Garcinia Pedunculata

Botanical

What is it

Garcinia pedunculata, called amlavetas or bor thekera in northeastern India, is a tropical fruit tree related to Garcinia cambogia. The fruit is used in Indian cuisine and traditional Ayurveda.

How it works

Like its better-known relative Garcinia cambogia, Garcinia pedunculata contains hydroxycitric acid (HCA) and other organic acids. HCA has been studied as a possible appetite-suppressing and fat-storage-inhibiting compound through ATP-citrate lyase inhibition. Clinical evidence specific to Garcinia pedunculata is more limited than for cambogia. The published clinical record for any Garcinia HCA species shows small and inconsistent effects on body weight.

Dosage

There is no established daily intake recommendation. Supplement label doses for HCA-containing Garcinia extracts typically range from 500 to 1,500 mg per day.

When and how to take it

HCA-containing Garcinia products are typically taken 30 to 60 minutes before meals. Time of day is not critical.

1 commercial form

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Garcinia pedunculata fruit extract

Standardized for HCA content in some products; less common than Garcinia cambogia.

HCA absorbed in small intestine.

Safety

Generally well tolerated short term. Reported issues include digestive upset and headache. There have been rare case reports of liver toxicity associated with multi-ingredient Garcinia-containing weight-loss supplements; causality is debated.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in people with liver disease or a history of statin-related muscle issues. Discontinue and seek medical advice for any unexplained abdominal pain or jaundice.

Interactions

Theoretical interactions with blood sugar medications, statins, and warfarin. Limited formal interaction data.

Food sources

Amlavetas (cooked)

Amount
1/4 cup
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Does Garcinia pedunculata help weight loss?⌄

Evidence is limited and inconsistent. Effects, when measured, are small and not clinically meaningful for most people.

Is it safe?⌄

Short-term use appears generally well tolerated. There are rare case reports of liver issues with multi-ingredient Garcinia supplements; discontinue if you notice abdominal pain or jaundice.

References

Garcinia Pedunculata on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Garcinia Pedunculata on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Garcinia Pedunculata (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.