The scientific name of Khirni is Manilkarahexandra. Its origin is from South Asia. The initial color of Khirni is green and it turns reddish-yellow as it matures. It is a tree species in the tribe Sapoteae, in the family Sapotaceae. The Khirni is one of the most delicious summer fruits which are consumed in India. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and antioxidants which are very beneficial for our overall health.
The wood of this plant is hard, durable, and heavy and it is used for heavy structural work, gate posts, and big beams. It has many health benefits, such as enhances immunity, cures fever and jaundice, heals skin infections, etc. The plant size is about 12 – 25 meters tall and 1 – 3 meters in trunk circumference. The flowering season of Khirni is from August to December. The taste of Khirni is sweet and pungent. Bark and fruits are parts of this plant that are used.
The tender part of Khirni is used as a toothbrush. Many people use the water boiled with stem bark for bathing to get relief from body aches. In traditional medicine, the bark of Khirni is used to treat many different gastrointestinal disorders. The Khirni can purify the blood. The leaf extract of Khirni is used in the treatment of asthma. The leaves of Khirni are simple, alternate, and often closely clustered towards the end of branchlets, with the conspicuous area. The khirni is a slow-growing plant, but a fairly large glabrous evergreen tree. The wood of khirni is used for heavy structural work, gate posts, and big beams.
Also, it is used for turning and carpentry in spite of the difficulties of working with such dense wood. The khirni is often used as a rootstock for the sapodilla in India. The seeds of khirni are useful in the treatment of ulcers and the opacity of the cornea. The stem bark infusion of khirni is used to promote and increase breast milk. Also, the extract of stem bark is used as a tonic.
Here are some health benefits of khirni:
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Enhances immunity:
The khirni fruit has high amounts of Vitamin C. This makes it one of the best foods for improving the immune system of our bodies. Vitamin C has antioxidant nature which will aid in flushing out harmful free radicals from the system. Also, the khirni fruit has antimicrobial potential, which will shield the body from bacteria and viruses that trigger diseases.
Alleviate stomach ulcers:
The khirni fruit has high amounts of tannins and saponins, which are valuable plant compounds that can help in the treatment of gastrointestinal ulcers. You can add a few slices of khirni fruit to your breakfast or you can have it as a snack in the evening to soothe your tummy, by regulating the gastric acid volume and stimulating protective mucosal secretions by the walls of the stomach.
Heals skin infections:
The vast array of triterpenoid plant chemicals in the khirni makes it a superb natural solution for the treatment of many skin infections. Also, khirni has powerful antimicrobial properties. You can apply paste from this fruit extract directly on your skin, so you will get instant relief from rashes, itching, and psoriasis. At the same time, it will enrich its texture and restore suppleness and radiance to the skin.
Augments kidney function:
The khirni fruit is rich in proteins, which can help you to build strong muscles and also, they will promote metabolism, and at the same time, it has diuretic properties. This is fostering the normal excretory processes and it can help you to get rid of toxins, waste matter, and undigested food accumulated in the system, by means of optimal kidney activity, thereby preventing kidney disorders.
Cures fevers and jaundice:
The juice derived from the pulp of khirni fruit is having powerful antioxidants, like quercetin and myricetin. They supply significant antipyretic, which is the body temperature lowering traits. You can drink a glass of fresh khirni juice, which is well – known remedy for fever and jaundice and this can help you to diminish the symptoms of body pain and discomfort.
