Candle Nut, Country Walnut

Aleurites moluccanus

Physical Characteristics

Aleurites moluccanus is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid, very alkaline and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, Australia, Pacific Islands.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Oil Seed Edible Uses: Oil Edible portion: Kernel, Seeds, Nut, Vegetable. Seed - cooked. The roasted seed is eaten in small quantities only, since larger amounts are said to be laxative[ 301 ]. The seeds of a type grown in Vanuatu can be eaten in larger quantities without any apparent toxic effect[ 299 ]. After removing the hard outer coat, the seed can be pounded into a meal and eaten as a sauce[ 303 ]. The seed can be used in curries[ 598 ]. The seed is an indispensable spice in Indonesian cuisine, where it is known as 'kemiri. It possesses little flavour of its own, but mainly acts as a flavour enhancer, being added to numerous dishes in small quantities, raw, or briefly roasted, pounded and mixed with other ingredients[ 299 ]. In Hawaii a spice called 'inamona' is prepared from the seeds mixed with seaweed and salt[ 299 ]. The seed needs to be stored for some time, so that they are thoroughly dried, before they are eaten[ 63 ]. See notes above on toxicity. The residual oil cake is sometimes processed into a snack-food called 'dage kemiri' in Indonesia[ 299 ]. It is prepared by pounding the oil cake, then soaking it for 48 hours in running water, steaming it and then covering it with a banana leaf with a weight on top of it to press out remaining liquid. It is then left to ferment for 48 hours in a dark place[ 299 ]. Fruit[ 598 ]. The fruit has a thick rind enclosing two large seeds surrounded by a thin layer of pulp[ 377 ]. An oil is obtained from the seed[ 301 ]. The oil is inedible[ 303 ]. A reasonably important nut in several areas of Papua New Guinea. It is a cultivated food plant.

Medicinal Uses

Antidiarrhoeal Antitumor Contraceptive Dysentery Laxative Purgative Stimulant Candle nut is a widely used traditional medicine in the Pacific Islands[ 311 ]. Some caution needs to be employed when using this plant since there are also reports of toxicity[ 63 , 311 ]. The bark is used to treat wounds, tumours, bloody diarrhoea and dysentery[ 303 , 311 ]. Bark juice, with coconut milk, is used for treating sprue[ 303 ]. In Tonga, infertility in women is treated by daily drinking a decoction of the bark[ 311 ]. Secondary amenorrhoea is also treated with a decoction of the bark[ 311 ]. Thrush, sore throat, tonsillitis and mouth sores are treated in Polynesia by gargling with an infusion of the bark[ 311 ]. The oil is purgative and sometimes used like castor oil[ 303 ]. The irritant oil is rubbed on scalp as a hair stimulant[ 303 ]. In the Cook Islands and Tahiti, candlenut oil is used to make a massage oil for a certain kind of headache (possibly caused by meningitis)[ 311 ]. The kernels are laxative, stimulant and sudorific[ 303 ]. The pulped kernel is used in poultices for headache, fevers, ulcers and swollen joints[ 303 ]. In Papua New Guinea, the seeds are applied externally to the male genitals as a contraceptive[ 311 ]. The leaves are used to treat constipation and food poisoning[ 311 ]. A decoction of the leaves is used in treating coughs, diarrhoea, pains in the chest and hernia[ 311]. An infusion of the leaves is used as a lotion or is ingested for mouth infections of infants[ 311 ]. The boiled leaves are used as a poultice to treat headaches and gonorrhoea[ 303 ].

Known Hazards

The fresh seed contains a principle resembling croton oil and should not be eaten[ 63 ]. Thorough drying destroys this principle[ 63 ]. The seeds contain cyanide, which is largely destroyed by thorough drying or cooking. However, some strains of the tree contain much higher levels of toxins than other strains[ 377 ]. The leaves are toxic[ 311 ].