Mahkota Dewa
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Mahkota Dewa fruits are generally small, averaging 3 to 5 centimeters in diameter, and have a round, oblate, ellipsoid shape with a curved nature. The fruit’s skin is smooth, firm, and taut with a glossy, waxy, and lightly striated texture. The fruits ripen from green to bright red with maturity and occasionally showcase a variegated coloring when transitioning. Underneath the surface, the white flesh is fibrous, dense, and hard. Sources often note that the flesh has a texture like coconut fiber. The flesh also envelops 1 to 2 poisonous ovoid, brown seeds that should never be ingested. It is important to note that Mahkota Dewa fruits are not edible raw. The fruits are typically dried and boiled, and the liquid consumed as a medicinal tea. Beverages made from boiling dried Mahkota Dewa fruits have a woody, earthy, bitter, sour, sweet, and subtly smoky taste.
Seasons/Availability
Mahkota Dewa is available year-round.
Current Facts
Mahkota Dewa, botanically classified as Phaleria macrocarpa, is a Southeast Asian species belonging to the Thymelaeaceae family. The fruits grow on evergreen shrubs or small trees ranging 1 to 18 meters in height, but most average around 5 to 6 meters. One of the distinct characteristics of Mahkota Dewa fruits is their appearance along the entire tree, growing along the trunk and branches. The name Mahkota Dewa is derived from Malay and translates to “God’s Crown.” The species acquired this moniker from its longstanding use in medicinal remedies throughout Southeast Asia. The fruits are also known as Buah Mahkota Dewa and Pau in Malaysia, Simalakama in Indonesia, Raja Obat and Makuto Dewo in Java, and Huang Kuang in China. Mahkota Dewa trees are a treasured ornamental and medicinal species, especially in Malaysia and Indonesia, and are deeply intertwined in the cultural and spiritual lore of the communities as a life-giving tree.
Nutritional Value
Mahkota Dewa is revered in natural medicines practiced in Southeast Asia. The leaves, fruits, flowers, and bark are incorporated into various remedies, and the plant is generally believed to have anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. The fruits are dried, boiled, and processed into tea as a method to cleanse the digestive tract. It is also believed to strengthen the immune system. In addition to tea, Mahkota Dewa fruits are mashed with coconut oil and applied topically to skin irritations or dried and ground into a powder for capsules. Discussion with a medical professional is imperative before ingesting or taking any plant as a medicinal treatment. Correct dosing is critical with Mahkota Dewa, and taking too much can result in harm.
Applications
Mahkota Dewa fruits are not edible raw. Scientific studies are inconclusive about the toxicity of raw Mahkota Dewa fruits, with some sites mentioning the fruits can contain alkaloids and saponins, but most sources agree that they should not be ingested without some form of processing. Mahkota Dewa fruits are traditionally sliced into thin pieces, removing and discarding the poisonous seeds, and the pieces are dried in the sun for several days. Once dried, the fruit slices are boiled in water for a period before the liquid is extracted. The liquid is the primary portion of the fruit consumed and is drunk as a medicinal tea. It is also sometimes added to other beverages or mixed into soups. Mahkota Dewa is a popular herbal drink in Indonesia. Fresh fruits should be sliced and dried immediately after harvest for the best quality. Dried pieces of Mahkota Dewa will keep for several months to one year when stored in a sealed container in a cool, dry, and dark location.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Mahkota Dewa trees are a natural material used in noken, a traditional craft of indigenous populations in Papua, a province of Indonesia on the western half of the island of New Guinea. Noken is the art of constructing items from natural materials, and one of the most popular crafted shapes is carrying bags. Bark from the Mahkota Dewa tree is cut and stripped from the tree, but only enough is taken to ensure the tree is not harmed and survives. The bark is later washed, dried, and rolled into thread. The thread is left in its natural coloring or dyed and is then knotted and woven into a handmade bag. Noken bags symbolize creativity and resilience among indigenous Papua populations, and the artistry behind the craft takes months to years to master. The bags are also common in markets and are used daily to carry produce and other goods. In Papua, Mahkota Dewa trees are being specifically planted for use in craft making. The fruits and leaves of the tree are also viewed as a secondary source of income that can be collected from the trees.
Geography/History
Mahkota Dewa is native to Southeast Asia and has been growing wild since ancient times. Several theories point to Indonesia, mainly the provinces of Java and Papua, as possible sites of origins. The species has also existed in parts of the Malay Archipelago for centuries. Mahkota Dewa is a tropical species between 10 and 1,200 meters in elevation and thrives in warm, fertile regions. It is unknown when parts of the tree were sourced for medicinal and cultural uses, but the species was prevalent enough to become a part of well-known phrases and local sayings throughout Indonesia. Over time, Mahkota Dewa spread in cultivation to other parts of Southeast Asia, Southern Asia, and East Asia for its reported medicinal benefits. Today, Mahkota Dewa is still growing wild in Southeast Asia and is cultivated on a small scale throughout Asia. The fruits are sometimes found fresh in local markets but are also dried and sold through health practitioners in Asia and online retailers for worldwide sales.
