Spanish cherry Benefits, Plant Description, Nutrition Data, Regional Names, Uses in Diseases, Possible Side Effects and FAQ
What is Spanish cherry?
Vegetables and herbal plants rich in medicinal properties have been used traditionally in curing diseases and acquired their special place in Ayurvedic treatments for their medicinal values. One of such medicinal plants is Spanish Cherry.
Spanish Cherry is a medium-sized evergreen fruit bearing plant belonging to the ‘Sapotaceae’ family. The plant is native to Vanuatu from Indo-China and Malaysian peninsular, India, Sri Lanka, Andaman Islands, Myanmar. Spanish Cherry has medicinal benefits for headache, toothache, oral cavity, harmful diseases, diarrhea and other treatments.
Health Benefits and Uses of Spanish Cherry
Plant Description
Spanish Cherry is an evergreen tree that reaches an altitude of about 16 meters (52 feet). Flowers in this tree bloom in April, and bear fruit between June-October. The leaves are dark green, oval, 5-14 cm (2.0-5.5 inches) long, and 2.5-6 cm (0.98-2.36 inches) wide. The flowers are white, hairy and fragrant. The fruits are yellow and brown, and contain large brown seeds. The fleshy part of the fruit is yellow in color. The bark of the tree appears from dark brown to black or gray black.
The following article explains the health benefits of Spanish Cherry and related other important things.
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Chemical constituents
- Sterols,
- Tannins
- D-Mannitol
- Beta sitosterol
- D- glucoside
- Pentacyclic triterpene acids
- Mimusops acid
- Spinasterol
- Taraxerol
Various Regional Names of Spanish Cherry
- Hindi – Moulasiri
- Kannada- Bakulada hoovugalu
- Bengali – Bakul
- Gujarati – Bolasari
- Marathi – Elengi
- Tamil – Bagulam, Magizhampoo
- Telugu – Pogada chettu
- Assamese- Bokul
Scientific Classification of Spanish Cherry
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Tracheophytes
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Eudicots
- Clade: Asterids
- Order: Ericales
- Family: Sapotaceae
- Genus: Mimusops
- Species: M. elengi
- Scientific name: Mimusops elengi
Health Benefits of Spanish Cherry
- Treats Diabetes
The seed of Spanish cherry has anti-diabetic properties. The seed of this fruit will help in controlling the level of the blood vessels. This helps in stimulating the initial insulin, which helps in the right amount of blood.
- Promotes Sleep
Spanish Cherry has a hormone called ‘melatonin’ which helps in better sleep by calming your mind. Melatonin is produced in the pineal gland of the brain. This balances the sleep and waking up cycle of your body, thus helps in other body functioning. You can take Spanish cherry extraction or supplement 30 minutes later with evening snacks or dinner.
- Reduces the Risk of Stroke
Spanish cherry has cardiovascular benefits. This antioxidant present in it is called anthocyanin, which helps in reducing bad cholesterol levels from the blood. Moreover, the antioxidant property of this fruit will effectively fight against free radicals and control blood pressure levels. Research conducted by the University of Michigan Health System proves that consumption of this fruit will help reduce the risk of stroke and other heart problems.
- Lowers the Risk of Gut Attacks
Research conducted by Boston University drugs and public health with 633 patients with bowel problems proves that taking Spanish cherries will help reduce the risk of gut attack by 35 percent. Bowel patients who have consumed this fruit for two days had reduced risk of bowel attack by 35 per cent compared to the person who did not consume it.
- Aids Weight loss
Adding Spanish cherries to the diet will help people trying to lose body weight. Some research proves that taking Spanish cherry extract will help in marinating body weight. It is low in calories, which means a cup of Spanish cherry contains less than 100 calories. Also, it is rich in vitamins so that it helps in increasing the metabolic levels of the body, and contains moderate amounts of water that excrete toxins from the body.
Read Also: 12+ Effective Ways to Fight Obesity and Related Problem
- Lowers Hypertension
Spanish cherry fruits are a good source of potassium, which removes excess sodium from the body. This Spanish cherry fruit consumption will help balance the amount of sodium and potassium in the body, thereby maintaining blood pressure levels.
Read Also: Abnormal Blood Pressure – Symptoms, Causes and Remedies
- Reduces Muscle Pain
One study suggested that taking one and a half cups of Spanish cherry extraction twice a day till seven days would reduce muscle inflammation and pain.
- Prevents Colon Cancer
Spanish cherries have substances that help to reduce the formation of carcinogenic chemicals, which develop from hamburger charring. The fat and moisture content of Spanish cherry does not reduce the deterioration of the formation of the lipids of the meat, but this substance will reduce the formation of the heterocyclic aromatic amine. Taking Spanish cherries for this process will help avoid the risk of colon cancer.
- Helps in Osteoarthritis
Research conducted with 20 women in the age group of 40-70 years suffering from inflammatory osteoarthritis proves that taking Spanish cherry extraction twice a day for three weeks will reduce the discomfort and pain in the swollen joints.
Traditional Uses and Benefits of Spanish Cherry
- In traditional medicine bark, flowers, fruits and fruit seeds of Spanish cherry are considered to be hard, cold, anthelmintic, tonic and febrifaz.
- In ayurvedic medicine, it is commonly used to treat tooth disorders such as bleeding gums, pyria, sensitivity and loose teeth.
- In India, Spanish cherry fruit is used to relieve chronic dysentery, constipation and burning sensation while urinating.
- Spanish cherry flowers are used to treat heart disease, leukorrhea, menorrhagia and act as anti diuretics in polyurethane and antitoxins.
- The bark is used to increase women’s fertility and is known to have anti-ulcer activities.
- Soft stem is used as a brush for teeth, and in systoria, diarrhea and dysentery.
- In Asia, Leaves are used medicinally to treat headaches, toothache, sores and eye pain, and smoked to cure nose and mouth infections.
- The bark dissection mixed with flowers, fever, diarrhea, and gum inflammation, toothache, gonorrhea, sores are used as lotions for skin complaints.
- Spanish cherry flowers are being used against diarrhea.
- Tender Spanish cherry fruits are being used to gargle and treat other gum problems.
- Pounded seeds are used to cure constipation.
Uses of Spanish Cherry
Spanish cherry fruit, leaves, flowers, bark, fruit seeds etc. are used for medicinal purposes. Fruit extraction, leaf and bark extraction, seed powder etc. are used in different ways to cure diseases and solve skin problems.
Side Effects of Spanish Cherry
No adverse effects are seen after normal use of this herb. However, excessive use can also harm the body in some cases. However, exposure to or taking of its flowers for a long time can have mild intoxicating effects in some individuals.
NOTE: It should be used in the right quantity as excessive use of any product can harm our health keeping in view the benefits and disadvantages of the Spanish cherry. It is advisable to consult a doctor before using Spanish cherries as medicine for serious health issues.
Conclusion
The above article provided some important and useful information about Spanish cherries and the health benefits it holds. This information is based on trusted sources and folk beliefs. Please consult a specialist or doctor before applying these methods (if you are suffering from any serious health condition).
FAQ
Q: What are the other popular names of Spanish cherries?
Ans: popular names of Spanish cherry- ‘Bullet wood’, ‘Medlar’.
Q: What is Spanish cherry beneficial for?
Ans: This plant is useful in treating headaches, toothache, mouth cavity disease, toxic diseases, diarrhea and more.
Q: Is Spanish cherries good for diabetics?
Ans: Spanish cherry fruit seeds have anti-diabetes properties. Consuming these fruit seeds will help in controlling blood sugar levels. This will help stimulate insulin in the body, which helps in maintaining the right blood sugar levels.
Q: Spanish cherry belongs to which plant family?
Ans. Spanish cherries belong to the ‘Sapotaceae’ plant family.
Q: What is the scientific name for Spanish cherry?Ans. Scientific name for Spanish cherries is- ‘Spondias dulcis’.