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Botany
A smooth and slightly
spiny plant, growing to a height of 3 to 5 meters. Leaflets are elliptic
to oblong-elliptic, 4 to 8 cm long. Petioles are narrowly and scarcely
winged, about a cm long. Flowers are axillary, solitary, rarely in pairs,
white, and short-stalked. Fruit is yellow when ripe, nearly spherical,
2 to 3.5 cm diameter, 6- to 7-celled, and thin-skinned. The skin or
peel is green to yellowish green or yellow, loosely adhering to the
flesh. The flesh contains a few light orange seeds.
Distribution
Widely cultivated in the
Philippines. The species is native to the Philippines.
Constituents
Fruit: volatile oil, 0.9
to 1.06%.
Rind: Aldehydes; sesquiterpenes; beta-pinene; linalool; linalyl acetate;
tannin; glucoside; cyanogenetic substances.
Properties
Antiseptic, antiphlogistic,
carminative, deodorant, refrigerant.
Parts used and preparation
Fruit
Uses
Culinary and nutrition
It is fairly sour and
is a popular seasoning for many local food.
Also used for making juice and marmalade.
Kalamnsi-ade a source of vitamin C
Condiment: Use rind and fruit.
Folkloric
Aromatic bath: Mix juice with gogo.
Cough, colds and sore throat: Drink warm kalamansi-ade.
Nausea and fainting: Squeeze rind near nostril to inhale.
Applied externally for itching.
In Malaysia, used as an antidote for poison.
Poultice of pandanus leaves, mixed with salt and juice of citrus microcarpa,
for abscesses.
In Malaya, combined with pepper to help
expel phlegm.
Root used at childbirth.
Others
Aromatic
Bleaching agent: Cut fruit and apply directly on freckles.
Juice is used to remove ink stains from clothes and washing women's
hair.
Fruits crushed with bark of Entada phaseoloides used as hair shampoo,
for itching and to stimulate hair growth. (Link)
Studies
• Antimicrobial properties of tropical plants
against 12 pathogenic bacteria isolated from aquatic organisms:
A study on the antibacterial activity of 9 tropical plants against 12
clinical and pathogenic bacterial strains including Vibrio cholera,
Escherichia coli, Vibro parahemolytics, Salmonella and Streptococcus
sp. showed activity against one or more species of bacteria. Citrus
microcarpa was one of the most active.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
Perennial market produce.
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