Kodampuli (Garcinia gummi-gutta)

Kodampuli, kudampuli in Malayalam, is Malabar tamarind, a Western Ghats tree whose ribbed, yellow fruits are split, sun-dried and smoked into a black, sour rind. Kerala fish curries owe their dark tang to it. It contains hydroxycitric acid, marketed worldwide for weight loss as Garcinia cambogia, the plant’s older name. Trials show little effect, and some supplements have been linked to liver injury.

Botanical name: Garcinia gummi-gutta (L.) N.Robson
Family: Clusiaceae
Tamil: Kodampuli
Hindi: Camboge
Sanskrit: Vṛkṣāmla
Parts used: Fruit rind (dried, often smoked)
Habit: Western Ghats tree with a smoked sour fruit rind
Last updated: 2026-10-27

How to recognise Kodampuli

It is an evergreen tree with a dense crown and drooping branches.

The leaves are glossy, dark green, elliptic and opposite.

Small, fleshy flowers grow in the leaf axils, male and female often on separate trees.

The fruit is round and deeply ribbed like a small pumpkin, ripening yellow.

Dried rind is black, leathery and very sour.

Traditional use of Kodampuli

Kitchen

Kodampuli is soaked and added to Kerala meen curry and other fish dishes.

Kerala food practice

Kitchen

In Sri Lanka it is used to sour fish ambul thiyal.

Sri Lankan food practice

Ayurveda

Vrikshamla is used in Ayurveda for digestion.

Ayurvedic texts

Modern notes on Kodampuli

Hydroxycitric acid has been widely sold for weight loss, but trials show only small or no effects.

Liver injury cases have been linked to supplements containing it.

Smoking the rind helps preserve it for months.

Kodampuli safety

Kodampuli is safe in cooking amounts. Avoid Garcinia weight-loss supplements, especially with liver disease or alongside other medicines.

Ecology and sourcing

It grows in the evergreen forests of the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka.

Monkeys and birds eat the fruit.

It is planted in homestead gardens in Kerala.

Related plants

Also in Clusiaceae

Questions about Kodampuli

Is Kodampuli the same as Garcinia cambogia?

Yes, that is its older name.

Does Kodampuli help weight loss?

Evidence shows little effect.

Why is Kodampuli black?

The rind is smoked.

Is Kodampuli the same as kokum?

No. Kokum is Garcinia indica.

How is Kodampuli used?

Soaked and added to fish curries.

How should Kodampuli be stored?

In an airtight jar; the dried rind keeps for a year or more.

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.