Kepel

Botanical Name :Stelechocarpus burahol
Family: Annonaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Magnoliales
Genus: Stelechocarpus
Species: S. burahol

Common Names: Kepel, Kepel fruit, Keppel fruit,Burahol or Kepel apple

Habitat: Kepel fruit is native to Southeast Asia, grown only in central Java, Indonesia.This rare fruit can be found at Keraton Jogjakarta area, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Taman Kiai Langgeng Magelang and Kebun Raya Bogor.

Description:
Kepel is a large and erect evergreen tree which measures 25 meters tall with trunk having 40 cm in diameter with dark grey to brown to black and bark is covered with various thick tubercles. Leaves are elliptic oblong to ovate-lanceolate about 12–27 cm × 5–9 cm having distinct mid rib. Flowers are unisexual and green turning whitish and fascicled on tubercles. Male flowers are ramiflorous on older branches measuring 1 cm in diameter having 3 ovate deltoid and obtuse sepals and 7-8 mm long imbricate petals in two whorls of three. Fruits are brownish, sub globose to obovoid, juicy about 5-6 cm in diameter with yellow pulp enclosed with 4 to 6 ellipsoid seeds about 3-3.5 cm long..

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This fruit is an identity flora of Daerah Istimewa Jogjakarta. Stelechocarpus burahol was loved by Javanese princesses because it was a symbol of unity and mental and physical integrity. Because it functioned as a deodorant, many common people did not have this tree planted because they believed they would get cursed. That made this tree rare.

Propagation:
One can propagate S. burahol from the seeds of ripe fruit.

Edible Uses: Fruit pulp is eaten and the fruit is sold in local markets in Java. Ripe fruit is consumed fresh.

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Medicinal Uses: The fruit of this species has traditionally been known in Java to have value as an oral deodorant. Out of the pulp, seed and peel, the peel has the best adsorbent ability. A 2012 study showed that it reduced the odor of feces by activating the probiotic bacteria Bifidobacterium bifidum. Stelechocarpus burahol is also an antihyperuricemic, and has traditionally been used to treat gout.

This fruit was also believed to be used by Javanese princesses as contraception. The fruit is believed to have the function of preventing kidney inflammation. The wood can be made into house tools, the leaves used to lower cholesterol.

Health Benefits:

*The study shows the ability to restore performance of enzyme production in liver and assist in regenerating cells from damaged liver.
*It accelerates the process of cell regeneration in kidneys and prevents kidney cell damage.
*It acts as a remedy for gout.
*It speeds up the process of cell regeneration and also maintains body fitness and keeps person young.
*High content of Vitamin C helps to make skin clean. It cleanses the blood, strengthen liver, kidneys and lungs.

Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stelechocarpus_burahol
https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/burahol/