Purple Punch: Jamun, the next best thing to mangoes during summer!
The dark horse of the fruit kingdom: Jamun fruit is often ignored as compared to the king of fruits-mangoes. Mango with its vibrant color and irresistible taste steals the show every summer. We at Vadodara’s GetFarmfresh always try to keep our best foot forward in bringing the season’s best to our patrons.
The unsung drupe of the summers
As the king rules with its delectable and appealing looks across the length and breadth of India, it tends to show a cold shoulder to the swarthy drupe. Hanging out from its eloquently tall trees, flaunting its lush branches throughout the year giving shelter to many. Kala Jamun is termed in English often fails to attract the masses.
As the famous adage by John Keats goes ‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever’ but this summer fruit breaks the ice purely with its positive charm.
Myth, Mythology & More
This legendary fruit holds its roots back to our Indian mythology and was pristinely known as the fruit of God’s. Another interesting trivia comes from ancient puranic texts which talk of a terrestrial world known as Jambudvīpa, which together in the cosmologies of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, was the realm where mortal beings lived. Jamun has been quoted in the Puranas in diversified forms. It is said that Lord Ram lived on the Jamun for years after his exile from Ayodhya. His skin is often compared to the slick texture of the fruit, and temples constructed in his honour will always house at least one Jamun tree. Lord Megha – the God of the Clouds – is said to have descended onto Earth in the form of a Jamun, which is why the colour of the fruit is as dark and stormy as the fierce monsoon clouds.
The ancient Puranas narrate the splitting of the cosmos into seven concentric island continents, at the center of which was the Jambudvīpa, literally translating to “the land of the Jambu trees”. In the Viṣṇupurāṇa, these trees are described to be as large as elephants and when the fruit they bear becomes rotten and falls onto the mountainous ground, a beautiful river is formed from their rich purple juice. Its prominence is felt since ages when it was available for just four aanas. Lutyens Delhi used to be a haven for Jamun. So, the city’s bond with Jamun fruit can be dated back to the Arabian visitor Ibn Battuta’s visit to India. Hold your breath! Even the Britishers couldn’t overlook the luscious branches of the spindly trees cozily holding the black diamonds shining across the streets of Delhi.
“The tree of silence bears the fruits of peace”.
Arabian Proverb
There’s more to this tiny drupe than just history. It is packed with some unprecedented benefits. The Kala Jamun is known to relieve stomach pain and is carminative, antiscorbutic, and diuretic. Jamun vinegar is good to reduce the enlargement of the spleen, diarrhea, and those who have urine retention problems. Jamun’s polyphenolic compounds are effective against cancer, heart diseases, diabetes, asthma, and arthritis. Various digestive disorders: flatulence, bowel spasm, stomach disorders, dysentery are cured by Jamun.
The benefits of Jamun are infinite when it comes to diabetes treatment. From top to bottom of the Jamun tree is an embodiment of anti-diabetic elements. Jamun helps to convert starch into energy and keep your blood sugar levels in check. Jamun reduces the symptoms of diabetes like frequent urination and thrusting. The extract of bark, seeds, and leaves are too beneficial in the treatment of diabetes. In a recent study, it has been found that the dried alcoholic extract of the seeds is good to reduce the level of blood sugar. The decoction of the bark and powdered seed is good in the treatment of diabetes. The extract of the bark, seeds, and leaves are good in decreasing the amount of sugar in the urine (glycosuria). Jamun seeds powder contains jambolana, a type of glucose, which helps to control the conversion of starch into sugar.
Jamun has astringent properties that help to prevent acne, blemishes, wrinkles, and pimples. Its consumption is good to increase the hemoglobin count due to more iron. The presence of vitamin C is beneficial for skin and immunity.
Jamun juice has many health and medicinal benefits. Being a seasonal fruit, one should try to have more and more amount of Jamun juice during the month of June, July, and August. Some of the amazing and surprising health benefits of Jamun juice are given below.
- Drinking Jamun juice is used to treat digestive disorders such as diarrhea, dysentery, and dyspepsia.
- In the case of diarrhea, Jamun juice is beneficial after mixing a little amount of salt in it.
- Jamun juice along with curd is good for digestive problems.
- Teeth related problems can be solved by applying Jamun juice or by drinking it.
- Jamun juice is beneficial in treating piles and hemorrhoids.
- Drinking fresh fruit juice helps in cough and asthma.
- Jamun juice enhances your immune system.
- It protects you from cold and acts as an anti-aging agent.
- The juice of the fruits is given in spleen enlargement and urine retention.
- Jamun juice should be taken to overcome the problem of female sterility.
Don’t wait for the season to get over. Make those childhood memories come alive again, with purple tongues! Order now with the Get Farm Fresh App!
