Karonda fruit, also called Black Currant or Christ’s thorn and scientifically termed Carissa carandas, is a traditional summer produce in India, that is widely utilised in making pickles, jams and preserves. This succulent bounty also confers immense health benefits, such as preventing heart disease, relieving digestive trouble and curing fevers. Locally, it is called “Vaakkai” in Telugu, “Kauli Hannu” in Kannada, “Kilakkai” in Tamil and “Koromcha” in Bengali.

Karonda is an evergreen deciduous shrub, that is believed to have originated in the Himalayas, thus making it an indigenous crop. It is extensively cultivated in the Northern mountains and the Western Ghats in India, as well as in Nepal, Sri Lanka and other South-East Asian countries.

The karonda plant grows up to a height of 2 to 4 m, with a thick grey bark holding branches that contain sharp spines, hence giving it the name of Christ’s thorn. The leaves are oblong and conical in shape, green-brown in colour, from which bloom small white flowers. Upon developing, the unripe karonda fruit, a berry, is globular in shape with tiny seeds within, occurring in clusters of 3 to 10 fruits. The unripe fruits have a tart, sour taste, being greenish-white in colour and once ripened, turn dark red or purple, secreting a tasty liquid content inside with a delicious sweet flavour.

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The nutritional profile of the karonda plant is quite impressive, being rich in vitamin C, the B vitamins and iron, thus effectively flushing out free radicals and rectifying anaemia. Moreover, the karonda fruit is bestowed with myriad antioxidants, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, carissone and triterpenoids, which offer significant advantages like anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, cardiotonic and analgesic traits. Read on, to gain further insight into the marvelous wellness incentives of the karonda fruit.
Karonda benefits

Superb Merits Of Adding Karonda Fruit To The Diet, For Overall Health:

Alleviates Abdominal Pain

Rich in fibre, the fruit is extremely beneficial for treating abdominal problems. Dried fruit powder can be mixed with water and consumed to ease the stomach tissues and help eliminate indigestion, gas, and bloating. Also Read: Bloating: Try These Kitchen Wonders To Soothe Bloated Tummy

Improves Digestion

The presence of pectin in the fruit makes it beneficial for improving digestion. The soluble fibre improves the functioning of digestive system, thereby improving appetite as well and curbing untimely cravings.

Reduces Fever

With an ample amount of vitamin C present in the fruit, karonda has been used since ages for treating fever. Being rich in antioxidants, the tasty fruit helps in bringing down the fever by fighting off the infections. Consuming ripe or dried fruit vastly helps to manage fevers.

Improves Mental Health

Regular consumption of karonda fruit is asserted to be beneficial for improving one's mental health. The presence of magnesium along with the vitamins and tryptophan help stimulate the production of the neurotransmitter - serotonin - which works towards bettering overall mental well-being.

Strengthens Cardiac Muscles

Drinking the juice of karonda fruit is extremely beneficial for cardiac health. Consume a glass of the fruit juice two or three times a week, to strengthen cardiac muscles, lower the risk of heart diseases like heart attack and hypertension as well as ensure optimal blood circulation to all organs in the body. Also Check Out: 5 Incredible Nuts To Boost Your Heart Health - Infographic

Treats Inflammation

According to numerous scientific studies, karonda fruit can help reduce and treat inflammation. Being anti-inflammatory in nature, consuming the fruit can help suppress the formation of the toxic agents in the body.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Different Medicinal Properties Of Karonda?

Karonda may include the following curative traits such as antioxidant, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, cooling, anthelmintic, antibacterial, anti-cancer, anti-ulcer, and antiscorbutic.

Does Karonda Help Manage Scurvy?

Scurvy is a rare condition that mainly occurs due to the deficiency of vitamin C in the body. Being an excellent source of vitamin C, fresh and ripe Karonda might help relieve scurvy. Additionally, its dominant astringent and antiscorbutic properties may readily help restore vitamin C in the body thus helping the patient recover from scurvy.

Can Pregnant Woman And Breastfeeding Moms Eat Karonda?

Having Karonda supplements or fruit in limited quantity does not showcase any side effects. However,  since it has an acidic and sour taste; it might cause some stomach trouble if taken in excess. Therefore, it is suggested that pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should take their treating doctor’s advice before having Karonda to avoid any complications.

Does Karonda Fruit Enhance Skin Quality?

Karonda has abundant reserves of vitamins, antioxidants and proteins. Its powerful anti-microbial and antifungal properties are considered highly beneficial for the skin. A regular intake of Karonda fruit or its juice may help open pores,  regulate sebum production, arrest ageing signs, fight oxidative damage and even remedy skin-related infections.

Does Karonda Remedy Anaemia?

Karonda may contain a high amount of iron, which may benefit against anaemia and its associated symptoms like fatigue, general debility, shortness of breath, dizziness and headaches.

Is Karonda Good For Diabetes?

Karonda may be valuable for people with diabetes due to its low glycemic index and the presence of certain phytochemicals that help regulate blood sugar levels. However, because it is slightly acidic and contains natural sugars, it should be consumed in moderation.

Which Vitamin Is Present In Karonda?

Karonda is packed with vitamin C, which is essential for boosting the immune system, promoting healthy skin, and aiding in the absorption of iron.

Is Karonda Good For Treating High Uric Acid?

Karonda may help in managing uric acid levels due to its anti-inflammatory properties and its potential to promote better kidney function. However, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness in this regard.

  Is Karonda Acidic Or Alkaline?

Karonda is acidic, primarily due to its high content of vitamin C and other organic acids. This acidity contributes to its tangy flavour.

 How To Consume Karonda?

Karonda can be consumed in various ways:

  • Eaten as a fresh fruit, it is tangy and slightly bitter.
  • It is commonly used to make pickles in Indian cuisine.
  • Karonda chutney is a popular condiment.
  • The fruit can be cooked down with sugar to make jams and jellies.
  • It is sometimes used in savoury dishes like curries for a tangy flavour.

(This article is reviewed by M Sowmya Binu, Food And Health Expert)

Author Profile:

Soumita Basu:

Soumita Basu holds a Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy and is keenly interested in Ayurveda, home remedies, yoga, fitness, diagnostics, and beauty. With nearly 6 years of experience, she produces evidence-based health content, including articles, videos, and infographics, to provide valuable insights to her audience.

References:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349237209_Karonda_A_Medicinal_Plant_with_Immense_Economic_Potentials

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154324003119

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