number of manifestations in ayurvedic as well as folklore system of medicine and preparation of its fruit and leaves are used to pacify impaired kapha, pitta, skin diseases, pruritis, worm infestations, diarrhea, vomiting, hemorrhoids, intermittent fever, over-perspiration and general debility. It is also a good source of potassium, copper, as well as folate and panthothenic acid. The ascorbic acid levels of the star fruit is believed to be responsible for its sweet or sour taste. It is considered as one of the best Indian cooling medicine. The medicinal properties of Averrhoa carambola includes Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, Hypotensive, Anthelmintic, Antioxidant, Antiulcer, Hypocholesterolemic Hypolipidimic, Antimicrobial and Antitumor activities