BIGNAI (Antidesma Bunuis (L) Spreng)

pictures taken from www.google.com

Origin:
the BIGNAI tree was origin in native of India, and its is more popular in its second home in Indonesia and Malaysia. this tree is an evergreen, with wide, dark green glossy, leathery leaves, the reddish flowers are tiny. Male and female flowers are produced on separate trees.
Bignai tree is a small in a height of about 10 m, and diameter of about 40 cm. The bark is dark brown. This tree forms a dense crown. The leaves are simple, alternate, dark green, shiny on the upper surface, small, 8 -10 in length and generally oblong.

Medicinal Use:
• The leaves of the bignay are used in the treatment of snakebite.
• The leaves of BIGNAI TREE are acidic and diaphoretic (having the power to increase perspiration). Young leaves are boiled with pot-herbs and used by the natives in syphilitic infections.

Culinary uses:
• Ripened fruit is eaten raw / fresh
• Taken as juice
• The juice makes syrup and has been successfully fermented into wine and brandy.
• it si used in preparation of sauce for fish dishes.
• It makes an excellent jam and wine.
• Young leaves are edible and eaten with rice

Other Uses:
• The bark contains a strong fiber which is used for making ropes.
• The reddish, hard wood has been experimented with to make cardboard.

Caution:
• The bark is poisonous, it contains alkaloid.