MAARIFA YA JAMII:FAIDA ZA MBILIMBI...!

Nilikuwa natafuta jina rasmi la "mbilimbi", haja yangu ikiwa ni kujua endapo mmea huu unafahamika na faida za matumizi yake mwilini. 

Kwetu Tanzania, mbilimbi si geni kwa wakazi wa Pwani kwani hutumika sana katika kutengeneza chachandu/achali na utaikuta kwenye meza za wachuuzi kwa ajili ya kutia ugwadu kwenye mihogo ama viazi vya kukaanga (chips/french fries -- kama ilivyo mabungo, pilipili-chumvi) n.k. na pia hutumika kuungia ladha vyakula mbalimbali.

Huku mtandaoni nimekuta wapo ambao wanakausha na kuhifadhi kwenye paketi na kuuza (bofya hapa kuona Amazon.com au eBay.com), nikajisikitia kuwa ni habati gani mbaya tuliyo nayo kwetu tuna vingi lakini kuvifanyia ujasiriamali kwa juhudi na maarifa tunashindwa. Pengine tusingizie ni tatizo la mfumo na mkazo wa elimu na woga.

Baadhi ya mapishi (recipes) mbalimbali ya mbilimbi yanapatikana katika tovuti ya fruitsinfo.com

Zifuatazo ni baadhi tu ya faida za mbilimbi mwilini (zimenukuliwa kutoka onlyfoods.net):

Health Benefits
Bilimbi offers some of the best health benefits. The fruit is popular worldwide for its sour flavor and is also used as a spice in cooking some of the delicious seasonal dishes.

• It is capable enough for eliminating phlegm and reducing heat from the body.

• It has anti-inflammatory properties.

• It is advised for treating high blood pressure and the treatment is quite effective.

• For reducing the pain of cavities, cucumber tree is used.

• The juice extracted from bilimbi fruit is effective in eliminating cough.

• The fruit is good for treating rheumatism.

• It is effective in treating acne.

Uses
The tree as well as the fruit is used for several purposes. 

Edible uses

• The juice of this fruit is tangy and refreshing.

•  Apart from that, bilimbi is used as a spice in cooking delicious and appetizing curries.

• It is used instead of mango for preparing chutney and is preserved.

Medicinal uses
Bilimibi tree as well as the fruit is full of medicinal properties.

• The leaves are applied as a paste on itchy skin.

• Malayans use the leaves for treating venereal diseases.

• Leaves are also used for treating cold and cough.

• Paste of the pickled bilimbi is applied over the body to get rid of fever.

• A syrup prepared from the fruit helps in getting rid of fever.

• The fruit also helps in stopping rectal bleeding and eliminating internal hemorrhoids.

Other uses 

• The wood is frequently used in carpentry. 

• The fruit juice has high concentration of oxalic acid, useful for bleaching.

Side Effects
Consumption of bilimbi is good for our health but overconsumption can lead to digestion problems.