Cashews are nutrient-dense, supporting heart, bone, and brain health due to their magnesium, copper, and antioxidant content. Cashew extracts have shown antidiabetic and antimicrobial effects in traditional medicine.
Cashew nuts (Anacardium occidentale L.) are primarily used as a food source and have various other applications, including medicinal, industrial, and ornamental uses. The edible kernel is consumed as a snack, ingredient in cooking, and in the production of non-dairy alternatives. The cashew apple (pseudofruit) is also edible and can be made into juice, jams, or beverages.
Food and Culinary Uses:
- Edible Kernel: The cashew nut is a common snack and ingredient in various dishes, from sweet and savory to milk alternatives.
- Cashew Apple: The fleshy pseudofruit (cashew apple) is used to make juice, jams, beverages, and even alcoholic beverages.
Medicinal Uses:
- Traditional Medicine: Cashew parts, including the nut, bark, leaves, and juice, have been used traditionally for various ailments like coughs, colds, stomachaches, and skin problems.
- Research on Potential Benefits: Some studies suggest potential benefits like reducing blood pressure, helping with diabetes, and protecting against certain types of cancer.
Other Uses:
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- Industrial Applications: Cashew nut shell liquid is used in various industrial applications, including lubricants, waterproofing, and paints.
- Reclamation: Cashew trees can be used to reclaim poor soils and control erosion due to their tolerance of harsh conditions.
- Intercropping: Cashew trees can be intercropped with other crops like cowpea, groundnuts, and horsegram.
- Ornamental: Some species of Anacardium have ornamental value, with attractive leaves and flowers.
