Jungle jalebi is also known as Vilayati imli, KodukkaPuli, Manila tamarind, Ganga tamarind, Madras thorn, Monkey pod and Devil’s necklace. Scientifically, it is also known as Pithecellobium dulce and it is also a species of flowering plant which belongs to the family Leguminosae (peas, legumes and beans). Jungle jalebi is not sold commercially in India. It is a tamarind kind of fruit which is mainly picked from the roadside or jungle and sold, that is the reason it is known as Jungle Jalebi.
All parts of the plant such as leaves, pulp, flowers, seeds and bark are used to treat various diseases and ailments. The Vilayati imli’s leaves are pinnate while its flowers are greenish-white. The flowers develop into a pod, which is circular and similar to the jalebi shape. The seed pods turn pink when ripe and green when raw and it opens up for the white pulp, which is tart, thick and sweet. In this article there are details given about the amazing health benefits of jungle jalebi
Also read: 6 Breakfast Foods For Healthy Digestive System
1. Helps in losing weight
The high concentration of vitamin C, dietary fibre, and saponins in Madras thorn helps in great management of weight. A study mentions that saponins can bring down weight by around 20-30 per cent.
2. Have anticancer agents
The jungle jalebi leaves have cancer-preventive effects. In a study, it was found that the anticancer agents in the leaves help in reducing the number of human breast cancer cells and not the normal cancerous cells. This happened through selective apoptosis process.
Also read: 5 Reasons to consume white riceÂ
3. Treats problems of intestine
The Ganga tamarind leaves are used to treat problems of the intestine. They have strong antioxidative, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties against pathogens such as Shigella and E.coli which are also known to harm the intestines. Oleanolic acid present in the seeds helps in maintaining functions of the intestine.
4. Maintains the health of skin and treats eczema
Eczema is characterized by cracked, inflamed, itchy and dry skin. The presence of vitamin C and saponins in Vilayati imli is responsible for its strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and antibacterial properties. These compounds boost immunity.
5. Manages symptoms of diabetes
The bark of jungle jalebi is commonly used in the treatment of diabetes. The phytochemicals present in barks such as tannins, alkaloids at a dose of 200-400 mg/kg body weight can enhance diabetes-preventive activity by lowering down the cholesterol level.
6. Good for the liver
The liver is primarily a target for toxicity as it metabolizes all the toxic chemicals and removes them out of the body. Sometimes, when the liver is exposed to excessive chemical substances, hepatic injuries may occur in the liver which can cause abnormality in liver functions.
7. Promotes muscle and bones health
The calcium present in Manila tamarind pulp helps in enhancing the bones health while the leaves contain skeletal muscle relaxant activity that helps in stiffness of the muscles and easing pain.