Naval Pazham

Tamil Nadu:Naval Pazham Andhra Pradesh:Neredu(నేరేడు) Kerala: njavalpazham Kannada:Nerale Hannu Maharashtra:Jambhul Marathi :जांभूळ Jamun fruit, which is known in Tamil as Naaval Pazham or Nagapazham, also called as Java Plum, Black Plum, Jambul and Indian blackberry is a precious but humble fruit. It is rich in iron, minerals, vitamin A and vitamin C and also acts as a coolant and induces digestive power. The fruit is said to be good for diabetics and also for purification of blood. The seeds are used in ayurvedic and unani medicines for digestive ailments. Even Diabetics can consume this fruit or drink its juice without increasing the sugar level. However, due to its astringent flavor and for the purple stain it leaves on the tongue, the fruit do not find a place in the dining table. The fruit once sold in street corners and front of every school for a nominal price, is turning out to be more expensive now, because the fruit is not cultivated on a large-scale, and since it has to travel a long distance. It is a seasonal fruit and available from June to August. If you happen to see this fruit in the market, do not hesitate to buy it. About Jamun (Jambul) And The Jamun Tree Latin Name : Syzygium cumini In India, the Syzygium cumini tree and its fruit are known variously as Jamun, Jambul, Jaam, Jambul etc. Worldwide, it is known by some other names like, Java Plum, Black Plum, Indian blackberry, Portuguese Plum, Jambolan Plum etc. The jamun tree is native to India and its bordering countries like Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh Sri Lanka and even Indonesia. In 1911, this tree was introduced in Florida by the USDA. The tree grows equally well in both the tropical and the sub tropical regions. Though organised cultivation is not done much, a lot of trees are grown individually by people having land in their backyards. In the wild however, it grows all over India. It is a large and hardy evergreen tree and lives for over a hundred years. It starts flowering in the month of March and continues till May. Thereafter, with the onset of monsoon in June it starts bearing fruit. The flowers are white and have a sweet fragrance. The fruits do not ripen at the same time and are picked daily. Jambul fruits resemble grapes and are oblong or ovoid in shape. Only ripe fruits are picked as they do not ripen once they are picked. They have a single seed and a soft dark purple colored almost black skin and a lighter purple flesh. When eaten, the fruits coat the mouth and the tongue a deep purple color that stays for a few hours.. The fruit is sweet and tart and leaves a slight astringent action in the mouth. The Jamun tree is revered by the Buddhists. Jamun Tree In Indian Culture In Indian mythology, Lord Rama is believed to have subsisted on the fruits of the jamun tree during his 14 year exile in the forests. Jamun is therefore also considered as " fruit of the Gods". Lord Krishna's skin color was shyam (purple) and is compared to the fruit's color in the Indian Sanskrit epic "Mahabharata". The leaves are used to decorate marriage pandals.( A pandal is a temporary fabricated structure to hold occassions like weddings, prayers, meetings etc). Down South in India, in the Telegu culture, eyes that are beautiful, are compared to this fruit. Uses Of The Jamun Tree All the parts of the jamun or jambul tree find a wide variety of uses. The wood is exceptionally strong and water resistant. Hence, it is used to make bullock cart wheels and agricultural implements. It is also used in house building. It is used to make railway sleepers (wooden planks on which the steel rails are laid). Water pumps which are located in wells are also supported by planks made from this wood. Furniture is also made from the wood, though not much, as the wood is tough to work upon. The wood is used as firewood and yields charcoal too. The leaves are used in a variety of tooth powder brands. They are also used as fodder for cattle, sheep and goats.They also act as food for tassar silkworms. The essential oils are used in soap making and perfumes. The bark, leaves and fruits are used medicinally. The bark is used in tanning and dyeing industries. The flowers attract bees and are a source of honey. The flowers are rich in nectar and yield high quality honey when apiculture is done close by. Jams, jellies, squashes, preserves, vinegar, juices, beverages, pickles and wine are made from the jamun fruits. Nutrients in Jamun or Jambul The ripe Jambul fruit contains Glucose & Fructose are the major forms of sugar. It also contains Vitamins C & A, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, choline, folic acid, malaic acid, sodium ,potassium, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc and iron. Anthocyanins are present in appreciable quantities and are the reason for the antioxidant activity of the fruit. The stem & bark contains tannin, gallic acid, resin, phytosterols. The seed contains the glycoside, jamboline, gallic acid and essential oils. The leaves contain essential oils. The flower contains terpenoids. Some Health Benefits Of Jamun Fruit In General It is digestive and activates the liver and spleen. It is a good remedy for urinary diseases & diabetes. Regulates heartbeat. Purifies blood, cures anemia and stops skin eruptions. Stops diarrhea & dysentery. Relieves throat affections and other respiratory diseases. Removes worms. Vinegar made from the fruit gives relief in colitis, indigestion, stomach diseases. It relieves gas and improves digestive power. It breaks renal stones. Some Specific Uses Of Jamun (Jambul) For Healing DIABETES Eat jamun daily. Boil 250 gms of the fruit in 500 ml water till they are soft. When cool crush the fruit in the water. Strain and drink 3 times daily. Mix 1/2 tsp powdered seeds with 1 tsp honey once daily in the evening. BED WETTING IN CHILDREN Give 1 tsp ground seeds to the child with water. NIGHTFALL Take 4 gms seed powder twice a day with water, in the morning and in the evening. BLOODY DYSENTERY Take 20 gms powdered seeds. Mix in 1/2 cup water and drink twice a day. Add 10 gms bark in 500 ml water. Boil till it reduces to 1/4 th. Strain and cool. Take 20-25 ml of this 3 times a day. DIARRHEA Take 2 leaves (they should neither be tender nor too thick). Grind them, add a little rock salt and make a pill. Take a pill each in the morning and evening. It relieves immediately. HOARSENESS Grind some seeds. Add just enough honey to make pills. Suck 2 pills 3 -4 times a day. It relieves all problems associated with the voice. This remedy is very good for speakers and singers. DENTAL & GUM INFECTIONS Mix ash of jamun leaves and ash of almond shells. Add a little peppermint to make an excellent tooth powder which not only cleans teeth but stops bleeding and relieves gum infections. Rub ash of leaves on the teeth and gums. It stops bleeding and makes the teeth strong. If you suffer from pyorrhea wash the mouth with a mouthful of jamun juice. RINGWORM Diluted juice when applied on the ringworm affected area cures it. EXCESSIVE URINATION The powdered seeds give relief from this problem. CONJUNCTIVITIS Boil 15-20 tender leaves in 400 ml water till it gets reduced to 100 ml. Cool and wash the eyes with this decoction. THROAT PROBLEMS Drink 10-15 ml juice for relief. BLEEDING PILES Grind some tender leaves to make 20 ml juice.Add some sugar to it. Take 3 such doses everyday for relief. Grind 10 gms leaves. Add to 250 ml cow's milk. Stir well and take 3 doses of this everyday for 1 week. It stops bleeding. BLOODY DIARRHEA Mix 2-3 gms of powdered bark with 2 tsp honey. Add to milk and drink. GAS & BLOATED STOMACH Take 10 ml of jamun vinegar for relief in water. VOMITING Add a few pieces of mango & jamun to 500 ml water. Boil till the water reduces to 1/4 th. Cool and drink about 10 ml to stop vomiting. ENLARGED LIVER, SPLEEN & OTHER LIVER PROBLEMS Drink 2 tsp jamun vinegar daily. RENAL STONE Eat the fruit. To 10 ml juice add some rock salt. Take 2 times daily. Mix 10-15 gms tender leaves add 2-3 black peppercorns. Crush them well. Take 2 times a day. Take 1/2 tsp powdered seeds with yogurt daily. All these will help in breaking the stone and removing it. WOUNDS Put 2-3 gms powdered bark on the wound for faster healing. WHITE BURN MARKS Make a paste of some leaves and apply on the spot. INSECT BITES Grind 2 leaves. Mix in water and drink for relief. Medicinal Value Of Jamun Fruit Some Precautions Eat jamun after meals. In case of those having swelling on the body, women who have just delivered and those who suffer constant vomiting DO NOT consume it. Always sprinkle rock salt before consuming jamun. If you feel uneasy after eating jamun, drink buttermilk to which some salt has been added or eat dried ginger, amla. Over ripe friut can cause hyperacidity and gas tetention in the stomach. If this happens take 1/2 tsp roasted cumin powder with a pinch of black salt. DO NOT drink milk after eating jamun. RECIPE FOR JAMUN SMOOTHIE Ingredients 1/2 cup yoghurt/ fresh curd 1 cup jamuns de seeded 1 tbsp sugar 2-3 drops vanilla essence Chopped jamun fruit for dressing Method Blend all ingredients till they’re smooth and frothy. Top with chopped jamun and serve Serves: 2 persons Calorie count: 130 K cal RECIPE FOR JAMUN DRINK Ingredients 1 cup jamuns deseeded 1/2 cup apple 1 tbsp sugar 1 tsp lemon juice 1/4 tsp black salt Method Put the jamuns and apple pieces in a mixer and blend until smooth. Sieve and add lemon juice, sugar and black salt. Blend once more and serve chilled. Serves: 2 persons Calorie count: 90 K cal Java PlumJamun Juice Ingredients Equal parts jamun and water (6 cups Jamun, 6 cups water) 1 teaspoon whole all spice berries 1 (3-inch) piece cinnamon stick 3 whole cloves Method Wash jamuns, drain and add to a large bowl With clean hands or gloved with latex gloves, squish the jamun Add water and spices to a pot and bring to a boil. Let boil for 2 minutes Pour boiled water and spices into the bowl with mashed jamun, stir, and cover and let steep overnight Strain juice after overnight steeping then using clean hands, squeeze excess juice from pulp Pour juice into bottle and refrigerate (optional – sweeten to taste) Jamun Powder Jamun powder is made from dried jamun seeds. The seeds can be dried in the sun. Once dried they become very hard, hence it is better to break them into smaller pieces before grinding it in the home grinder. Ground seeds can be kept in a bottle and consuming 1 tsp of this jamun powder every morning on an empty stomach helps manage diabetes better. The essential Indian blackberry The Indian blackberry also known as jambhul, Jamun, also known as Jaam/Kalojaam, jambas, jamun, jambolan.. it has great Nutritional content and health benefits. This berry is loaded with minerals. The Jamun is used to treat Diabetes. It is also used Disclaimerrgy may have to avoid eating them. (Medical disclaimer).