The King Of Fruits
Compiled by the Weekly
Some medicinal properties of the durian
Durian, Durio zibethinus, is considered a specialty of and the “king” of fruits in Southeast Asia. The fruit has a hard, prickly rind and a soft pulp with an offensive odor but a pleasant taste.
The edible flesh emits a distinctive odor. Some people regard the durian as fragrant; others find the aroma overpowering and offensive. The flesh can be used to flavor a wide variety of savory and sweet edibles in Southeast Asian cuisines. The seeds can also be eaten when cooked.
Durian fruit contains a high amount of sugar, vitamin C, potassium, carbohydrates, protein, fats and tryptophan, an amino acid. In traditional medicine, the durian is considered to have warming properties liable to cause excessive sweating, so pregnant women and those with high blood pressure are advised not to consume the fruit.
In Vietnam, many parts of the durian tree and fruit are used as food and remedies. Apart from a widely favorite fruit, its flesh has long been used to make refreshing beverages, preserves, candies and sweet soups. Its cooked seeds are good for the spleen and kidneys.
Remedies
As durian is believed to have aphrodisiac qualities, squeeze 50 grams of durian flesh with 20 grams of sugar or a corresponding amount of honey, then add 100ml of water to the mixture. Drink the solution two times a day, within 10 days, to treat impotence.
Or, fry a pig’s kidney (sliced) with 200 grams of durian flesh and add spices. Eat the dish hot once a day; repeat five times to intensify the functioning of the kidneys and sexuality for both men and women.
You can also stew durian seeds with goat meat and eat the dish now and then to boost the functioning of the kidneys and sexuality.
Boil 20 grams of durian rind with three bowls of water until you have just one bowl. Drink the solution two times a day to treat diarrhea.
Boil 30-40 grams of durian leaves and roots and drink the broth during the day to relieve flu and fever, and cure hepatitis.
Or, boil 10-16 grams of durian leaves with 600ml of water to have 200ml of the broth. Drink the solution two times a day to treat liver inflammation.