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<p>Kokum
(Garcinia Indica) is native to India and grows in the Western ghats. It is used
by the people living in the ghats as a medicine and as a spice. The fruit turns from red to deep purple as it ripens, and
is harvested and dried in the spring. The dried rind of the fruit, used as a
culinary and medicinal agent, is almost black in color. It has a sweetish sour
taste with a slightly sweet aroma. Kokum has been used by Ayurvedic
practitioners to treat sores, improve digestion, prevent infection and heal
stomach ulcers. Kokum's major active ingredient is garcinol—a substance that
has antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It seems able
to kill the H. pylori bacteria that cause ulcers. Garcinol promotes brain
health by aiding the growth of neurons while stopping damage from substances
that can oxidize them, and suppresses production of reactive oxygen species
which play a role in cardiovascular disease and it also contains hydroxycitric
acid which is an appetite suppressant. </p>
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