Averrhoa bilimbi, also referred to as the cucumber tree or tree sorrel, is a fruit-bearing tree that is common in Goa and may be found in practically every backyard. The luscious, green foliage of these lovely bimbli trees, which have nearly fluorescent colours, give fruits all year round. In backyards, the tree was typically planted close to a well. Going to the well for a soothing bath at the end of a long day was a Goan custom long before indoor restrooms were commonplace. The bimbli tree would eventually establish itself adjacent to this water supply, whether by chance or design, so that it could drink its fill every day and produce ripe fruits.
Bimbli is typically difficult to store because to its high water content and requires a lengthy, though not necessarily laborious procedure of preservation. To remove the moisture, the fruit is cut into quarters lengthwise and generously salted. Then it is allowed to dry more by soaking up the sun. The tart fruit keeps for months when stored in sealed jars, making it ideal for rainy days when the berry is not available but the urge for curry still there.
The procedure is typically done as a family, with all the women gathering to slice, salt, and sun. It is commonly used in lentils, vegetable gravies, and, most notably, prawn curry. Of course, many people pickle them, turn them into chutneys, and keep them for a long time. In addition to the sourness, the bimbli has a distinct essence that gives curries a distinct flavour different from tamarind. It also appears in the popular Goan curry, caldinha. Those who want to add a dash of tang to their curry but don't want the earthy colour of tamarind might do so with slices of bimbli.
The bilimbi plant is often used as a herbal remedy. The leaves, fruit, and flower of the bilimbi plant are used for a variety of uses.
The plant's leaves are used to cure stomachache, rheumatism, and mumps. The plant's fruit is used to treat ulcers, prevent diabetes, whooping cough, and cure acne.
The plant's fruit is used to cure ulcers, prevent diabetes, whooping cough, and clear up acne. The plant's blossom is used to heal mouth sores and coughs.
Other Benefits
Because of the abundance of antioxidants and nutrients in bilimbi fruit, it is an excellent natural medicine for lowering high blood pressure/hypertension. Consuming bilimbi fruit broth reduces high blood pressure in the blood vessels by expanding the veins, capillaries, and arteries and relaxing the heart muscles.
The bilimbi fruit regulates blood sugar levels through the body's insulin action. The bilimbi fruit's high concentration of dietary fibres and flavonoids helps to reduce rapid rises in blood glucose levels after meals, hence it aids in the management of diabetes symptoms.
The amount of vitamin C in the bilimbi plant gives amazing benefits for the immune system's functioning, and as a result, it heals cough and cold caused by seasonal changes and allergies, and it strengthens the body's defence mechanisms.
Terpenes and tannins are anti-inflammatory substances found in the bilimbi plant. It aids in the reduction of swelling in the veins of the anus and rectum, a condition known as haemorrhoids. Furthermore, using a bilimbi plant leaf extract to the affected area reduces discomfort, bleeding, and inflammation, hence correcting haemorrhoids.