Photos_Calamanci | Calamondin | Kalamansi

May 25, 2020

Everyone knows the many uses of Calamanci/Calamondin/Kalamansi, what surprises me is how sweet-scented the flowers of Calamansi.

I was fascinated by how fragrant the flowers of the Calamaci tree/plant from our backyard. The odor can be smelled all over the place that gives a different mood to anyone who got a sniff of it. It actually surprises me that its odor is similar to Sampaguita and Gardenia.

Calamansi, also known as calamondin or Philippine lime, is an economically important citrus hybrid predominantly cultivated in the Philippines. It is native to the Philippines and surrounding areas in southern China, Taiwan, Borneo, and Sulawesi. Calamansi is ubiquitous in traditional Filipino cuisine. Wikipedia

Scientific name: × Citrofortunella microcarpa

Family: Rutaceae

Kingdom: Plantae

Rank: Species

Order: Sapindales

Higher classification: Citrofortunella

Properties of Calamanci

- Aromatic, antiseptic, antiphlogistic, carminative, deodorant, refrigerant.

- Studies have suggested antimicrobial, antianxiety, antidepressant, hepatoprotective, expectorant, antioxidant properties.

Parts that can be used

Fruit, leaves, roots.

Uses of Calamanci

There are many uses of Calamansi from its leaves, fruits down to bark, and roots. It is in culinary, health, and many more.

Culinary / Nutrition

It is fairly sour and is a popular seasoning for many local foods.
Served with iced tea, seafood, and meats.
Also used for making juice and marmalade.
Kalamnsi-ade is a rich source of vitamin C
Rind and fruit used as a condiment.

Health

Warm kalamansi-ade drunk for cough, colds, and sore throat.
For nausea and fainting, the rind is squeezed near nostrils to inhale.
Applied externally for itching.
Higaonon tribe of Mindanao uses a decoction of leaves to lower hypertension. Juice from partly roasted fruits used for coughs and colds. (10)
Fruits crushed with a bark of Entada phaseoloides used as hair shampoo, for itching and to stimulate hair growth.
Juice of fruit used for Acne vulgaris and Pruritis vulvae.
In some cases used as an antidote for poison.
A poultice of pandanus leaves, mixed with salt and juice of citrus microcarpa, for abscesses.
Combined with pepper to help expel phlegm.
Root used at childbirth.
Leaf oil used as a carminative, with an effect stronger than peppermint oil.
Fruits crushed with the bark of Entada phaseoloides used as hair shampoo, for itching and to stimulate hair growth.

Others

For an aromatic bath, juice mixed with gogo.
Bleaching agent: Cut fruit and apply directly on freckles.
Stain Remover / Shampoo: Juice is used to remove ink stains from clothes and washing women's hair. Also used for bleaching freckles.
Insect repellent: The Ayta people of Porac, Pampanga burn the leaves as an insect repellent. (16)
Essential oil: Used as an ingredient in the commercial preparation of food, detergents, perfumes, cosmetics, antiseptic, and aromatherapy products.