Jamun (Java Plum): Uses and Benefits

It is a storehouse of nutrients and medicinal properties. This deep purple coloured fruit is widely loved for its unique sweet-sour taste and numerous health benefits.  Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, berries have been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine to control diabetes, improve digestion and boost immunity. Jamun juice, jamun seeds and eating fresh jamun in the morning is like a panacea for diabetic patients.

Nutritional Value of Jamun

• Rich in: Vitamin C, iron, calcium, antioxidants, and fiber
• Low in: Calories and fat
• Contains: Glucoside jamboline, which may help regulate blood sugar levels

Medicinal Benefits of Jamun

1- Jamun fruit

• Astringent for intestines
• Astringent for mouth
• Diuretic
• Anti-diabetic.

2- Jamun bark

• Astringent for intestines
• Anthelmintic
• Digestive
• Asthma
• Ulcer
• Dysenteric
• Blood purifier

3- Jamun seeds

• Anti-diabetic properties

Essential or medicinal benefits of jamun

1.  For Diabetes

• In diabetic-treated rats, the antidiabetic activity of jamun seed powder was observed as an increase in body weight and improvement in peak blood glucose levels.
• In rats, the effects of oral administration of the extract of jamun seed powder on body weight, fasting blood glucose levels, and pancreatic islets were investigated.

2- For Cholesterol

• Treatment with jamun seed extract reduced the high levels of plasma lipids seen in diabetic rats to near-normal levels.
• By regulating metabolism in the liver and kidneys, the oral intake of jamun seed extract lowered serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol.

3. For Antioxidants

• The administration of jamun-kernel extract orally to diabetic rats reduced the levels of certain thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and hydroperoxides in liver and kidney tissues to near-normal values.
• With more research on humans, Jamun may be useful in boosting antioxidant levels for slowing down ageing and reducing levels of inflammation.  
• There was a considerable recovery in glutathione levels, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver and kidneys

4. For the Liver

• The effect of jamun pulp extract in the rat model was investigated for its liver protective abilities.
• Rats were given two different dosages of jamun, and the conventional medication silymarin showed lower enzyme levels and higher total protein and albumin levels.
• Jamun pulp repaired the liver cells rapidly and helped bring the enzyme levels closer to normal levels.

5. For Allergy

• Jamun leaf extract also directly affected mast cell degranulation, inhibiting in vitro histamine release induced by the mast cell degranulation, i.e., reduced allergic reaction due to histamine release.
• The presence of flavonoids in the Jamun leaf extract may be responsible for these anti-allergic properties

6. For Kidney

• The kidney protective activity of the active principle extracted from jamun fruit pulp was examined in rats.
• In diabetic rats, treatment with the extract significantly decreased fasting blood glucose levels, plasma creatinine levels, blood urea, urine volume, microalbuminuria, and urinary sugar levels[3].
• All of these significantly aid in improving kidney health in the long term. 

7. For Anaemia

• The anti-anemic activity of the extract from the seeds of jamun has been reported.
• The seed extract of jamun was found to increase total haemoglobin, as per research

8. For the Brain

• The effects of jamun seeds on central nervous system activity in mice were investigated.
• Jamun extracts had a significant protective effect on the central nervous system

How to use Jamun?

Consult an Ayurveda doctor and understand the correct dosage and form of Jamun that can help improve your health and life.