Dabai is a plant that is found in the tropical rainforest of Sarawak. Fruits are white when they are still immature and turn to purplish pink and powdery black color when ripened. Seeds are subtriangular in shape with three chambers. It is found in undisturbed lowland forests up to 700 meters altitude mostly on ridges and hillsides. It is found on limestones and usually presents as a pre-disturbance remnant tree. It is known as black olive but technically, it is not an olive. The tree grows to the height of 21 meters and the furry leaves are thin and twigs are covered with golden brown. Fruits are oblong resembling the shape of olive and has thin and edible skin. The flesh is yellowish-white which wraps around three angled seeds.
Plant description
Canarium odontophyllum is a medium-sized and upright tree that measures 36 meters high having 86 cm trunk diameter and a branched canopy at the top of the trunk. Leaves are thin, large, and finely pubescent, and pinnate. New leaves form in the color of red velvet or green. Branchlets and petioles have resinous ducts. The flower measures 10 mm across and is white-yellow. Male flower has six stamens and the female flower has six staminodes. Flowers are followed by fleshy and oblong to ellipsoidal drupe about 35–40 mm long by 20–25 mm wide. Fruits are white when immature which turns purplish-black when ripe having thin and edible skin. The flesh is 4-7 mm thick and white or yellow. Seed is large and has three angled points.
Health Benefits of Dabai
- Act as antioxidant
Dabai lowers the signs of aging by reducing wrinkles and preserves the skin texture. It prevents skin from sun damage and lowers the chances of sunburn.
- Lipid
It produces energy and protects vital organs such as kidneys, heart, spleen and liver.
- Magnesium
Magnesium helps to lower the chances of coronary heart diseases. It is beneficial to the cardiovascular system. The sources of magnesium and potassium are associated with reducing blood pressure. Moreover, it treats diabetes, insomnia, migraines and depression.
- Calcium
It promotes bone mass in both growing children and young adults. It can lower bone loss during aging. It prevents the chances of weight gain as it promotes more fat to be burned and less fat is stored.
- Fatty acids
The diet with low content of fatty acids results in skin problems such as eczema, split nails, dandruff and brittle hair. It regulates blood pressure, liver function and immune responses and also support blood clotting and breaking down of cholesterol.
Culinary uses
- It is used in various recipes such as fried rice, pizza, maki, mixed vegetables, mayonnaise, desserts, salad sauce, ice cream and chips.
- Soak it in hot water for 10 minutes till it becomes soft and then consume with sugar or soy sauce in a meal.
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