Belimbing Tanah

Distribution and habitat: 

Tacca integrifolia is a tropical herb with a core distribution in Southeast Asia. In the wild, this plant occurs in the understory of rain forests in deep shade, but in a diversity of soil types. The species is most often found growing in accumulations of decayed organic matter.

The species is native to hilly regions of tropical and subtropical central Asia. It is known from Pakistan, eastern India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and eastern China.^[2] It grows in the understorey of humid rainforests, growing in the leaf litter in shady sites.

Efficacy:

The ground starfruit tree (roots, leaves and fruit) is boiled and the decoction is consumed twice a day to cure hemorrhoids, high blood pressure and diabetes. This decoction is also believed to be effective in treating kidney disease, weak heart and can quench thirst.

Fresh ground starfruit can also be eaten on its own to lower high blood pressure. Black fruit is found to be more effective. This plant is quite popular in the East Coast, Malay Peninsula. The decoction of the roots of this plant is traditionally used to treat high blood pressure, hemorrhoids and also as a bath water for the treatment of women after childbirth, which is to remove wind in the body.

In addition, the decoction of tubers and their roots mixed with black celery tree (Goniothalamus malayanus) is said to be nutritious to strengthen the kidneys. The fronds of the leaves can be used to treat itching on the skin due to exposure to caterpillars.