Monsoon rain has barely arrived and jamun, the deep purple berry more commonly known as black plum, has already taken over markets and wholesale mandis across the country. In Bhilwara too, mandi vendors say the fruit is moving fast this season even though it is currently retailing at around 200 rupees a kilo. Buyers do not seem to mind the price, because jamun is valued for far more than its sweet-tart flavour, doctors say the fruit offers real, tangible health benefits, and several physicians are now openly recommending it to patients for specific conditions.
A Fruit Bound to the Rainy Season
Dr Sanjay Kumar Sharma, an Ayurveda and Panchakarma specialist at the Rajkiya Ekikrit Ayush Chikitsalaya in Bhilwara, says jamun trees are usually found growing along the banks of rivers and ponds. Unlike most fruit, jamun is not available all year round, it appears on the tree for only two to three months, strictly during the monsoon season, and then disappears until the rains return the following year. Dr Sharma points out that almost every part of the jamun tree carries some benefit, its leaves, its bark and its fruit are all considered equally useful for health, not the fruit alone.
An Astringent Fruit That Strengthens the Heart
The fruit itself has a distinctly astringent, or kasaila, taste, and according to Dr Sharma, that same astringency is what helps strengthen the muscles of the heart. This, he says, makes jamun useful in managing heart-related ailments as well. The fruit is also naturally rich in fibre, and Dr Sharma describes this fibre content as working almost like a tonic for the heart, helping to keep the heart strong over time.
Packed With Vitamin C and Iron
Beyond its fibre content, Dr Sharma explains that jamun is loaded with assorted minerals and nutrients that the body needs. It carries an abundant supply of vitamin C, along with iron and other vitamins, all of which he describes as highly beneficial for overall health when the fruit is eaten regularly through the season.
Even the Seed Fights Diabetes
The benefits of jamun, Dr Sharma adds, are not confined to its pulp. The guthli, or seed, found inside the fruit is considered particularly effective for diabetes. The kernel inside that seed is dried and ground into a fine powder, which is then consumed on its own. Dr Sharma says that a person who takes this powder regularly, both in the morning and in the evening, can see a reduction in diabetes symptoms and may find real relief from the condition over time.
