Monkey pot is a common name for many tropical trees in the genus Lecythis of the family Lecythidaceae and the fruits produced by these trees, particularly Lecythis dollars of Brazil and Lecythis zabucajo of northeastern South America. The nuts of most Lecythis species are edible.^[1] The name is said to derive from an old proverb, “a wise old monkey doesn’t stick its hand into a pot”, referring to the pot-like fruit that holds the seeds, and monkeys’ eagerness to obtain the seeds. Supposedly young monkeys would stick their paw into an almost ripe fruit and would be unable to get it back out for their paws were filled with nuts, while old monkeys would learn it was better to be patient and pull out the nuts one by one.^[rx] The fruit is coconut-sized and roundish, and woody, with a cap that pops off when it reaches maturity. Inside the fruit are anywhere from eight to 40 seeds, which eventually fall from the woody capsule after a period of time.^[rx][rx]

Lecythis Pisoni is a nut-producing tree native to Amazonia and Brazil that belongs to the Lecythidaceae family. Lecythis Pisonis is called Cream Nut, Paradise Nut, Monkey Pot, and Sapucaia Nut. Monkey pot is a large, deciduous tree that grows upto 40-50 cm in height. The tree has fissured and greyish to dark brown bark. Leaves are pinkish to red, cream, or pale green. The lamina is simple, ovate-elliptic, petiole 5 to 12 mm. The tree bears flowers of six rose to purple petals which is obovate and 3-7 cm across. The flowers turn into woody, globose, oblong, or turbinate fruit of 6-15 cm (2.4 to 5.9 inches) long and 8.5-30 cm (3.3-11.8 inches) wide. Each fruit possesses 10-30 red or brown seeds of elliptical and 5 cm (2.0 inches) long.

Nutritional Value

100 grams of Monkey pot grants 645.05 calories, 5.4 gm of moisture, 20.47 gm of protein, 60.61 gm of total fat, 3.8 gm of ash, 5.67 gm of dietary fiber and 4.42 gm of sugars. The same amount offers 32.5 mg of tryptophan, 32.76 ug of copper, 80.69 ug of manganese, 113.8 mg of leucine, 62 mg of valine, 82.1 mg of lysine, 34.4 mg of threonine, 29.5 mg of isoleucine, 19.3 mg of histidine, 32.65 ug of iron, 40.37 ug of zinc, 60.61 g of total fat, 20.47 g of protein and 5.67 g of dietary fiber.

Health Benefits of Monkey pot

Monkey pot contains enormous amounts of nutrients, minerals, and amino acids which provide various health benefits which are described below:

1. Treat arthritis

Copper possesses an anti-inflammatory property that helps to reduce arthritis symptoms. People wear copper bracelets to treat this health condition. Copper is an aid for arthritis. The copper is stored in the water the whole night and drinks water in the morning to strengthen the muscular system. It provides energy and boosts metabolism which is required for regular processes. (1)

2. Eyes and hair pigmentation

Copper has an important role in the melanin, dark pigment which provides the color to the hair, skin, and eyes. Cuproenzyme is derived from copper which is required to produce melanin by the melanocytes that are possible in the presence of tyrosinase. The adequate intake of copper prevents the hair from graying and prevents the integrity of the cell which provides young-looking skin. It maintains the eye’s color which is required with zinc. (2)

3. Maintains the level of sugar

Manganese helps to control the sugar level in the human blood. It prevents the development of diabetes. Manganese helps to normalize the secretion and synthesis of insulin which helps to control the sugar level in the blood. It prevents unpredictable drops in blood sugar. (3)

4. Thyroid function

Manganese is vital for thyroxine which is considered an essential hormone in the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland and the hormonal synthesis should function properly so that it helps to treat the appetite, weight loss, efficiency of an organ system, and metabolism. (4)

5. Transports oxygen

Iron helps to transport the oxygen throughout the body from one cell to another so that each body part would be able to function effectively. It is considered as the essential function performed by iron. Each organ in the body needs oxygen to perform its daily functions effectively. (5)

6. Treats fatigue

Iron helps to eliminate the chronic or unexplained fatigue which may develop in both women and men. The fatigue is caused due to the deficiency of iron which plays a vital role in the formation of hemoglobin. The addition of iron to the diet helps to make the body fit, healthy and also provides energy externally as well as internally. (6)

7. Cognitive health

The research shows that zinc has a powerful impact on mental functions. If taken with Vitamin b6, it promotes the neurotransmitter functions which are required for communication with the body. It is available in the hippocampus in high amounts that help to control memory and thought. Extra zinc is required to make the effective brain function for those who have experienced an injury as the body diverts zinc naturally to the other parts to heal. (7)

8. Assist in losing weight

Zinc has a vital role in losing weight. Zinc helps to reduce appetite and prevents overeating. It is associated with zinc’s manipulation of ghrelin hormone which transfers the body when it wants to eat. (8)

9. Immune health

Protein is required to build immune health. The body prevents diseases and infections with the assist of antibodies. The antibodies are able to detect the antigens. With the production of antibodies, the body responds to antigens and eliminates them. (9)

10. Regeneration of tissue and cells

The restoration and renewal of tissues and cells are essential to maintain health. The body needs a fixed supply of amino acids to form the proteins that produce the new tissues and cells such as hair, nails, and skin. The cells in the skin, digestive system, and blood only last for a couple of weeks which begins to perish after that. This is the time for the replenishment of new cells to replace the reduced ones. The revival of new tissues and cells helps to maintain good health. (10) (11) (12)

Traditional uses

• In Venezuela, root decoction is used in hot baths to cure stomach cancer.
• A decoction made from the root is placed in the hot or boiling water which helps to release the compounds.
• The leaves are steeped in water which provides the laxative effect.
• The alcoholic extract from the leaves also prevents Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• Some people chew a seed that helps to soothe a sore throat.

How to Eat

• The aromatic seeds which have a sweet taste are consumed fresh, roasted, or boiled.
• In local medicine, an infusion made from the bark and pericarp is used to treat liver complaints.

References

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