Health Properties of Jamun

Jamun, a very popular seasonal fruit being sold everywhere in India, has immense health benefits. It is understood with different names in different regions in India: these names are java plum, black plum, jambul and Indian blackberry. The botanical name of Jamun is Eugenia jambolana or Syzygium cumini L (myrtaceae family). It is usually planted as a roadside avenue tree.

Jamun Fruit

You might have seen this oblong, ovoid, crimson black fruit. You might have consumed the jamun fruit as raw and its pulp would have left an unusual dark purple tinge on your tongue for several hours. It will also leave a grainy feeling on your tongue. The juice of ripe fruit is used for preparing sauces as well as beverages. You may preserve the fruit by drying and adding salt and you may use it as a digestive powder. Please do not consume unripe jamun fruits.

Nutritive Properties

The presence of oxalic acids, tannic acids gallic acid and certain alkaloids makes to feel such an astringency taste. According to the nutritionists the fruit has rich in carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. It comprises glucose and fructose as principal sugars. The fruit has also rich in minerals such as manganese, zinc, iron, calcium, sodium and potassium.

Medical Properties

Jamun is recommended for kapha and pitta doshas. The ripe jamun fruit is well recognized as a liver stimulant, digestive, carminative and coolant. Their hypoglycemic (lowering blood sugar) property is well recognized in Ayurveda and Siddha system of medicine in India.

Seeds and Diabetes

The fresh seeds of jamun fruit (avoid dried seeds) has more varied uses than any other part of the tree. The seeds reduce blood sugar levels and glucosuria in diabetic patients. The seed is also used in various alternative healing methods in Unani.

Healing of Other Ailments

The fruit juice is used in diarrhea and dysentery and its effectiveness is noted when the patient passes blood-mixed stool. The leaves provide the best remedy for ulcerative colitis. The leaves and bark are used for gingivitis and controlling blood pressure. The decoction of the Jamun bark is also used as tonic.

You may straight away use the ash of the jamun leaves as your tooth powders and is a very effective remedy for spongy gums. Its regular use strengthens the teeth by checking bleeding and gum infection. The jamun powder also controls the frequency of your urine.

Recipe 1

Jamun Fruit Juice

Ingredients

1) 10 Jamun

2) One tsp lemon juice

3) 1 tsp sugar

4) ¼ spoon table salt

Method

1) Remove the seeds from the Jamun and cut into small pieces.

2) Grind the pieces in the mixer and strain the mixture by passing through sieve.

3) Add lemon juice, sugar free powder and salt.

4) Stir well

5) Serve chilled

Reference:

Jamun- The purple fruit http://food.sify.com/fullstory.php?id=14525560