– Description:
– Tree can grow up to 25–30 meters in height
– Seeds are the size of a fingertip
– Seeds have a brown, coarse-textured skin
– Common names for the malva nut:
– Lao: ໝາກຈອງ /mȁːk cɔːŋ/
– Chinese: 胖大海; pàngdàhǎi
– Vietnamese: hạt lười ươi; đười ươi
– Khmer: សំរង
– Marathi: निरंजन फळ Niranjan Phal
– Culinary and medicinal use of the nuts:
– Used in traditional medicine like Ayurveda and Chinese medicine
– Treats gastrointestinal disorders and soothes the throat
– Popular non-timber forest product in Laos
– Second-largest export crop in Laos after coffee
– Contains bio-active alkaloid called sterculinine
– Malva nuts in soups and desserts:
– Flesh swells to eight times its volume when soaked
– Used in drinks with sugar, ice, and basil seeds in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia
– Used in sweet soups similar to Chinese tong sui
– In China, used to make herbal teas with sugar, dates, and other ingredients
– Herbal teas believed to reduce bodily heat and improve health
– Malva nuts in traditional Chinese medicine:
– Removes heat from the lung and cures sore throats
– Counteracts toxicity and moistens the bowels
– Treats symptoms like hoarseness, dry cough, sore throat, and constipation
– Should be consumed carefully to avoid side effects
– Excessive consumption can cause watery phlegm, nausea, and other issues