Ber - Elandhai

Botanical Name: Ziziphus mauritiana

Family: Rhamnaceae (Ber family)

Common name: Indian Jujube, Jujube

Hindi: Ber बेर

Sanskrit: Badri बद्री

Tamil: எலந்தை,இலந்தைபழம், Elandhai, Ilandhai

Manipuri: বোৰোঈ Boroi

Malayalam: ഇലന്തപ്പഴം, ilanthappazham

Kannada: Yelchi hannu, Borehannu

Marathi: Bir, Bor

Urdu: بير  Ber

Punjabi: Amlai, Barari, Simli, Singli

Assam: Vagari

Bengali: Kul Vadar

Gujarati: Bor

Oriya: Borakoli

Telugu: Regi

Description:

Ber is a small or medium sized subtropical tree, popular for its small berry like fruit. It grows wild in forests and also on wastelands throughout the mid-hills up to elevations of 1,400 metres. The small fruits are liked by children as well as by adults. A small spreading tree, with drooping branches; height, 5 to 8 metres, Leaves, ovate, petiolate, having very fine serration. The flowers are yellowish and born in clusters along the leaf axils and this is shortly followed by the rounded fruit which can be anywhere from three-quarters of an inch to an inch-and-a-half in size. Trees are easily propagated by seeds, however, seedlings take two to three years to start fruit production.

Ber/ Indian plum/ Indian Jujube fruits are nutritionally very rich. They are good source of vitamin C. Vitamin C performs very important functions in body. It is required to improve body immunity to fight against infectious diseases. Vit C also required in body for absorption of iron and keeping gums, teeth, bones, skin, and muscles healthy. Ber are also rich source of vitamin A, B complex and minerals. Vitamin C content of ber fruits is initially low, and increases with maturity of fruit.

The leaves of tree also contain 6% digestible crude protein, which is an excellent source of ascorbic acid and Carotenoids.

The dried ripe fruit of Ber has laxative properties. The pulp of fruits is also applied on ulcers and cuts. In case of indigestion and excessive bile, the fruits are mixed with salt and chili peppers and taken orally.

Medicinal uses of various parts of Indian Jujube tree

Ber or Indian Jujube is a medicinal tree. It is used to promote weight gain, improve muscular strength, and as an immunostimulant to increase physical stamina. It has antipyretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, and sedative properties. The pulp of dried fruit is recommended in Ayurveda for treating burning sensation, blood impurities, excessive thirst and anorexia.

Rheumatism 

In Rheumatism, the paste of leaves and root paste (Ber root + roots of Cassia auriculata ) is applied on the affected body part.

Hair Care

In Hair fall, a paste of leaves of ber, amla (Phyllanthus emblica) and neem (Azadirachta indica) is made and applied on the scalp.

In pimples and acne, the paste of leaves is applied topically.The pounded leaves are also applied topically on boils.

Wounds

The poultice of leaves is applied on affected area.

  

Diabetes, lowering blood sugar level

The powder prepared from dried Ber leaves is useful in lowering blood sugar level.

Diuretic

The decoction of leaves can be used as diuretic.

Diuretics are also known as water pills as they increase the urinary output and electrolyte excretion. They are useful in various diseases such as high blood pressure, fluid retention, oedema, acute and chronic renal failure, sciatica, kidney stones, lymphatic swelling, glaucoma, liver disorders and many more diseases. This herb works as natural diuretic. Natural diuretics work by stimulating the kidney to produce more urine by reducing the amount of water and salts that the kidney reabsorbs into the bloodstream. This improves the functioning of tissues and organs, and also, prevents fluids from accumulating in tissue matrices.

Diarrhoea

The powder of dried fruit is given orally with water to cure diarrhoea.