​Garcinia Cambodia (Malabar Tamarind)

Garcinia Cambodia (Malabar Tamarind)

Product Name: Гарциния камбоджийская, Garcinia cambogia, Kambodschanische Garcinia, Garcinia camboyana, Garcinia cambodgienne, جارسينيا كامبوديا, การ์ซิเนีย แคมโบเจีย

Synonyms: гарциния индонезийская, мальабарский тамаринд, гарциния желтая, brindle berry, Malabar tamarind, kudam puli, Garcinia gummi-gutta, Cambogia-Gummigutt, Garcinia de Malabar, Garcinia gomme-gutte, جارسينيا جمّي-غتّا, ส้มแขก

Parts used: fruits, rind, dried peel, seeds, leaves, bark, resin-gum, fruit rind.

Main indications for the use of Garcinia cambogia: Alimentary obesity, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hyperinsulinemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity in patients with insulin resistance, steatohepatosis, prediabetic state, hypercholesterolemia, eating disorders, compulsive overeating.

Use of Garcinia cambogia in mixtures and complexes: Gout, chronic pancreatitis, atherosclerosis of large arteries, polycystic ovary syndrome, hypothyroidism, neurocirculatory dystonia, liver fibrosis, chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Pharmacological properties of Garcinia cambogia: anorexigenic, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, moderately antiseptic, weak antibacterial, anti-adipogenic, metabolically modulating, inhibiting α-amylase, increasing serotonin levels.

Dosage of Pharmaceutical Forms — Garcinia cambogia

Powder — Garcinia cambogia

Indications (Powder): Alimentary obesity, metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, prediabetic state, dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, eating disorders.

Standard Dosage (Powder): 3 grams of powder 2 times a day, 30 minutes before meals, with warm water.

Enhanced Dosage (Powder): 5 grams of powder 2 times a day, for obesity of grade 2–3, pronounced metabolic syndrome, steatohepatosis with confirmed insulin resistance.

Maximum Dosage (Powder): 6 grams of powder 2 times a day, only under medical supervision, in the therapy of obesity complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus and liver fibrosis.

Preventive Dosage (Powder): 1.5 grams of powder once a day in the morning on an empty stomach for 20 days each month. Recommended for patients with overweight, physical inactivity, and hereditary predisposition to metabolic disorders.

Pediatric Dosage (Powder): Use is permissible in children over 12 years of age with a body weight of at least 40 kilograms. Dosage — 1 gram once a day in the morning, for alimentary obesity and metabolic predisposition.

Contraindications (Powder): Individual intolerance, pronounced hypoglycemia, chronic gastritis with increased acidity. No scientific data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 12 years have been registered.

Side Effects (Powder): In case of overdose, headache, nausea, mild diarrhea, and increased thirst may occur. All side effects are reversible and have been described when the dosage exceeds 7 grams per day.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Powder): For body weight less than 60 kilograms, the dosage is reduced by 25 percent. For body weight more than 90 kilograms, an increase in dosage by 20 percent is permissible while maintaining the standard regimen.

Preparation method (Powder): Dried fruit pulp is used to prepare the powder. The fruits are cleaned of seeds, cut into thin slices, and dried at a temperature not exceeding +45°C in the shade with active air ventilation. After drying, the slices are ground into powder using a metal mill with a sieve to a fraction of less than 0.3 millimeters. To obtain 100 grams of finished powder, 450 grams of fresh fruits are required. No additional components are added.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Powder): Store the powder in a tightly closed glass container at a temperature of +15 to +25°C in a dark, dry, ventilated room, shielded from electromagnetic radiation. Shelf life — 12 months. After opening the package, use within 45 days, avoiding contact with moisture and direct sunlight.

Extract — Garcinia cambogia

Indications (Extract): Obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, steatohepatosis, chronic pancreatitis in remission.

Standard Dosage (Extract): 1.5 milliliters of liquid extract 3 times a day, 20 minutes before meals, diluted in 50 ml of warm water.

Enhanced Dosage (Extract): Up to 3 milliliters 3 times a day, for obesity with BMI over 35, combined metabolic syndrome with dyslipidemia and hyperinsulinemia.

Maximum Dosage (Extract): No more than 12 milliliters per day, exclusively under medical supervision, in clinical settings, for the treatment of complicated obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Preventive Dosage (Extract): 0.5 milliliters 2 times a day, in a course of 21 days. Recommended for patients at risk of lipid metabolism disorders, a sedentary lifestyle, and hereditary burden of metabolic diseases.

Pediatric Dosage (Extract): Use is permissible in children over 12 years of age with a body weight of more than 40 kilograms. Dosage — 0.5 ml once a day, no more than 14 days, under specialist supervision.

Contraindications (Extract): Individual hypersensitivity, ulcerative disease in the acute stage, pregnancy, lactation, childhood under 12 years, decompensated diabetes.

Side Effects (Extract): In case of overdose, dyspeptic disorders, hypoglycemic states, dizziness, and irritability are possible. Side effects have been described when the daily dose is exceeded more than 2 times.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Extract): For patients with body weight up to 60 kg, it is recommended to reduce the dose by 30 percent. For body weight over 90 kg — increase by 15 percent, without exceeding the daily limit.

Preparation method (Extract): Dried fruit pulp is used. 100 grams of dry raw material are poured with 500 ml of 70% ethanol. Infusion is carried out in the shade at a temperature of +25°C for 10 days with daily stirring. After infusion, the mixture is filtered through a paper filter and packaged in dark glass containers. The resulting extract has a concentration of 1:5. No additives or preservatives are used.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Extract): Store in a dark cool place at a temperature of +5 to +18°C, in a tightly closed glass container, protected from light and electromagnetic sources. Shelf life — 6 months. After opening, use within 30 days.

Alcohol-Based Tincture — Garcinia cambogia

Indications (Tincture): Obesity, hyperinsulinemia, chronic cholecystitis, fatty infiltration of the liver, eating disorders, hypercholesterolemia.

Standard Dosage (Tincture): 20 drops of tincture (approximately 1 ml) 3 times a day before meals, diluted in 30 ml of warm water.

Enhanced Dosage (Tincture): 30 drops (approximately 1.5 ml) 3 times a day for pronounced alimentary obesity, compensated type 2 diabetes mellitus, and fatty hepatosis.

Maximum Dosage (Tincture): Up to 40 drops 3 times a day (total 6 ml per day), permissible short-term under medical supervision for combined metabolic disorders and pronounced hyperlipidemia.

Preventive Dosage (Tincture): 10 drops 2 times a day, 30 minutes before meals, for 14 days monthly. Recommended for persons with a family predisposition to metabolic disorders, a sedentary lifestyle, and a tendency to compulsive overeating.

Pediatric Dosage (Tincture): Not recommended for children under 14 years. If necessary, it can be used in adolescents with obesity under specialist supervision — 5 drops once a day, course no more than 10 days.

Contraindications (Tincture): Alcoholism, liver diseases in the stage of decompensation, ulcerative disease, pregnancy and lactation, age under 14 years. Data on safety in childhood and old age are limited and require medical supervision.

Side Effects (Tincture): In case of dosage exceeding, facial redness, nausea, dizziness, sensation of heat, and decreased blood pressure are possible. These effects have been recorded with doses above 50 drops at one time.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Tincture): For patients with body weight less than 60 kilograms, it is recommended to reduce the single dose by 25 percent. For patients with body weight over 90 kilograms — an increase in dose by 20 percent is possible with good tolerability.

Preparation method (Tincture): Dried fruit rind is used as raw material. 100 grams of raw material are poured with 400 ml of 40% ethyl alcohol. The mixture is infused in a dark cool place in a glass container for 14 days with daily shaking. Then filtered and poured into dark bottles. No additional stabilizers are added.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Tincture): Store in tightly closed dark glass bottles at a temperature of +10...+18°C, in a place protected from light and radiation sources. Shelf life — 12 months. After opening the bottle, use within 30 days.

Oil Infusion — Garcinia cambogia

Indications (Oil Infusion): Obesity, localized fat deposition, cellulite, lipodystrophy, metabolic disorders of the skin, skin atony, prevention of stretch marks in overweight.

Standard Dosage (Oil Infusion): External use: 5–10 ml of oil infusion is applied to the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks 1–2 times a day with light massage movements after a shower.

Enhanced Dosage (Oil Infusion): 15 ml 2 times a day, for pronounced fat deposits, chronic cellulite, and decreased skin elasticity as part of complex therapy.

Maximum Dosage (Oil Infusion): Up to 20 ml 2 times a day on limited areas of the skin (no more than 30% of the body surface), for no more than 10 days, under the supervision of a specialist cosmetologist or dermatologist.

Preventive Dosage (Oil Infusion): 5 ml once a day, in courses of 14 days with intervals of 7 days. Recommended for women with a predisposition to cellulite, in postmenopause, during weight loss, and with a sedentary lifestyle.

Pediatric Dosage (Oil Infusion): Not used in pediatric practice. The safety of external use in children and adolescents has not been scientifically confirmed.

Contraindications (Oil Infusion): Skin damage, dermatitis, eczema, individual intolerance to oils, pregnancy (abdomen and chest). No data on contraindications during lactation and in childhood have been registered.

Side Effects (Oil Infusion): In case of overdose, local hyperemia, itching, and skin irritation are possible. Cases of contact dermatitis have been described with use of more than 30 ml per day for 10 days.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Oil Infusion): Dose adjustment is not required, however, for body weight above 90 kilograms, the volume of application may be increased to 15 ml per application on expanded areas, subject to skin tolerability.

Preparation method (Oil Infusion): Dried fruit rind is used. 100 grams of raw material are crushed and poured with 400 ml of refined sesame oil. The mixture is heated in a water bath at a temperature of +45...+50°C for 6 hours, then infused under a lid for another 24 hours at room temperature. After filtration, it is pressed through cloth and poured into dark glass bottles.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Oil Infusion): Store in dark glass containers at a temperature of +10 to +25°C, in a place protected from direct sunlight and heat sources. Shelf life — 6 months. After opening the package, use within 30 days, avoiding water and contamination.

Dry Fruit Rind — Garcinia cambogia

Indications (Dry Fruit Rind): Obesity, alimentary hyperlipidemia, digestive disorders, gastric atony, chronic constipation, hyperacid gastritis, flatulence.

Standard Dosage (Dry Fruit Rind): 2–3 grams of dried fruit rind are poured with 200 ml of hot water (+80°C), infused for 15 minutes, and taken orally before meals 2 times a day.

Enhanced Dosage (Dry Fruit Rind): Up to 5 grams of dried fruit rind per 250 ml of water, for pronounced symptoms of dyspepsia, chronic constipation, bloating, with a comprehensive approach to the therapy of metabolic disorders.

Maximum Dosage (Dry Fruit Rind): 6 grams per 250 ml of water no more than 2 times a day for 7 days, for severe forms of alimentary obesity and dyspepsia, only under specialist supervision.

Preventive Dosage (Dry Fruit Rind): 1 gram of dried fruit rind per 150 ml of water once a day, 30 minutes before the main meal, course of 10 days monthly. Recommended for patients with a hereditary predisposition to obesity and slow digestion syndrome.

Pediatric Dosage (Dry Fruit Rind): Use is permissible in children over 10 years of age with a body weight from 30 kilograms — no more than 0.5 grams of rind per 100 ml of water once a day for 7 days, for mild forms of digestive disorders.

Contraindications (Dry Fruit Rind): Individual intolerance, ulcerative disease in the acute stage, pregnancy and lactation. Scientific data on contraindications in children under 10 years are absent.

Side Effects (Dry Fruit Rind): In case of overdose, abdominal discomfort, increased peristalsis, frequent urination, and mild diarrhea may occur.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Dry Fruit Rind): For body weight below 60 kg — reduce the dosage by 20 percent. For body weight above 90 kg — an increase of 10 percent is permissible, with good tolerability and absence of side effects.

Preparation method (Dry Fruit Rind): Dried fruit rinds are cleaned of internal fibers and re-dried at a temperature of +40°C in a drying oven to a residual moisture content of no more than 12 percent. Then stored as whole slices or cut into strips up to 3 centimeters long. To obtain 100 grams of dry rind, no less than 350 grams of fresh fruits are required. No additives are used.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Dry Fruit Rind): Store in an airtight paper or fabric bag in a dry cool place at a temperature not exceeding +25°C, away from light and moisture. Shelf life — up to 12 months. After opening the package, use within 30 days.

Resin-Gum (Gummi-gutta) — Garcinia cambogia

Indications (Resin-Gum): Constipation, intestinal atony, metabolic syndrome, intoxications, dyslipidemia.

Standard Dosage (Resin-Gum): 1–2 grams of resin-gum (approximately half a teaspoon) once a day in the evening after dinner, with warm water.

Enhanced Dosage (Resin-Gum): 3 grams once a day before bedtime for chronic constipation, intestinal atony, as part of a detoxification program.

Maximum Dosage (Resin-Gum): 4 grams once a day for no more than 7 days, under medical supervision for pronounced intestinal atony and dyslipidemia.

Preventive Dosage (Resin-Gum): 0.5 grams once a week before bedtime, in a course of 8 weeks. Recommended for patients with periodic constipation, a tendency to fecal stagnation, and after courses of antibiotic therapy.

Pediatric Dosage (Resin-Gum): Not used in pediatrics due to the absence of reliable data.

Contraindications (Resin-Gum): Mechanical intestinal obstruction, exacerbation of gastric or intestinal ulcerative disease, pregnancy and lactation, childhood — contraindicated; no safety data for adolescents have been registered.

Side Effects (Resin-Gum): When the dosage is exceeded, severe intestinal spasm, bloating, diarrhea, electrolyte disturbances, and possible dehydration may occur.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Resin-Gum): In patients with body weight below 60 kg, the initial dose is reduced by 25%. In patients with body weight over 90 kg, an increase in the dose mass by 15% is permissible with good tolerability.

Preparation method (Resin-Gum): Fresh fruits are cut, the pulp is removed, leaving the rind with juice. The juice is squeezed out manually in a portioned container, then evaporated in a water bath at a temperature of +70—+80°C to obtain a viscous resin. Upon cooling, portions of 5 grams are formed and cooled at room temperature until completely solidified.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Resin-Gum): Store in a tightly closed glass container at a temperature of +10...+20°C, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Shelf life — 9 months. After opening the package, use within 45 days.

Cosmetic Cream — Garcinia cambogia

Indications (Cosmetic Cream): Cellulite, local fat deposits, decreased skin elasticity, skin laxity after weight loss, stretch marks, prevention of age-related skin changes.

Standard Dosage (Cosmetic Cream): Apply 2–3 ml of cream 2 times a day to problem areas (thighs, buttocks, abdomen), rubbing in with massage movements until completely absorbed. Course of 30 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Cosmetic Cream): Up to 5 ml 2 times a day, for pronounced cellulite, local lipodystrophies, and loss of skin turgor after sudden weight loss. Course — no more than 45 days in a row.

Maximum Dosage (Cosmetic Cream): Up to 7 ml per area, 2 times a day for pronounced structural cellulite and skin hypotonia, only under the supervision of a cosmetologist, no more than 10 days in a row.

Preventive Dosage (Cosmetic Cream): 1.5–2 ml once a day in the evening, in courses of 14 days monthly. Recommended for women in perimenopause, patients in the phase of weight stabilization, and with a tendency to skin laxity.

Pediatric Dosage (Cosmetic Cream): Not used in children and adolescents. No data on the safety of external use under 18 years of age exist.

Contraindications (Cosmetic Cream): Damaged skin, pustular rashes, allergic dermatitis, individual intolerance to components. No data on contraindications during pregnancy and lactation have been registered, but use is not recommended without medical consultation.

Side Effects (Cosmetic Cream): When the dosage is exceeded, skin irritation, local redness, itching, and burning sensation are possible. Side reactions have been recorded with application of more than 10 ml per application.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Cosmetic Cream): Dose adjustment is not required; one should be guided by the area of the affected region. In patients with pronounced obesity, an increase in the application area is permissible while maintaining the dosage per unit area.

Preparation method (Cosmetic Cream): 10 grams of oil infusion of Garcinia cambogia, 2 grams of hydroglyceric fruit extract, 3 grams of beeswax, 1 gram of lecithin, and 80 grams of distilled water are introduced into the emulsion base. All components are combined at a temperature of +40°C with stirring. After cooling — 0.5 grams of grapefruit essential oil is added (according to indications). Total product yield — 100 grams.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Cosmetic Cream): Store at a temperature of +5 to +15°C in a dark place, in a tightly closed jar, avoiding moisture. Shelf life — 3 months. After opening, use within 30 days.

Ethnomedicinal Aqueous Infusion — Garcinia cambogia

Indications (Ethnomedicinal Aqueous Infusion): Dyspepsia, chronic gastritis with reduced acidity, flatulence, weak peristalsis, food overeating, impaired bile secretion.

Standard Dosage (Ethnomedicinal Aqueous Infusion): 200 ml of infusion, prepared from 3 grams of dried rind, 2 times a day, 20 minutes before meals. Course — 10 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Ethnomedicinal Aqueous Infusion): 300 ml of infusion from 5 grams of raw material 2 times a day, for pronounced flatulence, dyspepsia, and as part of gastrointestinal sanitation in chronic digestive disorders.

Maximum Dosage (Ethnomedicinal Aqueous Infusion): Up to 400 ml per day (in 2 doses), with short-term use of no more than 5 days for acute digestive disorders and difficult bile outflow, under specialist supervision.

Preventive Dosage (Ethnomedicinal Aqueous Infusion): 150 ml of infusion once a day in the morning on an empty stomach, course of 7 days monthly. Recommended for chronic overeating, after heavy meals, and during the recovery period after poisoning.

Pediatric Dosage (Ethnomedicinal Aqueous Infusion): Use is permissible in children over 8 years of age. Dosage — 100 ml of infusion prepared from 1 gram of rind, once a day after meals, no more than 5 days.

Contraindications (Ethnomedicinal Aqueous Infusion): Individual intolerance, hyperacid gastritis, acute inflammatory diseases of the stomach and intestines, pregnancy. No scientific data on contraindications in children under 8 years have been registered.

Side Effects (Ethnomedicinal Aqueous Infusion): In case of overdose, frequent urination, weakness, mild diarrhea, and decreased appetite are possible. Described with intake of infusion in a volume exceeding 500 ml per day.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Ethnomedicinal Aqueous Infusion): For body weight less than 40 kg, the dosage is reduced by 30 percent. For body weight more than 80 kg, an increase in dosage by 20 percent is permissible if there are no symptoms of gastrointestinal irritation.

Preparation method (Ethnomedicinal Aqueous Infusion): 3 grams of dried fruit rind are poured with 200 ml of boiling water (+95°C), infused under a lid in a porcelain or glass vessel for 15–20 minutes, and strained through a sieve. The infusion is not boiled and is consumed warm. To obtain 100 ml of infusion, 1.5 grams of raw material are used.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Ethnomedicinal Aqueous Infusion): The prepared infusion is not stored. Use immediately after preparation. Storage in a thermos for no more than 4 hours at a temperature of +40...+50°C is permissible, avoiding access to light and air.

Toxicity and Biosafety of Garcinia cambogia

Study of the toxicological parameters of Garcinia cambogia has shown a high biosafety profile upon oral use. According to preclinical data, the median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of aqueous fruit extract of Garcinia cambogia upon oral administration to laboratory rats is more than 5000 mg/kg body weight, which classifies the substance as practically non-toxic. With chronic use (for 90 days), no significant pathological changes in organs and systems were observed in animals.

Additionally, it is reported that hydroxycitric acid (HCA), the main biologically active compound of the fruits, also has low toxicity and does not cause mutagenic, carcinogenic, or teratogenic effects at standard dosages. It has been established that even with short-term intake at doses up to 2800 mg/day in humans, no pronounced toxic reactions were observed.

Thus, when therapeutic dosages and frequency of administration are observed, Garcinia cambogia can be considered a pharmacologically safe agent with a low risk of toxicity.

Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go...

Pharmacodynamics — Garcinia cambogia

Hydroxycitric acid, the main active component of the taxon, exhibits competitive inhibitory action on the enzyme ATP-citrate lyase, which leads to a decrease in lipogenesis and cholesterologenesis, a reduction in the activity of pancreatic α-amylase and intestinal α-glucosidase. In in vitro and in vivo experiments, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and antimicrobial effects have been identified. Modulation of cytokine synthesis, inhibition of COX and LOX activity, reduction of lipid peroxidation, and protection of cell membranes are noted. The effect on the level of neurotransmitters is described in terms of effects on the serotonin system, which may contribute to appetite reduction, however, emphasis is placed on systemic metabolic effects through enzymatic targets.

Reference: es.wikipedia.org

Pharmacokinetics — Garcinia cambogia

Upon oral administration, hydroxycitric acid is slowly absorbed; food intake slows and reduces its absorption, decreasing systemic exposure. Distribution occurs predominantly in the aqueous part of tissues, metabolism takes place in the liver with the participation of CYP enzymes, slow stages of conjugation are possible, and excretion is primarily in the urine. For extracts and infusions, metabolization of polyphenols by microflora is possible, which affects biological activity. With transdermal use, active components penetrate the epidermis, exerting local effects with minimal systemic absorption.

Mechanisms of Action and Scientific Rationale — Garcinia cambogia

Hydroxycitric acid inhibits ATP-citrate lyase, which leads to a decrease in the production of acetyl-CoA, a key precursor of lipid synthesis. This affects lipid metabolism at the level of the cytosol and mitochondria. Inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes is also observed, which slows down carbohydrate metabolism. A cascade of cytoprotective signaling pathways, including Nrf-2, is activated, and NF-κB expression is reduced, providing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The effect on serotonin receptors in the hypothalamus is described as enhancing the feeling of satiety. There are data on the modulating effect on macrophages, endothelial cells, and the AChE system, however, the confirmed mechanism of action remains enzymatic and metabolic.

Synergy — Garcinia cambogia

Cases of additive and potentiating interaction of taxon extracts with other plant components possessing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (for example, curcumin, green tea, resveratrol) are known, which in in vitro experiments is manifested by reduced ROS levels and an improved cytokine profile. Simultaneous use with drugs metabolized through the CYP enzyme system (for example, CYP2B6 substrates) may cause a protective or modulatory effect on the metabolism of these drugs, which requires caution.

Geography of Use and Traditional Medicine — Garcinia cambogia

Garcinia cambogia is traditionally used in the regions of South and Southeast Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. The plant is most widespread in the southern states of India, especially in Kerala and Karnataka, where it is known under the names "kodam puli" or "Malabar tamarind." In Thai traditional medicine, the fruits of Garcinia, known as "somkhag," are used as an auxiliary agent in cleansing practices and as part of special decoctions consumed in seasonal protocols for regulating digestion and cooling the body.

In Ayurvedic medicine, dried fruits are used as an element of bitter taste (tikta rasa) with a cooling effect, contributing to the balance of kapha dosha. Infusions and decoctions of the fruits were included in dietary rituals and programs for cleansing the gastrointestinal tract. In the Siddha medical schools, Garcinia was described as a component that supports lightness of the body and was used to regulate assimilation processes. In Sri Lanka, Garcinia is included in traditional culinary recipes not only as a spice but also as an element that "opens the appetite" and improves the digestion of fatty foods, especially fish.

In the territory of Cambodia and Laos, the fruits of the plant are used in traditional women's postpartum purification rituals. The dried fruit rind was often used in smoky fumigation rituals aimed at expelling "hot" spirits and restoring the balance between body and spirit. In rural areas of Thailand, Garcinia rind is used in the form of a boiled infusion, which is used not only as a drink but also in the form of wraps to "soften the body" after childbirth and during seasonal purification rituals.

According to archaeoethnobotanical data, the first use of Garcinia as a food and ritual plant is recorded in the southwestern part of the Indian subcontinent approximately in the 3rd century BC. References to the plant are present in ancient Ayurvedic manuscripts in Sanskrit, as well as in the oral herbal traditions of the Dravidian peoples. In some local cultures, Garcinia was considered a plant of power, used by shamans and healers in rituals to expel internal heaviness and stabilize internal heat.

Along with medical use, the plant also had a non-medical function. Dried fruits were sometimes hung in dwellings to ward off evil spirits and harmful influences. In the culture of some Malay communities, Garcinia was used as a component of ritual purification before marriage or an important family event. Smoking of dried rind with other bitter plants was practiced as part of purification rituals in certain monastic communities of Myanmar.

Thus, Garcinia cambogia has a stable ethnomedical and ritual significance in the culture of the peoples of South and Southeast Asia, covering both physical and symbolic-ritual spheres of application.