Unveiling the Medicinal and Nutritional Potential of Jamun (Syzygium cumini L.): A Comprehensive Review

Jamun (Syzygium cumini L.) is an evergreen tropical tree, enriched with ample nutritive values and medicinal properties. The highest population of diabetic, cancer and heart patients is in India, shows the worsen health condition of the nation. Review studies have reported the potential of jamun tree in mitigating these diseases. Considering this health situation, many jamun orchards are being planted as well as few pharmacy companies have brought jamun tree products in the market but still there is very need of harnessing the potential of this tree to overcome these dreadful diseases by following simpler, cheaper and safer alternatives amply available in Indian continent. It is reported that jambolin, phenolic acids, polyphenols, antioxidants are available in fruits and leaves of jamun tree. It is also reported that jamun tree is a major and cheaper source of manganese, calcium, iron, potassium and sodium. It is found that inclusion of jamun in diet may naturally reduce the amount of sugar in blood. Jamun is highly perishable fruit, only 125-150 kg tree-1 yield, have problems and losses in harvesting. But Jamun leaves are available round the year, non-perishable and have nutritional and medicinal properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidants, anti-microbial, cardio-protective, antiallergic, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and anti-fungal and benefits like it is great for diabetes and renal diseases, promotes intensive cleaning, reduce blood pressure, detoxification, improves digestion and healthy for skin. It is necessary to convert the leaves into different value added products like powder, health tonic, herbal tea, fortified products like cookies, biscuits, chocolates, cubes, snacks, etc. which will make available immense valuable products to every Indians, in affordable prices, enhance the employment and entrepreneurship opportunities and radically modified the rural economy of India.