Tag: Jamaican cherry

According to agricultural research, the Jamaican cherry is a rapidly growing tropical tree, native to Central America and the Caribbean, that produces small, red, edible fruits. So, can I eat Jamaican cherries? The good news is that the fruit, leaves, and flowers are not only safe to consume but are also celebrated for their medicinal properties.

According to traditional medicinal practices in many tropical regions, the leaves and fruits of the *Muntingia calabura* tree, also known as Jamaican cherry, have been used for centuries to treat various ailments, from headaches to stomach ulcers. This small, sweet fruit is not just a local delicacy but a nutritional powerhouse, packed with compounds that offer significant health advantages when incorporated into a balanced diet.

The aratiles tree, a fast-growing tropical species, produces small, sweet red berries that many people worldwide enjoy. While known as aratiles in the Philippines, this versatile tree and its fruit have a wide variety of other names depending on the region. This diversity in nomenclature can often lead to confusion for those new to the fruit, but each name helps tell a part of its global story.

While known as 'aratiles' in the Philippines, this sweet, cherry-like tropical fruit goes by dozens of different names around the world. Unraveling the true English name for aratiles can be confusing, as it is a single species with a variety of regional aliases derived from its native origins in Central and South America.

A 2018 review noted the potent antioxidant activity of *Muntingia calabura* fruits, commonly known as Jamaican cherries. But beyond their delicious flavor, **what are Jamaican cherries used for** in both culinary applications and traditional medicine? This article explores their versatile uses and surprising benefits.