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Health Benefits of Chironji, Uses And Its Side Effects

Last Updated: Aug 27, 2020

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Chironji nuts are among the” everything sweet” and “everything nutty” that is craved for the people in North India. It is used to make delicious mouth-watering and magical mood sweets for popular festivals in India like Diwali.

Chironji, also known as charoli, is often used as a substitute for almonds and considered full of healthy nutrients as it contains a considerable amount of dietary fiber. When consumed, Chironji provides vitamin B2, vitamin B1, vitamin C and niacin. All parts of the Chironji plant from the fruits, seeds, leaves and roots are useful in making traditional medicines.

Chironji is used for healing cough, skin rashes, infertility, headache, respiratory disorders, mouth ulcers and constipation. In addition to being very popular for its delicacy, Chironji seeds are most commonly used as ingredients in the making of most Indian sweets and other savory items.

Chironji

Chironji seeds are produced from a tree known as Buchanania lanzan which is cultivated across India, popularly in the northwest. The Buchanania lanzan plant is a deciduous tree that can grow up to a height of 15 meters and belongs to the same family as cashew nuts. A Chironji plant bears fruits and each Chironji fruit contains a single Chironji seed.The seeds can be eaten raw but are mostly roasted or fried to increase their flavor, while the fruits are known to be one of the most delicious fruits.Chironji which is also known as charoli has a unique taste which is slightly sweet, slightly acidic similar to the flavor of almonds.

Nutritional Value of Chironji

Chironji seeds manage to be a good protein and has fat source at 59 per 100 grams of Chironji seeds while containing a relatively low amount of calories. It has high fiber content and provides vitamins, for example, vitamin B1, B2 and C as well as niacin. High contents of phosphorus, iron and calcium are also found in these seeds. The charoli fruits which contain the seeds are made in such a way that half their weight is due to oil. This oil has been revealed to contain chemicals such as tannin, galactoside and flavonoids among others through phytochemical analysis. Thus it has been useful in areas such as the therapeutic and cosmetic industry.

Nutritional facts Per 10g

65.6
Calories
5.91g
Total Fat
1.21g
Total Carbohydrate
1.9g
Protein

Health Benefits of Chironji

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Mentioned below are the best health benefits of Chironji

Chironji For Treating Respiratory Illnesses

The Chironji plant is beneficial in treating respiratory problems. Firstly, the Chironji oil when added to hot water and inhaled in the form of steam, loosens the mucous and provides immediate relief from cold and cough. The Chironji seeds which contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory activity help to relieve nasal and chest congestion.

Regular Bowel Movements

This plant is also known to have astringent properties that assist in binding stool and regulating the bowel movements. By doing this, charoli oil has been found to be very useful and effective in treating diarrhea as well as other complicated digestive problems.

Healthy Skin

Another thing about Chironji is that it contains skin and beauty benefits. The rich minerals and vitamins contained in Chironji seeds are very beneficial for the healthy of the skin. For a beautiful and glowing skin powdered charoli seeds are added to milk to make paste and used as face mask for 15 minutes daily.

Chironji seeds are also very useful when used as scrubs as they remove and exfoliate dirt and dead cells there by cleansing your skin as well as removing the facial hair. In addition, the seeds also help to prevent skin infections such as acne and pimples.

Chironji also be used to treat skin infections by mixing it with rose water and applying to the affected areas. The charoli oil has highly contributed to the cosmetic industry in making natural cosmetic products that are skin friendly.

Wound Healing Properties of Chironji

Through various studies on the extract of Chironji seeds, it has been found that these contain anti-microbial and anti-biofilm properties. Therefore, Chironji is also known for wound healing properties.For a wound to heal the process should involve inflammation, fibroblast proliferation and tissue remodeling. Microbes form infections such as bio films which grow on wound surfaces and delay healing. The anti-microbial and anti-biofilm properties of charoli seeds counter this effect thereby increasing the rate of healing.

Chironji Cure Mouth Ulcer

The traditional medicine made using the Chironji plant has been used to treat mouth ulcers. Chironji is also believed to have a cooling effect on the body in addition to its treatment of the digestive problems which contributes to treatment of ulcers.

Chironji Manage Diabetes

Another health benefit of this plant is the treatment of diabetes. The extract from Chironji seed contains antioxidant properties which help reduce or protect from oxidative stress and as a result help in the treatment of diabetes.

Treat Inflammation

When the oil is extracted from the Chironji seed and applied externally to a swelling gland in the neck, it helps to reduce the swelling. Furthermore, the oil can be applied on the skin to treat skin infections as well as riding one off scars and blemishes. It has also been known to effectively contribute in the treatment of joint pain and rheumatic inflammation.

Chironji Good For Postnatal Care for Mothers

Charoli plant has been used to make traditional medicine. These medicines were usually given to the mother after child birth. This is because the nutrients contained in the charoli extract are known to have properties that stimulate the immunity.

Chironji Enhance Sex Performance

To enhance vitality and sexual virility, couples in the Indian community start their married life eating sweets and taking drinks made with charoli seeds. The Chironji seeds are popular for their aphrodisiac properties. These properties have made these seeds effective when treating the reproductive problems. Some of these problems include premature ejaculation, loss of libido and impotence.

Chironji Cure Digestion Problems

The extract from the roots of Chironji tend to have expectorant properties. These properties help in treating the digestive problems and blood infections which usually occur as a result of gall bladder or liver dysfunction.

Chironji Strengthen Your Heart

Another healthy benefit part of the charoli is its leaves. The juice extracted from these leaves has strong aphrodisiac, expectorant and purgative properties. The juice is also used to strengthen the heart as a cardio tonic. It’s a good natural tonic for relieving fatigue and the leaves can be powdered to treat the wounds as well.

Chironji bark and gum medicinal uses

The bark contains antioxidant properties which helps to treat various ailments. The gum can be used to treat digestive problems and chest pain. It reduces pain caused by rheumatism, when mixed with milk.

Uses of Chironji

Chironji is most commonly used as a cooking spice. Its nutty flavor and taste that is similar to almonds is considered a delicacy in India. The seeds of charoli have many culinary uses which include making sweets and savory dishes such as desserts, baking recipes and making other confectionary dishes. It’s a perfect substitute for almonds.

Its wood can be used as firewood and leaves provide fodder for the cattle and sheep. The aphrodisiac properties of charoli are considered when making a special sweet Indian dish called Chironji Ki Barfi, traditionally given to newly married couples to provide vitality.

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Side-Effects & Allergies of Chironji

After eating charoli seeds, an individual with a weak stomach or weak digestive system may have loss of appetite. However, the charoli oil boosts the functioning of the digestive system. Another side effect on consuming charoli kernels is constipation, which is also countered by charoli fruits that act as a remedy for constipation. Frequent urinating during the nights is one of the side effects caused to patients who consume it orally or apply it externally.

Origin And Cultivation of Chironji

Chironji is said to have originated from India. It is primarily found in the dry deciduous forest of the Indian subcontinent i.e. the Central and North-West India. The plants of Chironji can be found in Gujarat, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Chattisgarh.

The cultivation of Chironji in India is largely done in the drier parts by the villages and then sold in the markets. The cultivation is also sometimes done in the resource-poor areas, arid and semi-arid areas or lands where other crops cannot be grown.

From gravelly and rocky red soils to saline and sodic soils, Chironji grows excellently. However, Chironji plant cannot sustain in waterlogged conditions. The plant can also be cultivated in barren rocks or in areas that have salt-affected soils. But, for good cultivation and better productivity, deep and well-drained loam soil is required.

References

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    Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
    Reviewed By
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    Reviewed ByDt. Ms. Shilpa MarwahB.Sc (Home Science), Post Graduation Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health NutritionDietitian/Nutritionist
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