Alibertia edulis
StarAlibertia edulis
Synonyms: Genipa edulis, Amaioua utilis, Amaioua edulis, Cordiera edulis
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
The fruit of marmelinho is widely eaten fresh and made into juices and jams in central Brazil. The plant also has documented folk-medicinal use: a tea of the leaves is taken as a diuretic and antihypertensive, and infusions of the bark and leaves are used by some communities for digestive complaints; pharmacological study has confirmed a marked diuretic action for the species (Vieira et al., 2017).
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Botanical Description
Alibertia edulis, known as marmelinho or marmelada-de-cachorro, is an evergreen, dioecious shrub or small tree of the family Rubiaceae reaching about 7 metres tall, native to tropical America and widespread in the Brazilian Cerrado and associated woodlands. It has light brownish bark and opposite, ovate to elliptic, dark green leaves with smooth margins and prominent venation, with interpetiolar stipules characteristic of the family. The white, tubular flowers are unisexual, the staminate and pistillate borne on separate plants, fragrant and clustered (male) or more solitary (female). The fruit is a globose, berry-like structure crowned by the persistent calyx, ripening to a dark purplish pulp with a sweet-sour flavour and containing several seeds; it is eaten fresh and processed into juices, jams and desserts by local people and is also taken by wildlife. The plant tolerates the seasonally dry, fire-prone, nutrient-poor soils of the Cerrado.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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