Kokum
Kokum
Kokum is also known as the “Indian Butter Tree” and is a fruit-bearing tree. All parts of Kokum i.e., (fruits, peels and seeds) have plenty of health benefits. The dried peel of the fruit is used as a flavoring agent in curries.
Kokum helps in weight loss by reducing the production of fatty acids as well as increasing the secretion of a hormone (serotonin) which suppresses appetite. Kokum, when taken orally, might also be useful in managing gastric ulcers due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Drinking Kokum juice helps to expel heat, reduce acidity and relieve sunstroke. Kokum juice also helps manage the blood sugar levels by increasing insulin secretion due to its anti-diabetic and antioxidant properties.
Kokum oil is considered to be good for the skin due to its antioxidant property that helps reduce wrinkles and delays the signs of aging. It can be used to manage skin allergies and burns[7][8].
Kokum helps in weight loss by reducing the production of fatty acids as well as increasing the secretion of a hormone (serotonin) which suppresses appetite. Kokum, when taken orally, might also be useful in managing gastric ulcers due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Drinking Kokum juice helps to expel heat, reduce acidity and relieve sunstroke. Kokum juice also helps manage the blood sugar levels by increasing insulin secretion due to its anti-diabetic and antioxidant properties.
Kokum oil is considered to be good for the skin due to its antioxidant property that helps reduce wrinkles and delays the signs of aging. It can be used to manage skin allergies and burns[7][8].
What are the synonyms of Kokum?
Garcinia indica, Birondd, Birondi, Kokummara, Dhupadamara, Kokan, Murgalmera, Murgal, Ratamba, Amsole, Amasul, Punampuli, Brindonia tallow tree, Mangosteen oil tree, Wild mangosteen [1].
What is the source of Kokum?
Plant Based
Benefits of Kokum
1. Indigestion
Kokum helps to manage indigestion. According to Ayurveda, indigestion means the state of an incomplete process of digestion. The main reason for indigestion is aggravated Kapha that causes Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). Taking Kokum helps to improve Agni (digestive fire) and digests the food easily. This is due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties respectively.
Tips:
a. Take 1/2-1 cup of Kokum juice.
b. Add the same quantity of water and drink it on an empty stomach once a day.
c. Repeat till you do not get relief from indigestion.
2. Inflammatory bowel disease
Kokum is useful to manage the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). According to Ayurveda, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is caused due to an imbalance of Pachak Agni (digestive fire). Taking Kokum helps to improve the Pachak Agni (digestive fire) and reduces the symptoms of IBD.
Tips:
a. Take 1/2-1 cup of Kokum juice.
b. Add the same quantity of water and drink it on an empty stomach once a day.
c. Repeat daily to control the symptoms of IBD.
3. Diarrhea
Diarrhea is known as Atisar in Ayurveda. It is due to improper food, impure water, toxins, mental stress and Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). All these factors are responsible for aggravating Vata. This aggravated Vata brings fluid in the intestine from various tissues from the body and mixes with the stool. This leads to loose, watery motions or diarrhea. Kokum helps to control diarrhea. This is because of its Kashaya (astringent) and Grahi (absorbent) properties. It helps to thicken loose stool and control the frequency of loose motion or diarrhea.
Tips:
a. Take 1/2-1 cup of Kokum juice.
b. Add the same quantity of water and drink it on an empty stomach once a day.
c. Repeat till you do not get relief from the symptoms of diarrhea.
Kokum helps to manage indigestion. According to Ayurveda, indigestion means the state of an incomplete process of digestion. The main reason for indigestion is aggravated Kapha that causes Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). Taking Kokum helps to improve Agni (digestive fire) and digests the food easily. This is due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties respectively.
Tips:
a. Take 1/2-1 cup of Kokum juice.
b. Add the same quantity of water and drink it on an empty stomach once a day.
c. Repeat till you do not get relief from indigestion.
2. Inflammatory bowel disease
Kokum is useful to manage the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). According to Ayurveda, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is caused due to an imbalance of Pachak Agni (digestive fire). Taking Kokum helps to improve the Pachak Agni (digestive fire) and reduces the symptoms of IBD.
Tips:
a. Take 1/2-1 cup of Kokum juice.
b. Add the same quantity of water and drink it on an empty stomach once a day.
c. Repeat daily to control the symptoms of IBD.
3. Diarrhea
Diarrhea is known as Atisar in Ayurveda. It is due to improper food, impure water, toxins, mental stress and Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). All these factors are responsible for aggravating Vata. This aggravated Vata brings fluid in the intestine from various tissues from the body and mixes with the stool. This leads to loose, watery motions or diarrhea. Kokum helps to control diarrhea. This is because of its Kashaya (astringent) and Grahi (absorbent) properties. It helps to thicken loose stool and control the frequency of loose motion or diarrhea.
Tips:
a. Take 1/2-1 cup of Kokum juice.
b. Add the same quantity of water and drink it on an empty stomach once a day.
c. Repeat till you do not get relief from the symptoms of diarrhea.
Precautions when using Kokum
Breastfeeding
Modern Science View
Not enough scientific evidence is available on the use of Kokum during breastfeeding. So it is advisable to avoid Kokum or use only under medical supervision during breastfeeding.
Pregnancy
Modern Science View
Not enough scientific evidence is available on the use of Kokum during pregnancy. So it is advisable to avoid Kokum or use only under medical supervision during pregnancy.
Recommended Dosage of Kokum
- Kokum Syrup - 1-2 teaspoon once or twice a day.
How to use Kokum
1. Kokum Syrup
a. Take 1-2 teaspoon Kokum syrup.
b. Mix with the same quantity of water.
c. Have it once or twice a day after taking food.
2. Kokum Juice
a. Take ½-1 cup of Kokum juice.
b. Add the same quantity of water and drink it on an empty stomach once a day.
c. You can also add jaggery for a sweet flavor.
a. Take 1-2 teaspoon Kokum syrup.
b. Mix with the same quantity of water.
c. Have it once or twice a day after taking food.
2. Kokum Juice
a. Take ½-1 cup of Kokum juice.
b. Add the same quantity of water and drink it on an empty stomach once a day.
c. You can also add jaggery for a sweet flavor.
Frequently asked questions
Modern Science View
Kokum sold in the market is the halved and dried rind that is dark purple or black in colour. The rind is sticky and with curled edges. It adds a sweet and sour flavour to the dish along with a pinkish-purple colour.
Modern Science View
Kokum butter is pressed and refined from the fruit of the Kokum tree. It is used in creams and lotions due to its thickening property. Kokum butter is also used in other cosmetics like soaps, body butter and lip balms.
Modern Science View
Dried Kokum has a tangy taste which is why it is usually used in dishes in place of tamarind. It imparts a sweet-tangy flavour.
Modern Science View
Although there is no definite time to drink Kokum juice, it is more commonly used in hot summer season as a cool and refreshing drink to protect the body against dehydration and sunstroke[17].
Ayurvedic View
Kokum juice, prepared from Kokum fruit, can be consumed in any season as it is good for digestion. It helps to enhance the digestive fire (Agni) and improve digestion due to its Ushna (hot), Deepana (appetizer) and Pachan (digestion) properties.
Modern Science View
You can prepare Kokum water/ juice at home as follows:
-Take 2-3 Kokum fruits and rinse them properly. Chop the fruits and remove the seeds.
-Use the pulp and outer covering.
-Grind the pulp along with some water.
-Strain and separate the mixture.
-You can add some more water to the Kokum pulp to prepare Kokum water.
-You can also make a sherbet with it by mixing in sugar syrup and adding cold water.
-Take 2-3 Kokum fruits and rinse them properly. Chop the fruits and remove the seeds.
-Use the pulp and outer covering.
-Grind the pulp along with some water.
-Strain and separate the mixture.
-You can add some more water to the Kokum pulp to prepare Kokum water.
-You can also make a sherbet with it by mixing in sugar syrup and adding cold water.
References
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- Panda V, Ashar H, Srinath S.Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect of Garcinia indica fruit rind in ethanol-induced hepatic damage in rodents.Interdiscip Toxicol.2012 Dec;5(4):207-213.
- Panda VS, Ashar HD.Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Garcinia indica choisy fruits in carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats.Journal of food biochemistry.2012;36(2):240-247.
- Kshirsagar AD, Mohite R, Aggrawal AS et al.Hepatoprotective medicinal plants of ayurveda– a review.Asian J Pharm Clin Res.2011;4(3):1-8.
- Padhye S, Ahmad A, Oswal N et al.Emerging role of garcinol, the antioxidant chalcone from Garcinia indica Choisy and its synthetic analogs.J Hematol Oncol.2009;2:38.
- Sahasrabudhe A, Deodhar M.Anti-hyaluronidase, anti-elastase activity of Garcinia indica.International journal of botany.2010;6(3):299-303.
- Sawant N, Kaur C, Rashmi HM, Kaur J, Singh B, Kanatt SR, et al. Bioactive compounds, bio-functional properties, and food applications of Garcinia indica: A review. J Food Sci. 2022;87(10):4157-75
- Yamaguchi F, Saito M, Ariga T, et al.Free radical scavenging activity and antiulcer activity of garcinol from Garcinia indica fruit rind. J Agric Food Chem.2000;48(6):2320-2325.
- Patel K, Panchasara A, Barvaliya M, et al. Evaluation of cardioprotective effect of aqueous extract of Garcinia indica Linn. fruit rinds on isoprenaline-induced myocardial injury in Wistar albino rats. Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences.2015; 10:388-396.
- Swami SB, Thakor NJ, Patil SC.Kokum (Garcinia Indica) and its Many Functional Components as Related to Human Health: A Review. Journal of Food Research and Technology. 2014; 2(4): 130-142.
Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.