Sacred garlic pear (Crateva religiosa)

Sacred garlic pear is a small deciduous tree of the caper family, planted around temples and villages in South-east Asia and the Pacific. Its name comes from the garlic smell of crushed leaves and bark. In Thailand the young leaves are fermented into a sour pickle. Most Indian texts that name varun or mavalingam mean a close cousin, Crateva magna, which has its own page.

Botanical name: Crateva religiosa G.Forst.
Family: Capparaceae
Tamil: Pacific mavalingam
Hindi: Pacific varun
Parts used: Bark in lists, Leaf
Habit: Deciduous garlic-pear tree of South-east Asia and the Pacific; Indian varun is usually Crateva magna
Last updated: 2026-10-27

How to recognise Sacred garlic pear

It is a small to medium tree, often six to fifteen metres tall, that drops its leaves in the dry season.

Each leaf has three pointed leaflets on a long stalk, like a large trifoliate bean leaf.

The flowers open as the new leaves appear, with four cream petals that age to yellow and a spray of long purple stamens.

The fruit is a round berry with a hard, speckled rind and seeds set in pulp.

Crateva magna looks very similar; botanists separate them mainly by native range and small differences in the fruit stalk and flower.

Traditional use of Sacred garlic pear

Kitchen

Thai cooks ferment the young leaves and shoots with salt and rice water into phak kum dong, eaten with chilli dips.

Thai food practice

Ritual

It is planted at temples and shrines across South-east Asia and the Pacific, which is behind the English name sacred garlic pear.

South-east Asian and Pacific practice

Folk use

Bark and leaves appear in folk remedies across its range, mostly as external applications.

South-east Asian folk practice

Modern notes on Sacred garlic pear

The garlic smell comes from sulphur compounds, which the caper family shares with mustards.

Leaves eaten raw are reported to cause stomach upset, which is one reason Thai cooking ferments them first.

Laboratory studies on Crateva bark extracts exist, but there are no reliable trials in people.

Sacred garlic pear safety

Do not eat the leaves raw; the traditional practice is to ferment or cook them. Bark preparations should only be used under a trained practitioner.

Ecology and sourcing

It grows along streams and in seasonally dry forests.

Caper-family trees feed the caterpillars of white and gull butterflies.

Bees and moths visit the scented flowers, and bats and birds take the fruit.

Related plants

Questions about Sacred garlic pear

Why is Sacred garlic pear called garlic pear?

Crushed leaves and bark smell of garlic, and the fruit is round.

Is Sacred garlic pear Indian varun?

Indian texts usually mean Crateva magna, a close cousin.

Are the leaves of Sacred garlic pear eaten?

Yes, in Thailand, but only after fermenting.

When does Sacred garlic pear flower?

At the end of the dry season, as the new leaves open.

Is Sacred garlic pear related to capers?

Yes. It belongs to the caper family, Capparaceae.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.