Hilikha, with many other vernacular names is a tropical fruit found in the North-eastern region of India and also in the nearby states of that region. It is a small, oval shaped, green in appearance and tastes bitter sweet. It is eaten raw, dried (brown colour) and made powder from the dried form for adding to health drink or other mixes. “Triphala” juice that is prepared as health drinks is made out of many mixes of fruits and herbs along with this fruit. In many ethnobotanical uses practiced by the different communities in the region, Hilikha is used in various edible forms. Besides, the fruit is rich in many useful bioactive compounds that helps to regulate the immune health system of the body. Chebulic acid is a bioactive compound reportedly found in thus fruit which is seen to scavenge free radicals and inhibit ROS production, promoting antioxidant activity. In addition to this, the fruit has many other immunity modulating activities.

Mode of Consumption: Mostly consumed Raw, Used to prepare Juice, Jam, Pickles Dried fruits etc