History
Coco plum (Chrysobalanus icaco) is a small fruit from 1 to 3 cm and is native to tropical America. It arrived in the Caribbean with the Arawaks from the north of South America and spread to different parts of the island. Arawak women called the tree Icacou. It is also called plum cotton because of its pulp-like cotton.
Thereafter, the Carib Indians knew the coco plum tree with which they made torches. Father Labat reported that the astringent fruit was used against "stomach disease and blood flow". For this, we prepared a paste of crushed almonds and orange blossom water.
The decoction of the roots, flowers, and bark was described as anti-leucorrhoea, and the leaves were administered against sore throats and in enema against intestinal disorders. The decoction of the leaves or roots was also used to tighten the female organs and simulate virginity.
Varieties
There are several varieties of coco plums. It can be found with almost dark red or pink skin, green skin or a-dark blue skin. If the first two are the most common in Martinique, the latter variety is much rarer or almost non-existent.
Inside the coco plum, his cottony white edible pulp is surrounded by a large nucleus. It is found on the island from May to September generally. The species are native to the coastal regions of southern Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. It is also found in Central and South America, including Mexico, Ecuador, northern Brazil and tropical Africa.
Health benefits
The coco plum tree is mainly described as anti-diarrheal and dysentery. The bark infusion is taken as an excellent remedy against dysentery and rebels diarrhea.
Uses
Coco plum be eaten raw with the skin that can not be peeled or candied in sugar.
