Plum
Plum
Plum is a sweet and juicy summer fruit which is also known as Aalu Bukhara.
Adding plums to your daily diet might help prevent constipation as they are rich in dietary fibers. It is also good for bone health and assists in managing osteoarthritis due to its anti-inflammatory activity.
Plum also helps lower cholesterol levels and improves blood circulation as it contains potassium that helps relax the blood vessels and enhance the flow of blood. This might help keep the heart healthy and reduce the risk of heart diseases. Plums might also be good for diabetics as they have blood sugar lowering property.
Applying the paste of Plums on the skin might help in wound healing as well as skin softening. It also has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties due to which it prevents infections and improves skin appearance[1-3].
Adding plums to your daily diet might help prevent constipation as they are rich in dietary fibers. It is also good for bone health and assists in managing osteoarthritis due to its anti-inflammatory activity.
Plum also helps lower cholesterol levels and improves blood circulation as it contains potassium that helps relax the blood vessels and enhance the flow of blood. This might help keep the heart healthy and reduce the risk of heart diseases. Plums might also be good for diabetics as they have blood sugar lowering property.
Applying the paste of Plums on the skin might help in wound healing as well as skin softening. It also has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties due to which it prevents infections and improves skin appearance[1-3].
What are the synonyms of Plum?
Prunus domestica, Alubukhara, Albokhala, Arukum, Peach, Aluppukarappalam, Alpagodapandu, Aru bakhada, Arukam, Garden plum, Prune plum, Plum tree, Barkuk, Shaftalu
What is the source of Plum?
Plant Based
Benefits of Plum
1. Poor digestion
Plum helps to improve the appetite as well as the function of the digestive system by increasing Panchak Agni (digestive fire) . This is due to its Deepan (appetizer).
Tips:
a. Take some fresh Plums as per your need.
b. Cut it into thin slices.
c. Dip it in honey and have it once or twice a day after meals for improving digestion.
2. High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is due to an imbalance of Pachak Agni (digestive fire). Impaired digestion at the tissue level produces excess waste products or Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion). This causes accumulation of bad cholesterol and blockage in the blood vessels. Plums helps in controlling high cholesterol because of its Ama reducing property. It also helps to remove blockage from the blood vessels by eliminating toxins.
Tips:
a. Take some fresh Plums as per your need.
b. Cut it into thin slices.
c. Dip it in honey and have it once or twice a day for better results.
3. Joint pain
According to Ayurveda, the bones and joints are considered a site of Vata in the body. An imbalance in the Vata dosha causes joint pain. Plum helps to manage joint pain because it has Vata balancing property.
Tips:
a. Make Plum chutney.
b. Take ½ -1 teaspoon or as per your need.
c. Have it along with your meals.
4. Overweight
Plum prevents overeating since it is rich in insoluble dietary fibers. It gives a feeling of fullness for a longer period due to its Guru (heavy) property.
Tips:
a. Take some fresh Plums as per your need.
b. Cut it into thin slices.
c. Dip it in honey and have it once or twice a day for better results.
5. Diabetes
Diabetes also known as Madhumeha is due to impaired digestion. Impaired digestion leads to an accumulation of Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion) in the pancreatic cells and impairs the function of insulin. Plum helps remove Ama due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties. This thus helps control high blood sugar level.
Tips:
a. Take some fresh Plums as per your need.
b. Cut it into thin slices.
c. Have it once or twice a day.
Plum helps to improve the appetite as well as the function of the digestive system by increasing Panchak Agni (digestive fire) . This is due to its Deepan (appetizer).
Tips:
a. Take some fresh Plums as per your need.
b. Cut it into thin slices.
c. Dip it in honey and have it once or twice a day after meals for improving digestion.
2. High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is due to an imbalance of Pachak Agni (digestive fire). Impaired digestion at the tissue level produces excess waste products or Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion). This causes accumulation of bad cholesterol and blockage in the blood vessels. Plums helps in controlling high cholesterol because of its Ama reducing property. It also helps to remove blockage from the blood vessels by eliminating toxins.
Tips:
a. Take some fresh Plums as per your need.
b. Cut it into thin slices.
c. Dip it in honey and have it once or twice a day for better results.
3. Joint pain
According to Ayurveda, the bones and joints are considered a site of Vata in the body. An imbalance in the Vata dosha causes joint pain. Plum helps to manage joint pain because it has Vata balancing property.
Tips:
a. Make Plum chutney.
b. Take ½ -1 teaspoon or as per your need.
c. Have it along with your meals.
4. Overweight
Plum prevents overeating since it is rich in insoluble dietary fibers. It gives a feeling of fullness for a longer period due to its Guru (heavy) property.
Tips:
a. Take some fresh Plums as per your need.
b. Cut it into thin slices.
c. Dip it in honey and have it once or twice a day for better results.
5. Diabetes
Diabetes also known as Madhumeha is due to impaired digestion. Impaired digestion leads to an accumulation of Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion) in the pancreatic cells and impairs the function of insulin. Plum helps remove Ama due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties. This thus helps control high blood sugar level.
Tips:
a. Take some fresh Plums as per your need.
b. Cut it into thin slices.
c. Have it once or twice a day.
Precautions when using Plum
Advice from Experts
Ayurvedic View
1. Plum can cause hyperacidity if taken in excess amount. This is due to its Guru (heavy) and Ushna (hot) properties.
2. Plum should be avoided if you have a history of kidney stone. As Plum has high content of oxalate that can increase the occurrence of kidney stones.
2. Plum should be avoided if you have a history of kidney stone. As Plum has high content of oxalate that can increase the occurrence of kidney stones.
How to use Plum
1. Plum Fruit
a. Eat 2-3 fresh Plum or as per your taste.
b. Have it preferably after meals once or twice a day.
2. Plum Churna
a. Take 3-4 fresh Plums.
b. Clean them with water.
c. Allow them to dry under sun to remove moisture content completely.
d. Cut them into small pieces or grate them for easier grinding.
e. Discard the seeds.
f. Grind it in a mixer without adding water to make Plum Churna.
g. Take ¼-½ teaspoons of Plum Churna.
h. Chew or swallow it with water preferably after meals.
i. Use this remedy to get rid of indigestion.
j. Readymade Plum Churna is also available in the market.
3. Plum Chutney
a. Take 1 cup dried Plum and 1.5 cup water.
b. Add 1 teaspoon roasted cumin powder.
c. Add 1 teaspoon red chilli powder, 1 tablespoon white vinegar and 1/2 cup sugar.
d. Add salt to taste.
e. Take ½ -1 teaspoon of this Plum chutney or as per your need.
f. Have it along with your meals.
g. Ready made Plum Chutney is also available in the market.
a. Eat 2-3 fresh Plum or as per your taste.
b. Have it preferably after meals once or twice a day.
2. Plum Churna
a. Take 3-4 fresh Plums.
b. Clean them with water.
c. Allow them to dry under sun to remove moisture content completely.
d. Cut them into small pieces or grate them for easier grinding.
e. Discard the seeds.
f. Grind it in a mixer without adding water to make Plum Churna.
g. Take ¼-½ teaspoons of Plum Churna.
h. Chew or swallow it with water preferably after meals.
i. Use this remedy to get rid of indigestion.
j. Readymade Plum Churna is also available in the market.
3. Plum Chutney
a. Take 1 cup dried Plum and 1.5 cup water.
b. Add 1 teaspoon roasted cumin powder.
c. Add 1 teaspoon red chilli powder, 1 tablespoon white vinegar and 1/2 cup sugar.
d. Add salt to taste.
e. Take ½ -1 teaspoon of this Plum chutney or as per your need.
f. Have it along with your meals.
g. Ready made Plum Chutney is also available in the market.
Frequently asked questions
Modern Science View
Plum is a rich source of potassium, phosphorus and vitamin C. These constituents are helps in controlling constipation, improves digestion and appetite and helps in boosting immunity.
Modern Science View
Fresh Plum is easily available in the market. Consuming it in the form of fruit is the best way to gain its maximum benefits. However there are other forms available in the market such as churna and candies.
Modern Science View
Yes the skin of Plum is edible. But if you want to eat them raw along with the skin, it is advisable to dip in boiling water for around 15 seconds.
Modern Science View
Dried Plums are called prunes. But the prune fruit comes from a different type of plant than Plums. Unlike Plums, prunes have pits that can be easily removed from the flesh. While Plums are consumed fresh, prunes are mostly dried or made into prune juice. Dried prunes and prune juice has laxative effects.
References
- Balkrishnan A.Aloo Bukhara.Ayurved Jadi Buti Rehsya. Danik Bhaskar.2017.
- Ul Islam N, Amin R, Shahid M, et al.A multi-target therapeutic potential of Prunus domestica gum stabilized nanoparticles exhibited prospective anticancer, antibacterial, urease-inhibition, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.BMC Complement Altern Med.2017;17:276.
- Monsefi M, Parvin F, Farzaneh M.Effects of Plum Extract on Skeletal System of Fetal and Newborn Mice.Med Princ Pract.2013;22(4):351–356.
- Khanna S, Jaiswal KS, Gupta B. Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis with Dietary Interventions.Front Nutr.2017;4:52.
- Sapuntzakis MS.Dried Plums and Their Products: Composition and Health Effects–An Updated Review.Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.2013:53:1277–1302.
- Barrett DM, Somogyi L, Ramaswamy HS.Processing Fruits: Science and Technology, Second Edition.CRC Press.2004.527.
Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.