
Jamun Beej refers to the dried seeds of the Jamun fruit (also known as Indian Blackberry). The seeds are traditionally dried, powdered, and used for their antidiabetic, astringent, and digestive benefits. Jamun trees are evergreen, medium to large-sized, with dark purple edible fruits rich in antioxidants.
Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Angiosperms
- Class: Eudicots
- Order: Myrtales
- Family: Myrtaceae
- Genus: Syzygium
- Species: S. cumini
Common Names
- English: Black Plum Seed, Java Plum Seed
- Hindi: Jamun Beej
- Sanskrit: Jambu
- Gujarati: Jamfal Beej
- Marathi: Jambhul Beej
- Tamil: Naaval Pazham Vidhai
- Telugu: Neredu Ginjaloo
Traditional and Medicinal Uses
- Blood Sugar Regulation - Traditionally used in Ayurveda as an effective remedy for managing diabetes and regulating blood glucose.
- Digestive Health - Acts as an astringent and digestive stimulant, used in indigestion, diarrhea, and dysentery.
- Oral Health - Powdered seeds are used to maintain oral hygiene and treat bleeding gums.
- Urinary Disorders - Used for reducing excessive urination and balancing urinary issues linked to high sugar levels.
- Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory - Rich in polyphenols that protect cells and reduce internal inflammation.
Phytochemical Constituents
Jamun seeds are a powerhouse of phytoconstituents:
- Jamboline and Jambosine – Alkaloids known for hypoglycemic action
- Ellagic acid – Antioxidant and anticancer potential
- Gallic acid and Flavonoids – Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties
- Tannins and Saponins – Astringent and antidiarrheal action
- Terpenoids and Anthocyanins – Protect against oxidative stress
References
Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part-I, Volume IV, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India.
Sharma, P. V. (2003). Dravyaguna Vigyan, Vol. 2. Chaukhambha Bharati Academy.
Kirtikar, K. R., & Basu, B. D. (2008). Indian Medicinal Plants, Volume III. International Book Distributors.
Jain, R., et al. (2011). "Hypoglycemic and antioxidant activity of Syzygium cumini seed powder in alloxan-induced diabetic rats." Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, 4(3), 35–39.
Baliga, M. S., et al. (2011). "Scientific validation of the ethnomedicinal properties of the Jamun (Syzygium cumini) fruit and its seed: A review." Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, 16(16), 1–6.
Nadkarni, K. M. (2009). Indian Materia Medica, Vol. I. Bombay Popular Prakashan.