Achras zapota Health Dictionary

Linn.

Synonym: Manilkara zapota (Linn.) P. van Royan Manilkara achras (Mill.) Fosberg Sapota achras Mill.

Family: Sapotaceae.

Habitat: Native to Central America. Cultivated chiefly in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

English: Sapota, Sapodilla Plum, Chicle.

Unani: Sapotaa, Cheeku.

Siddha/Tamil: Shimai eluppai.

Action: Fruit—antibilious. Seed— diuretic. Fruit and bark—febrifuge.

The bark contains latex (20-25% of which consists of gutta-percha-like substance); also contains tannin (11.8%). The seeds contain quercitol.

Chewing gum consists of approximately 20% chicle, plus sugar, corn syrup and flavourings.