JAMBUL TREE (JAMUN, EUGENIA JAMBOLANA)
It is fruit of summer and raining seasons. It has a hard seed in it. Its colour is dark indigo, blackish-brown, cherry-colour. Highest quality is called ‘Rajajambu’ (grown by grafting) which is sweet, tasty, watery, has enough of pulp and a small seed. The medium variety has bigger seed, less of pulp and water and its taste is also has bigger seed, less of pulp and water, and its taste is also not sweetish. Price of jambul will depend on its pulp content and large size. Its juice can stain clothes, hands, lips and inner mouth.
It is found abundantly in Bihar (Bhagalpur side) and west Bengal (Purulia and Bankura) where silk-worms are reared on trees of Jambul. Its rind is fleshly, containing within it juice and, a hard seed. It is astringent, anti-diabetic, subsides bile, provides relief in vomiting and travel sickness and is also a preventive of nausea, vomiting, and sea, land or air sickness. It purifies blood, quenches thirst, purifies blood. Its seeds, bark and fruits are used for various medicinal preparations. Its bark, being astringent, is boiled in water to provide relief in asthma, ulcers, sore throat, dysentery, bronchitis. Its fruit juice is used as preventive and curative of heat and its fall out effects.
To subside loose motions, its juice, derived from fresh bark, is used. Its seeds are dried, pounded and finely pulverised for lowering sugar level in the blood. Burning sensation in the whole body, but more so in feet and hands, is removed by using juice of its ripe fruit. In acute diarrhoea, especially due to summer complaints or due to eating of mangoes in excess, its juice or sherbat (syrup) is a boon in summer and rainy season. Us detailed medicinal uses are being spelled hereinafter.
Chemical Properties: 12% Tannin is found in its bark. In addition, it contains Fat, Galic acid, Albumin, Glucocide, Fragrant yellow oil, Elegic acid etc.
Medicinal Efficacy and usages of Jambul
Jambul in Diabetes: Eating fresh pulp of Jambul or powdered seed content (2.5 to 5 mg) with water will remove sugar from urine. Also fruit of fresh juice or Jambul Vinegar will keep sugar level, in blood and urine, within normal limits. It will also quench thirst, reduce quantity of water intake, reduce also quantity of urine. Never take milk after taking Jambul, in any form. Syrup of Jambul is also useful for diabetes but, due its excessive content, it should not be used by diabetics.
Nausea & Vomiting: Vomiting and nausea can be suitably controlled by juice of mango and jambul leaves. If there are only dried leaves of both the fruits, then boil the dried leaves and take 5-10 ml of the decoction after cooling down.
Stomach disorders: 5-10 ml of vinegar of Jambul, either in pure or diluted (with water) form, will relieve ache in the stomach, anorexia, splenitis, enlargement of liver, indigestion and excess of flatus, caused by excessive intake of mangoes. Some salt may also be added to it. Juice of fresh fruit, with some rock/black salt, will also provide relief in forementioned and other problems of stomach disorder.
Wounds: Applying paste of Jambul leaves will help in healing wounds but ensure that wound is cleansed properly before such application. Wound can be pre-washed with margosa leaves liquid—obtained after boiling the leaves. It is germicidal also.
Prevention of Stone Formation: Fresh jambul juice or else powdered seed of it will prevent formation of stones in urinary passage, kidney and bladder. It is both preventive and curative.
Stangury: Juice of fresh fruit, if taken for a few days, will remove strangury and also facilitate flow of urine and restore its natural flow.
Caution for Diabetics: Syrup of Jambul should never be taken by diabetics because of its high sugar content. Even juice of fruit should be taken in rare and moderate quantity because its juice also contains sugar. Vinegar of jambul is best form of its use. Still better is use of its powder of seeds which should be taken 5 mg twice daily with water
PINEAPPLE (ANAARAS, ANANAS)
Pineapple is a tropical fruit and is used in juice form or eaten after it has been reduced to slices. Its inner shaft is quite hard and is not eatable and that is why it is segregated before use. Commercial fruit juice sellers do not segregate the hard portion; hence such juice is harmful. Its juice is an excellent appetiser, removes cough and also provides relief in sore throat. It is a toner and rejuvenator of body and helps to expel foreign and harmful deposits. It is said to be a specific remedy in diphtheria. It also removes constipation, tones up digestive, is laxative and for this very reason, it must never be given to a pregnant lady.
Caution: It should never be eaten or its juice taken a empty stomach, as its effect is poisonous, if even taken on the empty stomach. Its juice is said to be harmful for stomach. It is also harmful for the pregnant women, as mentioned above, since it not only contracts the uterus but also does not let the foetus develops, It may also cause premature abortion and uterine bleeding. People with bilious temperament should also avoid taking it, though it is claimed that its ripe fruit and juice provide protection from heat, quenches thirst, maintains balance of water in the body, is carminative but, in some cases, may cause acidity, flatulence and abdominal disturbance.
Medicinal uses of Pineapple: Cautions on use of pineapple have been indicated to forewarn the readers, and not frighten or create any panicky sensation. Its juice and jam are often used to enrich semen, to increase male potency, to strengthen, muscles and tissues of the body. Its jam subsides hyper-acidity and excess of bile, strengthens heart. Those who are amenable to cold and its bad effects should avoid its use, in any form, but others can derive mileage from its use. Its judicious intake will prove beneficial in ascites, diabetes, impotency, disturbance in menstrual cycles, jaundice etc.