Kokum: Health Benefits, Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Kokum (GarciniaIndica) is a natural product bearing tree which is also famously known as "Indian Butter Tree" that is dominantly found in the western ghats of Both Maharashtra and Goa, which lie in South India. The dried strip of the organic product is used to upsurge the taste in a lot of dishes, mostly Indian. Kokum is popularly also recognized as an ancient and veteran cure to acidity. All the constituent pieces of Kokum, which are fruits, strips, and seeds, have a lot of medical purposes and uses.

Kokum oil is observed as useful for the skin because of its cell reinforcement property that diminishes wrinkles and postpones the hints of being mature and approaching age. It tends to be appropriated to oversee skin sensitivities and consumes.

Where did the Kokum word come from?

Kokum is a plant that belongs within the mangosteen family with culinary and drug uses. The word begins From Gujarati કોકમ (kokum) and Marathi कोकम (kokum).

Historical uses of Kokum

In the traditional system, Kokum is lavishly shown in the treatment of heat, diarrhea, infections, dysentery, gas, heatstroke, and skin diseases.

Benefits of using Kokum in Ayurvedic treatment

In Ayurveda Kokum organic product is used in the treatment of a variety of illnesses. It is a tidbit and tonic for the liver and heart. The organic product imbuement is used for treating skin infections, similar to sensitivities, teased skin, rashes, consumption, and burns. It is also used in heatstroke, looseness of the bowels, the runs, heaps, and heart illnesses. They help to lessen weight. The presence of Hydroxycitric corrosive in natural products makes it viable in weight reduction. This corrosive expands serotonin availability in the body, decreases weight, and builds oxidation of fat.

For the laxative reason, a powder is set up by mingling seared Hing/asafoetida, Kokum natural product, products of diocesan's weed (Ptychotisajowan), rock salt, and fennel/Saunf. All are taken parts of equivalence. A portion of 2 to 6 g of the powder with 5 ml of new lemon squeeze twice/day cleans abundance Pitta and scrubs small digestive system and colon.

Kokum organic products are cooling in nature. A sherbet (identified as Amrit kokum) prepared from the mash is wealthy in cancer prevention agents and extinguishes thirst. The organic products alone are helpful in gas, liquid maintenance, liquor fixation, the shortcoming of stomach related arrangement, exorbitant thirst, and oral infections.

Kokum natural product is furthermore appropriated in dried structure to make dishes sharp.

Treating diseases/Health problems with Kokum

We will be dealing with the uses of Kokum in treatments methods of different diseases from scientific and Ayurvedic point of view:

• Indigestion

• Weight Loss

• Diabetes

• Acidity

Types of Ayurvedic Care with Kokum

1. Kokum Syrup

 1-2 teaspoons of Kokum syrup is to be mixed with almost an equivalent quantity of water. Having it once or twice a day after ingesting food will be beneficial. 

2. Kokum Juice

 ½-1 cup of Kokum juice is to be mixed with almost an equivalent quantity of water. An adequate amount of jaggery can also be added for a sweet flavor. 

3. Kokum Butter

Take 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon of liquefied Kokum Butter, or per your necessity, Add Almond oil and apply to the influenced region more than once per day. Rehash to deal with the side effects of urticaria and for fast recuperating of the wound.

4. Kokum fruit paste

Take 1-2 Kokum natural products or according to your necessity. Make a glue and add some rose water to it. Apply to the skin once every day for controlling tingling because of skin sensitivity.

Side effects of Kokum

In dislike of the way that kokum is utilized to treat skin issues, the inpiduals who have serious skin issues should abstain from using Kokum. The explanation is that this will, in general, bother the skin composition. This can also cause metabolic acidosis.

Precautionary guide while using Kokum

Not enough proof by science is available about the use of Kokum during pregnancy. However, it is advisable that Kokum should not be consumed during pregnancy without any medical prescription or guidance. However, it is highly recommended to avoid Kokum's usage during breastfeeding as science has not yet been able to prove if it's safe.

The guide to select the perfect Kokum

• Kokum is a dried rind fruit very similar in appearance to Tamarind. 

• While looking for Kokum, you should go for deeper colors since they are better in comparison to the paler ones. 

• If you tend to buy from bulk bins, make sure that they are securely and appropriately covered so that they aren’t contaminated by dirt. 

• To make sure of any spoilage, smell it slightly. 

Use of Kokum in cooking

After doing a fair amount of research, we can tell the best way to use Kokum in certain Kadhis and Dals. Kokam tends to accentuate the taste and flavor of the dal and kadhi. The use of Kukum is most popular in the Gujarati dal formula to get the perfect balance of taste and color.

 Certain Indian beverages that make the best out of Kolum.KolumSerbet is pretty popular across South India. Absolutely nothing can compete with the taste and thick consistency of the Sherbet. This Sherbet also has an influencing fragrance that attracts people.

Kokum is utilized In Maharashtrian cooking and predominantly in the Konkanbelt; Kokum's use is very popular and common. They use kokum as a substitute for Imli. Even in everyday sabzis and curries like bhindi, the people of Konkan tend to use Kokum.

It is popularly used principally in the local cooking styles of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and different spots of the Konkan coast, even in everyday curries.

• In Goa, Maharashtra, and another close by states, enormous glasses of kokum sherbet are served in the late spring for a very long time to beat the warmth.

• Kokum has similar souring characteristics as tamarind, particularly improving coconut-based curries, dals, and vegetables, including potatoes, okra, and similar dishes.

• It is, however, most popular for its usage in chutneys and pickles. While doing such, the skins are not normally removed; instead are added entirely to the dish. 

FAQ’s about Kokum

1. What does Kokum taste like? 

SCIENCE'S VIEW: Dried Kokum has a sour taste, which is the reason it is generally brought into use in dishes instead of tamarind. It bestows a sweet-tart flavor almost identical to that of Imli.

2. What is dark Kokum? 

 SCIENCE’S VIEW: The appearance of the Kokum that is sold in the market is kind of dried skinned with dim purple or dark in color. The skin of the spice is clanged together and is twisted at the edges. It adds a prepared flavor to the dish alongside a pinkish-purple tone to the same dish. 

3. What is the best ideal opportunity to drink Kokum juice? 

SCIENCE’S VIEW: Although there is no specified opportunity to drink Kokum juice, it is all the more usually consumed in the scorching summer season as a cool and reviving beverage to secure the body against lack of hydration and sunstroke.

AYURVEDA’S VIEW:  Juice, which is made fromKokum natural product, can be devoured in any season as it is useful in the process of digestion and rectifies indigestion. It assists with helping and assisting the fire in the stomach (Agni) and improvesincorporation because of its Ushna (hot), Deepana (starter), and Pachan (processing) properties. 

4. How to get Kokum water ready at home?

 SCIENCE’S VIEW: You can prepare delicious and healthy Kokum water/squash juice at home by following the instructions given below: 

 - 2-3 fruits of Kokum are to be taken and rinsed appropriately. The fruit needs to be chopped in order to remove the seed. 

- The pulp and outer covering that we get as a result of the above step and can be used. 

- The pulp has to be grinded along with some water. 

- Strain and separate the blend. 

 -Some water needs to be added to the Kokum pulp in order to make Kokum water.

-Sugar Syrup or Honey can be added to the pulp in order to obtain a Serbet.  

5. Where does Kokum margarine come from? 

 SCIENCE’S VIEW: Kokum margarine is squeezed and refined from the product of the Kokum tree. It is utilized in creams and salves because of its thickening property. Kokum margarine is additionally utilized in different beauty care products like cleansers, body spread, and lip ointments. 

6. Is Kokum useful for cough and similar issues? 

SCIENCE’S VIEW: Not enough logical proof is accessible to help the part of Kokum in cough and similar issues. 

AYURVEDA’sVIEW: Yes, Kokum's ready product assists with controlling cough and similar issues due to its property to balance Kapha. It tends to help assist with the ousting of mucus from the lungs because of its Ushna (hot) nature. 

7. Is Kokum useful for diabetic patients? 

 SCIENCE’S VIEW: Kokum has cell pillars or antioxidants and properties that are anti-diabetic. Kokum restores the degree and level of specific enzymes that get decreased if there should be an occurrence of type 2 diabetes. Certain portions of Kokum are additionally associated with the metabolism of starch. Subsequently, Kokum can also be valuable in managing diabetes and every other complication that is related to it. 

AYURVEDIC’S VIEW: Kokum is valuable and extremely useful in managing a normal sugar level. As per Ayurveda, diabetes is known as Madhumeha, which is because of Vata's provocationand hindered digestion. Disabled digestion assists in the addition of Ama (poisonous remaining parts in the body because of ill-advised digestion) in the pancreatic cells and blocks the ability of insulin to function. Kokum assists with rectifying hindered digestion and improve digestion because of its Deepan (tidbit) and Pachan (stomach related) properties. This decreases Ama and improves the insulin's ability to function, consequently managing a reasonable and normal blood sugar level. 

8. Is Kokum useful for weight reduction? 

 SCIENCE’S VIEW: Kokum contains a result of citrus extract, which may have some effect against stoutness effect. Kokum works in various manners to raise weight reduction. It can decrease the creation of unsaturated fats or noticeably increase the hormone serotonin's discharge, which prompts camouflage and suppresses the appetite. Kokum may also diminish the metabolism of carbohydrates. Because of these roles, Kokum can be valuable in weight loss. 

AYURVEDA’S VIEW: Kokum helps oversee weight. Kokum gives a sensibility of satiety and diminishes yearning and craving for food. This is because it requires some investment of time to process because of its Guru (substantial) nature. It additionally aids with improving digestion and diminish Ama (harmful remaining parts in the body because of inappropriate digestion), which is one of the reasons for overweight because of its Deepan (tidbit) and Pachan (stomach related) properties.

9. Is Kokum useful for Pitta nature? 

 AYURVEDA’S VIEW: Kokum is useful for somebody with a Pitta nature. As indicated by Ayurveda, Pitta natureimplies someone who is extremely sensitive to heat. It helps in diminishing heat and aggravation. This is because of its Ushna (hot) nature. Drinking Kokum juice or water infused with Kokum helps remove heat, diminish corrosiveness, and mitigate sunstroke.  

Kokum having Ushna(hot) in nature, yet its juice is cool in nature when made with ingredients that have a cooling nature and sugar candy.

10. Is Kokum useful for acidity? 

SCIENCE’S VIEW: Many scientific experiments have proven that Kokum can help oversee acidity because of certain active compounds' occupancy. 

AYURVEDA’S VIEW: Kokum is useful for enhancing the digestive ability of a person. Consuming Kokum juice corrects the fire of digestion and aids in the simple digestion of food in light of its Ushna (hot) nature. This aids in managing acidity because of indigestion.

11. Is Kokum responsible for constipation? 

SCIENCE’ VIEW: No, Kokum is not responsible for constipation. In fact, in conventional medication, Kokum has been observed to be used to manage different stomach related issues, including constipation. 

12. What are the advantages of Kokum juice? 

SCIENCE’ VIEW: The Juice of Kokum is cool and very refreshing and secures the body against drying out of water and sunstroke. It additionally improves the issues related to the digestive system and is utilized as a characteristic solution for different stomach and liver disorders.

AYURVEDA’S VIEW: Kokum juice is set up from Kokum fruit and is fit for consumption in any season as it is useful for our digestion. It assists with upgrading the fire of digestion (Agni) and improve assimilation because of its Ushna (hot), Deepana (tidbit), and Pachan (absorption) properties. 

13. Is Kokum awful for the liver?

SCIENCE’S VIEW: No, Kokum isn't awful for the liver. Kokum is full of anti-oxidants and restrains lipid peroxidation. Because of these properties, Kokum has hepatoprotective or liver-ensuring activity.

14. Does Kokum help in the protection against gastric ulcers? 

SCIENCE’S VIEW: Yes, Kokum may show defensive activity against gastric ulcers. It contains a specific constituent (known as garcinol) that has anti-oxidant action. It secures and protects the stomach cells against any harm brought about by free radicals and shows gastroprotective action prompting any gastric ulcer formation. 

15. Does Kokum help ease nervousness, anxiety, depression, and sadness? 

SCIENCE’S VIEW: Yes, Kokum may help manage and rectify up to the extent of calming anxiety and depression. The fruit of Kokum helps to increase the serotonin levels (otherwise called the cheerful and happy chemical) in the body that is principally liable for the transmission of signs in the cerebrum. A more than normal amount of serotonin brings about improved mental capacity and facilitates the side effects of depression and anxiety. 

AYURVEDA’S VIEW: Vatamanages all developments in the body and each activity of the sensory system. Anxiety and depression are the issues of our nerves that by and large happen because of the awkwardness of Vatadosha. Kokum loosens up the nerves and helps calm the brain, in this manner giving much-needed relief from depression and anxiety because of its property to balance Vata. 

16. Is Kokum useful for the skin? 

SCIENCE’S VIEW: Yes, Kokum oil is useful for the skin. Kokum is highly enriched with anti-oxidants, and as a result, it diminishes the degeneration of skin cells. It also reestablishes the flexibility of the skin hence decreasing wrinkles and delaying the impacts of maturing. In conventional medication, Kokum has been utilized to oversee rashes because of skin hypersensitivities.

17. Is the butter of Kokum useful for hair? 

SCIENCE’S VIEW: There aren't much medical proofs and research to support Kokum's argument being useful for hair. 

AYURVEDA’s VIEW: The oil obtained fromKokum helps oversee hair issues. It is utilized for hair-related issues-particularly hair fall. This is a direct result of its Kashaya (astringent) property.