Garcinia cambogia is a tropical tree native to India and Southeast Asia, typically found in evergreen forests. Its fruit has long been used in traditional medicine, especially as a tea for inflammation and stomach issues, and its rind has served as a natural food preservative.

The fruit rind contains Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA) — a compound studied for its potential to suppress appetite and support weight management.

Today, Garcinia cambogia extracts rich in HCA are widely marketed as dietary supplements believed to aid in appetite control, weight loss, and metabolism support, while the fruit rind continues to be used for its culinary and preservative purposes.