Aleurites moluccanus, the candlenut, is a flowering tree in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, also known as candleberry, Indian walnut, kemiri, varnish tree, nuez de la India, buah keras, godou, kukui nut tree, and rata kekuna.

The candlenut grows to a height of up to 30 m (98 ft), with wide-spreading or pendulous branches. The leaves are pale green, simple, and ovate or heart-shaped on mature shoots, but maybe three-, five-, or seven-lobed on saplings.^[rx] They are up to 20 cm (7.9 in) long and 13 cm (5.1 in) wide and young leaves are densely clothed in rusty or cream stellate hairs. Petioles measure up to 12.5 cm (4.9 in) long and stipulate about 5 mm (0.20 in).^{[rx ]}

Flowers are small—male flowers measure around 5 mm (0.20 in) in diameter, female flowers about 9 mm (0.35 in).^[rx] The fruit is a drupe about 4–6 cm (1.6–2.4 in) in diameter with one or two lobes; each lobe has a single soft, white, oily, kernel contained within a hard shell which is about 2 cm (0.79 in) in diameter.^[5] The kernel is the source of Candlenut oil.^[rx]

Candlenut (also known as Aleurites Moluccanus) is actually a flowering tree in the genus Aleurites belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. The genus contains two species: A. moluccanus (L.) Willd and Aleurites rockinghamensis (Baill.) P.I.Forst. The plant is native to the Indo-Malaysia region.  They are grown largely in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Queensland as well as some parts of Australia. It is also commonly known as Indian walnut, Candleberry, Candlenut, Candlenut-tree, Kukui, Lumbangtree, Varnishtree, Bankul nut tree, Indonesian walnut, Kukui nut, Moluccan oil tree, Tallow tree, Buah Keras, Tung-nut, Otaheite walnut, Balucanat, and Belgaum walnut. Genus name comes from the Greek word aleuron meaning floury in reference to the white flour-like dusting present on juvenile leaves. Specific epithet means from the Moluccas (aka Spice Islands) located in eastern Indonesia which is part of the native habitat for this tree.

Plant Description

Candlenut is a medium-sized, perennial, evergreen, upper-canopy tree that grows about 10–47 m tall. The plant thrives best in a warm, humid tropical environment. It is common in wet secondary forests at the margins or along streams and along the seashore. It will also thrive in a semi-dry to wet subtropical forest climate and in areas. Candlenut trees grow on a wide variety of soils which includes acidic soils, sandy soils, red loamy soils, limestone, and stony clay soils. They are not fond of alkaline soils. However, they can tolerate soils that are neutral to slightly alkaline. The soil should be moist and well-drained. These trees also have a good tolerance for infertile soils. The plant has straight and cylindrical bole and can be up to 70 – 150 cm in diameter. The bark is grey-brown to blackish colored.

Leaves

The leaves are very distinctively shaped but also quite variable in gross morphology. Young leaves and leaves on lower branches are often three-lobed or five-lobed, while older leaves and those on higher branches tend to be a simpler triangular or oval shape. They are typically 10–20cm long with wavy margins and are arranged alternately. Where the leaf stalk joins the blade of the leaf, there are a pair of glands that produce a sweet secretion. The petioles are almost 30 centimeters in length. The leaves have a pale green coloration.

Flowers

The inflorescence is around 10 to 20 centimeters in length. They have an upper axillary or terminal and thyrsoid arrangement. The unisexual flowers are white in color. The female flowers are found on the ultimate branchlets of cymes. The smaller male flowers are arranged all around the female flowers in groups. The sepal is comprised of 2 or 3 lobes at the anthesis. The male flowers are comprised of 5 lance-shaped petals around 6 to 7 mm in length and almost 10 to 20 stamens. The petals are larger in the female flowers, around 9 or 10 mm.

Nuts

A fruit is a round nut that is 4 to 6 centimeters in diameter. They have a hard shell covering which is green or brown in color. Inside the hard shell, there is the whitish flesh or pulp. Single nuts grow on stout stalks. The nuts contain one or two seeds.

Seeds

Soft, elliptical, cream-colored seeds are found inside the nut. The seed coats covering the seeds are very hard. The length of each seed is around 2.5 centimeters. The seeds are filled with rich contents of inflammable oil that enables the seeds to burn like candles. The seed shells are white in color which turns black as they mature.

History

The tree is probably native to a vast region from India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia to northern Australia. The exact origin of this tree is unknown because of its early spread by humans. The plant is often cultivated throughout tropical Asia and Oceania as an ornamental plant.

Health benefits of Candle nuts

Candlenut tree has both medicinal as well as edible uses. They are quite popular due to their culinary uses. The high oil content in the nuts makes them suitable for edible uses. It is generally used to thicken Asian dishes. The oils may also be used as lamp oil to be used as a source of light. Listed below are a few of the health benefits of candlenuts

1. Improved Digestive System

Candlenuts are excellent sources of fiber, and that’s why their inclusion in the diet can be very beneficial for the GI tract. Regular use of these tree nuts can help facilitate the digestive process. Consuming them on a regular basis also helps promote regular bowel movement because the oils they contain serve as mild laxatives.

Traditional healers recommend candlenuts to individuals who are suffering from diarrhea? because its fiber content can help in adding bulk to stools, therefore putting an end to diarrhea. Candlenuts also has antimicrobial properties, and it’s no secret that most cases of diarrhea are due to the ingestion of contaminated food and water. By the way, another traditional use of candlenuts is for the treatment of dysentery.

2. Relieve of Fungal? Infections

Fungal? infections maybe not be dangerous, but they will make sufferers uncomfortable and not confident. To relieve it, you need to put the candlenut’s oil on the part of your body with fungal infections. Do it regularly to make the results optimal.

3. Reduced Heart Disease Risk

Candlenuts are very beneficial for people whose cholesterol? levels are outside of the normal and healthy range because these tree nuts help increase the levels of good cholesterol (HDL or high-density lipoprotein) and in the process lowering the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL or low-density lipoprotein).

One of the many nutrients in candlenuts is potassium, which is well-known for its ability to lower high blood pressure. The way potassium works are this: it causes the relaxation of the walls of the blood vessels, allowing the blood to flow more freely throughout your system. This helps save the heart from being overworked and becoming large.

4. Overcome Insomnia

Insomnia is some kind of sickness that makes you not sleep well. It is caused by depression, a lot of thinking, a fear of something. But with candlenut, you can overcome it. Because candlenut has melatonin that will make you relax and quickly fall asleep. This is good for people with bad insomnia.

5. Treat Sprue

Sap in the bark can benefit in health as treat of sprue. One thing that you need is sap from the bark of the candlenut’s tree. To get the sap, you need to do this: rip off the skin of the bark and wait until the sap has shown up. After the sap has shown up, put it with cotton and give some coconut milk. Now you have a herbal treat of sprue. Apply it on the part of your mouth that has sprue.

6. Unleash the Constipation?

Constipation? always happens when someone usually less eats fibrous food. But don’t worry. One of the candlenut benefits is to solve about it. Take 1 piece of candlenut, 2 onions, 5 grams of pulsars, 10 grams of cinnamon, 30 grams of urang-aring leaves, half a teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of fennel, 800 ccs of water. Blend all the ingredients (without 800 ccs of water) until smooth. Second, boil all the ingredients with 800 cc of water. Boil it until volume at least 400 ccs. Filter it and put it in the glass. Drink it twice a day, and drink as much as 200 cc per one drink.

7. Medicine Fever? in Children

If your child gets a fever?, take 15 grams of pulutan’s root, and some candlenut’s oil, it can down fever. What you need are 15 grams of pulutan’s root, some candlenut’s oil, a pan, some water, and a glass. First, boil all the ingredients, 15 grams of pulutan’s root and some candlenut’s oil, with water. After that, filter it and put it in a glass. And ready to drink.

8. Healthier Joints and Stronger Bones

Regular consumption of candlenuts helps save the joints from becoming achy and swollen due to regular wear and tear. Including candlenuts in the diet more often is also good for keeping the bones strong. According to nutrition experts, phosphorous, which can be found in candlenuts, is also vital for it.

9. Treat Tooth Ache

Candlenut’s sap helps to treat toothache too. Just like before, you need the stem from the bark. The first is to rip off the skin of the bark and wait until the sap has shown up. After the sap has shown up, put the sap with cotton. Apply it on the tooth which has a toothache. Let it on the tooth until 10 minutes. After it, replace it with the new one.

10. Bigger Muscles and Reduced Weight

Candlenuts contain heavy amounts of protein. It’s exactly for this reason why consuming them can help in building muscles.

Candlenuts are certainly ideal for people who are trying to lose weight due to the muscle-building protein that these tree nuts have — the bigger the muscles, the faster the metabolism. Additionally, protein is something that causes the body to burn lots of calories as it can be extra challenging for the GI tract to have it digested.

11. Heals Insect bites

Itchy insect bites can be cured by candlenut. Take 2 pieces of candlenut and turmeric with size as big as pinkie fingers. Tools in use are baker, mortar, and pestle. First, bake the ingredients. After that, mash it up until smooth. Then put it on the part of your body that was itchy caused by an insects bite.

Traditional uses and benefits of Candlenuts

• Candlenut has been extensively used in folk medicine for the treatment of ulcers, headaches, fevers, diarrhea?, and hypercholesterolemia.
• The kernel has been used as a laxative and in poultices for headaches, fevers, ulcers, swollen joints, and constipation? in traditional medicine in the south and Southeast Asia.
• Pulverized kernels, burnt with charcoal, were applied around the navel for costiveness in Sumatra.
• It is used for stomachache in Celebes.
• The pulverized kernel was used as poultices for headaches, fevers, ulcers, and swollen joints in Malaysia.
• Bark has been used for dysentery and decoction of leaves for treating Scrophularia and boiled leaves used externally for pain? in the head or upper neck. সহজ বাংলা: মাথাব্যথা।" data-rx-term="headache" data-rx-definition="Headache means pain in the head or upper neck. সহজ বাংলা: মাথাব্যথা।">headache? and gonorrhea.
• Bark was used as a remedy for dysentery (diarrhea? with blood) in Java.
• Bark has been used on tumors in Japan.
• Flowers and the sap at the top of the husk were used to treat oral candidiasis in children in Hawaii.
• Reported candlenut oil uses include as a mild purgative, as an embrocation for pain? traveling along the sciatic nerve, often from lower back to leg. সহজ বাংলা: কোমর থেকে পায়ে নামা নার্ভের ব্যথা।" data-rx-term="sciatica" data-rx-definition="Sciatica means pain traveling along the sciatic nerve, often from lower back to leg. সহজ বাংলা: কোমর থেকে পায়ে নামা নার্ভের ব্যথা।">sciatica?, and treatment against hair loss.
• Javanese used the oil to stimulate hair growth.
• Candlenut oil has also been used as a remedy for worms and piles.
• Oil has a mild aperient action like castor oil.
• Oil has been used as a dressing for ulcers in India.
• Seeds were also used as a mild purgative in the Philippines.
• Seeds are applied externally to the male genitals as a contraceptive in Papua New Guinea.
• Leaves are used to treat constipation? and food poisoning.
• Decoction of the leaves is used in treating coughs, diarrhea?, pains in the chest, and hernia.
• An infusion of the leaves is used as a lotion or is ingested for mouth infections of infants.
• Boiled leaves are used as a poultice to treat headaches and gonorrhea.

Culinary Uses

• Candlenut is an important spice in Indonesian and Malaysian cuisine.
• Kernels are eaten when thoroughly dry or after roasting to destroy mild toxins.
• Kernels are commonly used in curries; nut is also roasted and eaten as a snack or added to desserts, cakes, and pies.
• It is used to make a thick spicy sauce that is eaten with rice and vegetables in Java.
• Residual oil cake is processed into a snack food called ‘ dage kemiri’ in Indonesia.
• Roasted kernels are mixed into a paste with salt, seaweed, or chili pepper to make the condiment cinnamon, a key ingredient in traditional Hawaiian pokes in Hawaii.

Plant Parts Used

Almost all parts of the candlenut tree are useful for human use. Oil in candlenuts can be used to burn them like candles. The candlenut can also be used to prepare sweet-scented oils that are particularly useful for the skin. The flowers, shells, and leaves of the tree are used to make garlands. In Java, a thick satay sauce is prepared from candlenuts that are eaten with rice and vegetables. The tree bark can be used to make a red-brown dye as well.

Other Facts

• Pacific Islanders, namely Fijians, Hawaiians, Tahitians, and others have been reported to use the acrid juice of the fruit wall and charred nuts for tattooing.
• Tongans used pulverized kernels in a paste as soap and shampoo.
• Nuts have been used as toys such as marbles and tops.
• Crushed kernels have been used mixed with other ingredients as fish bait.
• The shells, which can be polished to a high luster, are fashioned into earrings and other costume jewelry.
• The shells of the nuts, flowers, and leaves have been used for leis in Hawaii.
• Nut in association with an iron nail and cockle shells have been used in social ceremonies when the new rice was dried in Malaysia.
• Candlenut, leaves of Bryophyllum, cockle shells, and iron nails were put into water for bathing an infant suffering from fever? in Malaysia.
• Candlenut oil has been used for various purposes, such as for the preparation of paints, varnishes, wood polish, and linoleum, for illumination, soap manufacture, cosmetics, and wood preservation, preservation of fishing nets, and in the batik industry.
• Candlenut oil used in combination with coconut oil has been used for skin and hair treatment.
• After the removal of the oil, the remaining seed cake has been used for cattle fodder and as fertilizers.
• Roots provide a red dye for tapa cloth, Kapa, and aho cordage in Polynesia.
• Wood is also made into light furniture, small boats, canoes, small utensils, fuel-wood, and matches and is also suitable for paper pulp.
• Candlenut oil is used to make massage oil for a certain kind of pain? in the head or upper neck. সহজ বাংলা: মাথাব্যথা।" data-rx-term="headache" data-rx-definition="Headache means pain in the head or upper neck. সহজ বাংলা: মাথাব্যথা।">headache? (possibly caused by meningitis) in the Cook Islands and Tahiti.
• Flowers, shells, and leaves of these trees are used to make garlands.
• Red-brown dye is manufactured from the bark and used in Kapa and aho.
• A coating of candlenut oil is applied to the fishing nets to preserve them.
• Candlenut tree wood is used for making canoes, gunwales, and seats.
• Candlenuts are also used in the funerary rituals of Tonga.
• Candlenut is used for making several sweet-scented oils that can be applied to the skin.
• Agronomy fairmairei larvae eat the deadwood of these trees.
• Candlenut oil is used to make a type of varnish.
• The Candlenut tree is considered to be a symbol of enlightenment, protection, and peace in Hawaii.
• On May 1st, 1959, Candlenut was declared as the state tree of Hawaii due to its numerous uses.

Precautions

• Raw candlenuts can be toxic as they contain saponins and phorbol.
• The fresh seed contains a principle resembling croton oil and should not be eaten.
• The nut should not be eaten raw as the toxin in the oil can induce nausea? and vomiting?.

References