Santol fruit stands out for its distinct flavor, which can range from sweet and milky to sour and tangy depending on its ripeness. People enjoy eating it fresh, while others prefer using it as an ingredient in jams, candies, and refreshing beverages. Cooks also use santol in savory dishes like sinigang, where its sourness enhances the broth. The fruit’s adaptability makes it a staple in many Filipino kitchens. Farmers cultivate santol not only for household use but also for local markets. This versatility has made it one of the more valued seasonal fruits in the Philippines.
Beyond its taste, santol carries a reputation for its medicinal benefits. Traditional healers use its bark, roots, and leaves to treat diarrhea, fever, and skin irritations. Locals also prepare decoctions from its parts to relieve stomach pains and other minor ailments. Some believe the fruit contains antioxidants that promote overall wellness. Modern studies have started exploring these health claims, giving the fruit more scientific recognition. These practices show how deeply santol connects to both cultural tradition and natural remedies.
Santol trees also hold a place in Philippine folklore and imagination. In Ilocos, people associate the tree with mythical creatures such as the “pugot,” a headless ghost said to dwell near its branches. Stories like these highlight how natural landmarks shape local beliefs. Villagers often pass down these tales to teach respect for nature and caution in wandering near forests. The presence of santol trees in rural landscapes strengthens their link to culture and heritage. Thus, the santol fruit embodies not only flavor and medicine but also mythology and storytelling.
Different Names of Santol
A native fruit tree of Southeast Asia, Santol is cherished for its round yellow-orange fruit with a sweet-to-sour flavor, its shade-giving canopy, and its deep roots in Filipino cuisine, traditional medicine, and folklore.
- Local Name: Santol
- English Name: Cotton Fruit
- Scientific Name: Sandoricum Koetjape
- Category: Native
Leaf Pattern and Benefits
Santol leaves display a unique and eye-catching pattern. They form as compound leaves with three leaflets, arranged spirally along the stem. Each leaflet usually appears elliptic to oblong-ovate, with pointed tips and rounded bases. Young leaves start out light green, mature into a deep green, and eventually shift to red or yellow before they fall. These color changes make the santol tree not only useful but also attractive in landscapes. Its foliage contributes to both the cultural and ecological value of the tree.
People have long valued the santol tree for its medicinal applications. Traditional healers prepare poultices from the leaves and bark to reduce fever. Roots address digestive problems, while leaves are used to ease diarrhea and dysentery. Decoctions of the leaves help treat colds, and some communities use the bark and roots for managing vaginal infections such as leucorrhea. Inflammatory conditions also find relief through santol-based remedies in Philippine folk medicine. These practices highlight the deep relationship between santol and traditional healing.
Modern studies now explore the therapeutic potential of santol beyond its traditional uses. Research suggests that santol bark extract may contain anticancer properties. The compound koetjapic acid, found in the tree, shows promise in inhibiting tumor growth and exhibiting cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. Folk practices also include santol for treating colic, serving as a tonic for mothers after childbirth, and even featuring in certain potions. These combined traditional and modern insights reveal santol as a fruit tree with remarkable cultural, medicinal, and scientific importance. By bridging folk knowledge and scientific inquiry, santol continues to stand out as a versatile and significant plant.
