Lomboy (Black Plums) Leaves: The Poor Man's Cigarettes

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In today's blog, we'll talk about the Lomboy tree and its many uses from its fruits, wood, and leaves. These trees grow not only in the Philippines but also in other tropical countries in Asia. In the Philippines, Lomboy trees grow well with any type of soil be it in rural or urban areas.

Wood 

The Lomboy tree wood is used as reliable materials for building houses, furniture such as tables, chairs, and other house furniture. 

Lomboy Fruits

Lomboy fruits are sweet, purple in color, and oblong in shape. Unfortunately, children cannot easily get their fruits as these trees grow bigger and taller. Aside from its tasty fruits, black plums fruits also have health benefits. Black plums fruits are packed with vitamin c, iron, and magnesium, and other nutrients. 

In the Philippines, some fully-grown trees grow as high as 30-40 meters in height. With its size it would be hard for children to get its fruits.

Lomboy Leaves 

The Lomboy leaves have been used by the Filipinos especially those who cannot afford to buy commercially available cigarettes. Buying Lomboy leaves is cheaper than buying commercial cigarettes. A few sticks of commercial cigarettes are equivalent to a bundle of hand-rolled dried Lomboy cigarette sticks. Each bundle of Lomboy cigarettes contains 50-100 sticks. 

But the only problem with buying Lomboy leaves is their availability. If you were in a city and want to buy Lomboy leaves it would be hard for you to buy them as these Lomboy leaves are only available in countryside markets.

Lomboy leaves as cigarettes are popular not only among the elderly but also among young smokers. But with the increasing prices of commercial cigarettes, the young generation of Filipino cigarette smokers have slowly preferred the Lomboy leaves.


Its popularity among smokers lies in its affordability. One can buy a bundle of Lomboy cigarettes for a few pesos. Another reason for its preference over commercial cigarettes is its perceived absence of nicotine.

Making Lomboy cigarettes 

Below are the steps to follow in making Lomboy leaves:

Step-1. Cut the tobacco leaves vertically. 

Step-2. Place the cut tobacco leaf into dried Lomboy leaf. 

Step-3. Hand-rolled each of the Lomboy leaves. 

Step-4. Heat each of the Lomboy leaves over kerosene or oil lamb for 3-5 seconds. 

For Lomboy cigarette producers, finished products are placed in cellophane with a certain number of Lomboy cigarettes in each cellophane and they are ready for distribution to their patrons. 

Source of Income 

In the Philippines, Lomboy cigarettes industry has become a source of income for thousands of Filipinos. To them, earning a small amount especially during this pandemic where money is hard to come by can be of great help in their daily financial needs. 

Image: (Lomboy fruits & leaves) Dinesh Valke/Flickr 

Trivia: 

● The answer to the question, "What national event will be commemorated on June 12, 2021?


Answer: The Philippine Independence Day. The Filipinos will be commemorating the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain on June 12, 1898.



https://philippinesocietyandculture.blogspot.com/2023/01/lomboy-leaves-black-plums-alternative.html


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