Contents
Artocarpus heterophyllus
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF JACKFRUIT
Traditional uses of Jackfruit
The Indian Ayurvedic Medicine used this fruit for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetes, to increase immunity, as an antioxidant, to reduce fever, constipation, and as a remedy for snake bites.
Unripe fruits are astringent and contain trypsin inhibitors. Trypsin is an enzyme that decomposes protein. If jackfruit is ingested raw, trypsin is inhibited, so that the body can not digest food and may suffer from stomach pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. (Cooking destroys trypsin inhibitors, so they eat jackfruit boiled or cooked with coconut milk and curry).
Ripe fruits are refreshing and have laxative effect.
Seeds are diuretic and laxative.
Internal use preparations with jackfruit extract, pulp or juice
Photography of jackfruit in a street market.
- A healthy food: One of the main benefits of jackfruit is the high availability of the fruit and nutritional value of it. It is a fundamental part of the Indian diet, reason why it is known as ” the fruit of the poor.”
Ripe fruit also contains energy as carbohydrate (20g. per 100g.), High doses of calcium (up to 72 mg. Per 100g. More than milk) and potassium (323 mg. Per 100g.) Suitable for preventing fluid retention.
- Diabetes: It has antidiabetic properties because it increases glucose tolerance in people with blood sugar problems. The jackfruit extract is used for medicine in India and Sri Lanka to treat diabetes because it contains several principles with hypoglycemic effects.
Scientific studies have shown that, in addition to these properties, it can help lower cholesterol and triglycerides. These components are found in the leaves and jackfruit leaf extract. (Take jackfruit leaves aqueous extract under medical supervision).
- Stomach ulcer: Jackfruit contains antiseptic, antiinflammatory and antioxidants substances that help in the healing of stomach ulcers. (Take jackfruit boiled as food)
- Constipation: jackfruit pulp is used for the treatment of constipation. This pulp is rich in mucilage and lignans. It also contains a sticky resin, components that provide laxative properties. Eating jackfruit stimulates bowel movements and helps regulate the intestine. (Take jackfruit in food)
- Antioxidant: It is a source of natural antioxidants such as vitamin C, betulinic acid and different types of carotenoids (Scientific studies have found more than 45 different polyphenols). These components are able to repair the damage produced in cells by oxidation, smoking, stress, etc.. They can also help improve cardiovascular health and prevent poor circulation. (Take jackfruit in food)
- Osteoporosis: jackfruits are fruits rich in calcium, containing more than milk (up to 70 mg. 100 g.). It also contains vitamin C, which helps absorb calcium and other important minerals for strong bones as magnesium and boron.
- Antiinflammatory: It contains flavonoids with antiinflammatory properties, including flavonoids, suitable for treating diseases such as arthritis, or inflammatory diets.
- Nervous system: Jackfruit is a tropical fruit with a high content in thiamine and niacin, with a higher contribution than mango or banana. A piece of 100 g. of pulp provides 4 mg of niacin, a quarter of the needs of an adult’s daily vitamin. It is an energy food suitable when physical or mental fatigue, stress, muscle weakness, and for athletes, as these vitamins allow favor nutrition of nerve cells and muscle fibers.
- Skin cancer: Jackfruit has protective properties against skin cancer. Scientific studies have found a type of flavones can inhibit melanin synthesis in the body. Due to these properties,Jackfruit may have a role in the treatment of melanoma.
- Skin spots: Because of its properties to inhibit the production of melanin, jackfruit may be appropriate as a remedy for skin blemishes and hyperpigmentation.
Medicinal external applications of jackfruit
- Vulnerary : Jackfruit leaf poultices can be applied hot on bruises, wounds or blows to reduce inflammation and help healing.
Jackfruit? For sexual power?
There is some controversy over the use of this fruit as an aphrodisiac. Although some books have attributed it to increase sexual power, in countries like Sri Lanka, people have observed that taking its seeds a few hours before the intercourse causes the opposite effect.
A scientific study that analyzed the effects of the seeds on the excitement, virility and sexual performance concludes that jackfruit fruit is not an aphrodisiac remedy.
OTHER USES OF JACKFRUIT
- Diagnosis of disease: The jackfruit seeds possesses a type of protein, called jacalin, that it is used to diagnose certain types of cancers (Thomsen Friedenreich antigen), AIDS disease or people carrying the virus. Its pharmacological importance lies on its high availability, easy way to obtain it and the effectiveness of that component.
- Orange dye: From this tree dye is extracted and used to dye the robes of Buddhist monks.
- Food for animals: pigs, cows and goats.
- Wood : The wood of this tree is used in crafts and has properties against termites.
More information on jackfruit.
