- Author: GREAT MASTER VIKRANT ROHIN
- Date: MAY 3, 2023
The Khirni tree’s fruit is small, spherical, and green while unripe; when completely ripe, it turns yellow or orange. The fruit is frequently used to make jams, jellies, and sweets because of its sweet, juicy, and slightly tangy flavor. Khirni fruit is used in Ayurvedic medicine to cure a wide range of health issues, such as diarrhea, dysentery, and constipation. It is also thought to contain a number of therapeutic characteristics.
Interesting Health Facts On Khirni Fruit
Scientific name “Manilkara hexandra” or ” Mimusops hexandra “.
Origin Of Khirni fruit
Khirni is a tree species in the tribe Sapoteae, in the family Sapotaceae.
The plant is native to much of South Asia (China: Hainan and southern Guangxi provinces; the Indian Subcontinent: Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka; Indo-China: Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Why was it named Of Khirni fruit?
When plucking the fruit, or even the leaves from the tree, they secrete a milky fluid. This is the reason khirni is called kshirni in Sanskrit, derived from the word khshir, meaning milk.
Other Names Of Khirni fruit
English common names: Ceylon Iron Wood, milk tree, wedge-leaved ape flower, Rayan, khirni
Ayurvedic Name: Ksirini, Ksheerini, Rajadan, Rajnya, Rajadanah
HINDI: Khirni, Khhini, Rayan
BENGALI: Ksheerni, Rajni
GUJRATI: Rayan
MALAYALAM: Krini and Palamunpala
KANNADA: Hale, Hannu
TAMIL: Kanupala, Kaattuppala, Ulakkaippalai, Palai
TELUGU:Patla, Pola, Kirni
Appearance Of Khirni fruit
Khirni bears small 1 & 2 seeded fruits which turn yellow at maturity.
The fruits are 1.1-5 cm and round to ellipsoid in shape.
Khirni is used as a rootstock for sapota in India.
The khirni or rayan golden yellow berries come for only a very short time in May just when the real heat of summer starts.
Tastes Of Khirni fruit
Kirni Fruit secrete a flavourful milky fluid inside that tastes similar to sapota/chikoo
Nutritional Contents Of Khirni Fruit
Khirni is a rare fruit with a rich source of vitamin C, A, antioxidants, minerals, fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and sterols.Saponin 1, 2 and 3, Gallic acid, Myrecetin, and Quercetin
Triterpenoidsaponin, β–sitosterol, tannins
Interesting Health Facts On Khirni Fruit
Augment of Kidney Function
Khirni fruit possesses diuretic properties that help to get rid of toxins, waste matter, and undigested food accumulated in the system, by means of optimal kidney activity, thereby preventing kidney disorders.
Treats Skin Health
Khirni fruit contains triterpenoid plant which is a superb natural solution to treat skin infections. act as antimicrobial properties that provide instant relief from rashes, itching, and psoriasis and restore suppleness and radiance to the skin.
Alleviates Stomach Ulcers
Khirni fruits possess tannins and saponins compounds that cure gastrointestinal ulcers, regulating gastric acid volumes and stimulating protective mucosal secretions by the walls of the stomach.
Enhances Immunity
Immense quantities of vitamin C are found in khirni fruit, act as good antioxidants help in flushing out harmful free radicals from the system, and shield the body from bacteria and viruses.
Cures Fever and Jaundice
The juice of khirni fruit contains antioxidants such as myricetin and quercetin, which supply significant antipyretic ie body temperature-lowering traits. Fresh khirni juice is the best remedy for fever and jaundice, also reduces the symptoms of body pain and discomfort.
Combat Cancer
Antioxidants such as flavonoids kaempferol and quercetin in Khirini fruit prevent cancer and restrain cancer cell growth and angiogenesis.
Rectifies Hormonal Imbalance
Khirni with B vitamins, calcium, and triterpene antioxidants act as best remedy for mending thyroid problems as well as for settling imbalances in estrogen.
Improves Lung Function
Khirni is an excellent decongestant and bronchodilatory, anti-inflammatory, and blood-purifying phytonutrients that facilitates normal breathing and augments lung wellness. Khirni fruit cures respiratory disorders like asthma, and bronchitis loosening phlegm in pulmonary passages.
Heals Oral Health
khirni, act as antiseptic and antimicrobial components to treat a host of dental disorders such as cavities, plaque, tartar, gum disease,gingivitis, and yellow, stained teeth.
Traditional uses and benefits of Khirni
- It is a medicinal tree used in the treatment of excess thirst, emaciation, bleeding disorders, ulcer, bronchitis, jaundice, fever, arthritis etc.
- It is used in medicinal herbal drugs to cure various diseases such as jaundice, ulitis, odontopathy, fever, colic dyspepsia, helminthiasis, hyper dyspepsia, and burning sensation.
- It is beneficial in swelling, abdominal colic, gout, rheumatism, and toxicosis.
- Traditionally Bark is used to treat a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders.
- It improves taste, promotes physical strength, and aphrodisiac in nature.
- Stem bark decoction is used as an effective remedy in dysentery and diarrhea.
- Mashed fruits are taken to cure diseases like arthritis and jaundice, also used for heat burning, wormicide, and to purify the blood by the local population of Nawargaon village.
- It purifies the blood.
- Leaf extract is used in the treatment of Asthma.
- In toothache, the latex of the tree is applied on teeth and gums.
- Root extract is used in the treatment of headaches.
- To relieve body aches, water boiled with stem bark is used for bathing.
- Extract of stem bark is used as a tonic.
- Stem bark infusion is used to promote and increase breast milk.
- Decoction of bark and mashed fruits is used in fever and hallucinations.
- Decoction of bark and mashed fruits are used in sacred groves in the Pudukottai district Tamil Nadu for fever and
- It is especially useful in treating gum problems and dental disorders such as bleeding gums, gum inflammation, sudden discharge of blood from gums, odontopathy etc.
- Bark and seed coat are used for strengthening the gum.
- They are useful in hallucinations, loss of consciousness, anorexia, bronchitis, leprosy, and vitiated conditions of pitta.
- Seeds are useful in ulcers and the opacity of the cornea.
Other Facts
- Wood is used for heavy structural work, gate posts, and big beams.
- It is also used for turning and carpentry in spite of the difficulties of working with such dense wood.
- This species is often used as a rootstock for the sapodilla (M. zapota) in India.
- Its tender parts are used as toothbrush.
