The fruit Wampee was originated from China. It is a fast-growing tree that requires a subtropical or tropical climate. Moreover, the tree does well in rich loam soil. The tree thrives best in Southern China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Florida, Hawaii, and the Philippines. The leaves in a tree are grey to brown in color. The flexible branches are not weak. Fruits are orange to yellow which turns to grayish-yellow in an apple shape when matured.
Wampee Quick Facts
Name:
Wampee
Scientific Name:
Clausena lansium
Origin
Native to Southern China: Fujian, Guangxi, Guangdong, South Guizhou, Sichuan, Hainan, South East Yunnan and North or Central Vietnam.
Colors
Pale green to pale yellow or brownish yellow (Fruit)
Shapes
Globose, ellipsoid, broadly ovoid berry; 1.5-3 × 1-2 cm (Fruit)
Clausena lansium is a plant species in the family Rutaceae, native to Southern China: Fujian, Guangxi, Guangdong, South Guizhou, Sichuan, Hainan, South East Yunnan, and North or Central Vietnam. The fruit was introduced to Southeast Asia such as Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore. It is rarely cultivated in India, Australia, Sri Lanka, the United States, and Central America. Common names in English include Fool’s Curry Leaf, Wampi, Wampee, huang pi and Chinese clausena.
WAMPEE FACTS
Name
Wampee
Scientific Name
Clausena lansium
Native
Native to Southern China: Fujian, Guangxi, Guangdong, South Guizhou, Sichuan, Hainan, South East Yunnan, and North or Central Vietnam.
Common/English Name
Fool’s Curry Leaf, Wampi, Wampee, Huang pi, Chinese clausena
It is an evergreen shrub or small tree which is cultivated as an ornamental plant and for its edible fruits. The fruits are pale yellow or brownish yellow which is available from May to July. The barks are rough and grey-brown. The flowers are pentamerous and sweet-scented which are available in Late March. The varieties of Wampee include Niu Shen, Yuan Chung, Yeh Sheng, Suan Tsao, Hsiao Chi Hsien, Chi Hsin, and Kua Pan. It prefers subtropical to tropical climates and does well in rich, well-drained, and loamy soils.
History
In Vietnam and Southern China, Wampee was cultivated for centuries. Recently, since the 1700s, it was cultivated in other regions of Southeast Asia. It is common in Vietnam, China, India, and Ceylon. The wampee is inherent to and usually cultivated in Southern China and North to Central Vietnam. Before 1837, it was cultivated in the Philippines and got reintroduced in 1912. It is rarely cultivated in Ceylon and India. It is grown finitely in Queensland, Hawaii, and Australia. In 1908, it was regarded to have been cultivated in the Hawaiian Gardens. In 1908, it reached Florida as an unknown species. Since that time, Wampee is cultivated rarely or under cultivated in South Florida. The seed was obtained by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1914 from Canton and Hawaii in 1917 and 1922 respectively. In 1913, it was developed in Jamaica.
Plant
Clausena magnesium is a small tree growing to 3-12 m tall with a trunk diameter of 40 cm. The dark green leaves are arranged spirally, pinnate; 10-30 cm long having elliptic or elliptic to ovate, seven to fifteen leaflets. The flowers are globose, 14 mm across, and their color ranges from white to yellow to green. The fruit is a globose, ellipsoid, and broadly ovoid berry with colors ranging from pale green to pale yellow or brownish yellow of size 1.5-3 × 1-2 cm. Fruits have thin and soft peel with inside flesh yellowish-white, mucilaginous and juicy. The flesh tastes sweet and slightly acidic. The flesh of the fruit holds about one to five bright greens of 10-15 mm long.
Nutritional Value
In a serving size of 100 grams: 55 calories, 84 g of moisture, 0.9 g of protein, 0.1 g of total fat, 0.9 g of ash, 14.1 g of carbohydrate, and 0.8 g of dietary fiber are found. The same amount grants 148 mg of Vitamin C, 3.3 mg of Vitamin B3, 14.1 mg of carbohydrate, 0.11 mg of Vitamin B2, 281 mg of potassium, 19 mg of phosphorus, 0.8 g of dietary fiber, 0.9 g of protein, 0.02 mg of Vitamin B1, 15 mg of Calcium and 0.1 mg of lipid fat.
Nutritional value of Wampee fruit pulp
Serving Size: 100 g
Calories 55 Kcal.Calories from Fat 0.9 Kcal.
Proximity
Amount
% DV
Water
84 g
N/D
Energy
55 Kcal
N/D
Protein
0.9 g
1.80%
Total Fat (lipid)
0.1 g
0.29%
Ash
0.9 g
N/D
Carbohydrate
14.1 g
10.85%
Total dietary Fiber
0.8 g
2.11%
Minerals
Amount
% DV
Calcium, Ca
15 mg
1.50%
Phosphorus, P
19 mg
2.71%
Potassium, K
281 mg
5.98%
Vitamins
Amount
% DV
Water-soluble Vitamins
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
0.02 mg
1.67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
0.11 mg
8.46%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
3.3 mg
20.63%
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
148 mg
164.44%
*Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not rxharun.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weigh 194 lbs. Source: https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/
Health Benefits of Wampee
Wampee is loaded with numerous health benefits though it is not widely known. It possesses various antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic and anticancer properties. Some health benefits are described below:
Vasodilator activity
Vitamin C assists in the dilation of blood vessels properly in the conditions of atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, and angina pectoris. The results show that Vitamin C supplements enhance the dilation of blood vessels and prevent cardiovascular conditions.
Reduce hypertension
Hypertension patients have an increased chance of cardiovascular ailments. For this, the proper and adequate intake of Vitamin C is essential because it helps to lower the blood pressure of the body.
Treats cataracts
Cataracts are eye ailments or visual problems. People with cataracts have a deficiency of Vitamin C in the lens of the human eye. The high intake of Vitamin C enhances the supply of blood to the ocular areas of the body.
Balance cholesterol level
The high intake of Vitamin B3 helps to lower the level of bad cholesterol and increase the good cholesterol level which helps to prevent the thickening of walls of arteries and also the conditions such as atherosclerosis.
Water-soluble vitamin
Vitamin B3 flows through the stream of human blood and the body eliminates the presence of excess vitamins in the form of urination. The body requires a continual supply of this vitamin which could be obtained through liquid and food.
Treats diabetes
Vitamin B3 helps to treat diabetes and high level of blood sugar. Vitamin B3 helps to control HBA1C levels effectively.
Provides energy
Vitamin B2 has a vital role in the formation of energy as it assists in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the body.
Nervous system
Vitamin B2 treats nervous system ailments such as Alzheimer’s disease, numbness, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy. When Vitamin B6 is used with riboflavin then it helps to treat the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Reproduction and growth
Vitamin B2 is essential for the proper development and growth of reproductive organs and body tissues such as connective tissues, skin, mucous membranes, eyes, immune system, and nervous system. Moreover, it promotes skin, hair, and nail health.
Contraction of muscles
It plays a vital role in the contraction of muscles. An adequate amount of potassium is essential for the regular relaxation and contraction of muscles. The potassium irons are found in the muscle cells of the human body. It maintains the function of nerves and muscles and also makes the reflexes fast because it promotes the neural connectivity of the brain and muscles. (1)
Traditional uses
The leaves, roots, and unripe fruits are used in folkloric medicine.
In China and Malaysia, the leaves are used to treat asthma, coughs, dermatological diseases, and hepatitis.
The dried unripe fruits and sliced roots are used as an aid for bronchitis.
Ripe fruits possess stomachic and cooling effects.
The leaves, seeds, and fruits are used to treat gastrointestinal ailments such as ulcers and chronic inflammation.
The roots are used in Taiwan to cure malaria and bronchitis.
The leaf decoction is used in Vietnam to cure dandruff and protect the hair color.
In the Philippines, the fruit is used for indigestion, stomach upsets, coughs, colds, influenza, and abdominal colic pains.
Traditional Chinese Medicine uses the leaves for asthma, cough, viral hepatitis, gastrointestinal and dermatological diseases.
In China, this plant is used in folk medicines to treat chronic and acute viral hepatitis.
The seed extracts possess antifungal and human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase inhibitory properties.
About 15-30 grams of dried leaves should be used in decoction for the treatment of colds, influenza, and malaria.
About 9-15 grams of drupe should be used in decoction for gastric pains and abdominal colic pains.
The fruit extracts help to reduce tumefaction (swelling) and inflammation.
As shown in the study, it also treats Parkinson’s disease.
The leaf decoction reduces the growth of cancer cells.
How to Eat
Wampee is consumed fresh or added to gelatins, fruit cups, and desserts.
The fruit is used to make jellies, pies, and jams.
In China, the fruit is consumed fresh or served with meat dishes or preserves.
In Vietnam and Southeast Asia, the fruit is fermented with sugar and strained to make a carbonated beverage or champagne.
In Thailand, dried Wampee is widely popular.
The juice is used in salad dressings and marinades.
It is added to sorbets and recipes.
Wampee is warmed, barbequed, steamed, simmered, and baked.
