JAMBUL JAMBULAN, SYZYGIUM CUMINII
SYZYGIUM CUMINII, Malabar plum, Java plum, jambolan is native to India, it has had several botanical names: Syzygium jambolanum, Eugenia cumini, Eugenia jambolana.
It has been introduced in the majority of warm countries but it can sometimes become invasive and is considered an invasive species (Hawaii, Florida and some Pacific islands).
It is a beautiful tree with evergreen, very full foliage, whose fruits look like olives 2 to 4 cm long, they are first green then become almost black when ripe.
The pulp of this small fruit is most often strongly colored red, it is tangy and a little astringent, the core is greenish.
When one eat the fruit of syzygium cuminii, the abundance of anthocyanin pigments colors the tongue purple.
SYZYGIUM CUMINII fruit tree and sacred plant
In the right season the Syzygium cuminii trees are covered with clusters of small purplish to black fruits, birds and children enjoy them, despite their astringency and sometimes their bitterness and their ability to color everything purple, fingers, tongues and clothes.
This small wild fruit, rich in tannins and anthocyanin pigments, is very common in southern India and neighboring countries.
It is consumed raw, in juice and in the form of jam (cooking reduces the astringency of the tannins), like many fruits, especially well colored, it is rich in vitamin A and vitamin C.
Anthocyanosides are vascular protectors and anti-inflammatory.
The fermented juice produces a wine which quickly turns into vinegar and which is consumed in this form.
This small fruit is very respected in the southern states of India where it is endemic because according to tradition, Rama, king of Ayodhya, and avatar of the God Vishnu, would have survived thanks to it for many years in the woods where he had taken refuge.
SYZYGIUM CUMINII, MEDICINAL PLANT
The main interest of this plant is the abundance of its medicinal tannins and the absence of other associated toxic natural substances (examples: alkaloids, saponins).
The leaves, bark and seeds of the fruits are used especially in Asia in Indian Ayurvedic and Unani medicines as well as in traditional Chinese medicine.
Syzygium cuminii is also used as a medicinal plant in countries where it was recently introduced (South America and the Pacific Islands).
- BARK DECOCTION is very astringent, it can be used to tan leather and slightly diluted to clean wounds or burns, calm the irritation of oozing dermatoses.
- An INFUSION-DECOCTION OF THE LEAVES is also astringent (a handful of leaves in 1/2 to 1 liter of water boil for 1 minute then infuse for 10 minutes).
The concentration of tannins being lower than with the bark, we can use this latter preparation: - Also externally for the same indications (wounds, burns, dermatoses).
- As a mouthwash and gargle for all mouth infections (canker sores, ulcers and wounds) and tonsillitis.
- In sitz baths or vaginal injections.
- Orally in case of diarrhea or colitis, a cup of decoction infusion 1 to 3 times a day.
SYZYGIUM CUMINII, ANTI-DIABETIC PLANT
For many years, SYZYGIUM CUMINII SEEDS have been prescribed by Indian doctors in cases of moderate type 2 DIABETES or prediabetes.
The most flexible preparation is the ALCOHOLIC TINCTURE (1/10) with seeds or whole fruits of syzygium cuminii.
Example of dosage: 5 drops 3 times a day, which can be doubled or tripled but being careful because if the effect of the phytomedicine is felt the blood sugar will drop with a risk of hypoglycemia especially if the treatment of diabetes has not been modified.
So it is better to start treatment with small doses and increase if necessary but very gradually.
CULTIVATION OF SYZYGIUM CUMINII
The propagation of this tree is easily done by seeds but they have a fairly short survival time.
Frugivorous birds and fruit bats disperse this tree very effectively, far too much in certain regions with fragile ecosystems such as the Pacific Islands for example where it is considered an invasive plant.
When planting it, you must take into account its fairly rapid and imposing development and the importance of its very dense and permanent foliage which can hinder the development of neighboring plants.
SYZYGIUM CUMINII wood is quite hard and appreciated both as firewood and lumber.
Copyright 2024: Dr Jean-Michel Hurtel