खिरनी ज्ञान

खिरनी ज्ञान 

Remember childhood days , our favorite pastime during scorching summer days was visiting a nearest Khirni tree , picking up it’s juicy yellow color sweet fruit and sharing/ eating together with friends. 

Khirni is available in many Indian states, apart from Uttar Pradesh one can find in Andhra, Kerala , Tamilnadu, Maharashtra, Gujrat , known as “Patla” or “Pola” in Telugu, “Palamunpala” in Malayalam,  “Ulakkaippalai” in Tamil and commonly termed as obtuse-leaved mimusops in English. Its scientific name is Manilkara hexandra or Mimusops hexandra. Aryurveda praised this fruit and one can find its mention in ancient books as “Rajphal” or “Rajdan” and recommended for effective treatment a host of ailments.

The khirni tree, if not damaged severely, actually survives for hundreds of years. This 50-foot tall evergreen tree bears elliptic leaves, with bright white flowers. Upon fully budding, the khirni fruit is essentially a berry, reddish-yellow in colour, with a single seed enclosed within the outer skin. The khirni fruits, although available only for a brief period in the hot summer season, secrete a flavourful milky fluid inside that tastes similar to chikoo, besides providing a wealth of nourishing components.

Khirni fruits contain abundant reserves of proteins, carbohydrates and useful fats, for optimal growth and development of the body. Being inherently rich in vitamins C and A, these pulpy fruits are also a treasure trove of polyphenolic antioxidants, sterols, tannins, saponins, triterpenoids, myricetin and quercetin. What with its appealing taste, coupled with the powerhouse of nutrients it contains, khirni fruits are certainly a beneficial addition to the daily diet. Read on, to discover the fantastic merits of khirni fruits, for complete healthcare.

The juice derived from the pulp of khirni fruit is bestowed with valuable antioxidants – myricetin and quercetin, which supply significant antipyretic i.e. body temperature lowering traits. Drinking a glass of fresh khirni juice is a well-known remedy for fever and jaundice, vastly diminishing the symptoms of body pain and discomfort.

Khirni fruits encompass noteworthy levels of tannins and saponins – valuable plant compounds that remarkably mend gastrointestinal ulcers. Adding a few slices of khirni fruit to breakfast or having it as a snack in the evening soothes the tummy, by regulating gastric acid volumes and stimulating protective mucosal secretions by the walls of the stomach.

As Khirni is a very perishable fruit, it has poor shelf life that is why its’ trees are not grown commercially. But best part is, sometimes one can find it in Borivali Vegetable market. I saw it today and bought some.