Ziziphus rugosa, commonly known as Zunna Berry, is an evergreen tree belonging to the Rhamnaceae family. Native to Eastern Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Myanmar, this species thrives in hilly regions below 1,400 meters altitude. The berries, locally referred to as 'Toran' in Marathi, hold cultural significance and are collected by the population in the Western Ghats for both personal consumption and sale. The bark and wood of the Zunna Berry tree are utilized medicinally, particularly for treating dysentery in certain regions.
| Botanical Name | Ziziphus rugosa |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Synonyms | Zizyphus rugosa |
| Order | Rosales |
| Family | Rhamnaceae |
| Species | Ziziphus rugosa |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Genus | Ziziphus |
| Range | E. Asia - India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar |
Ziziphus rugosa boasts diverse medicinal applications, with various plant parts being used for herbal formulations. Across different regions, the natives incorporate the bark, fruit, leaves, flower, and root into traditional remedies. In South India, the dried stem bark is recognized for its astringent properties, utilized for ailments such as mouth ulcers and diarrhea. The fruit, known as Churna, is considered famine edible and is ground to prepare dosa. Additionally, the berries are applied topically to treat boils, showcasing the multifaceted nutritional and medicinal value of Zunna Berry.
Zunna Berry exhibits characteristics typical of the Rhamnaceae family. It is a scandent shrub adorned with recurved thorns. The leaves are ovate-orbicular, featuring fulvous-tomentose undersides and a crenulate margin. The subsessile flowers, measuring 5 mm across, bear tomentose sepals on the outside. The disk is flat and glabrous, while the ovary is densely tomentose and 2-celled, with two curved styles. The fruit, a globose drupe up to 1.3 cm in size, is characterized by its white, glabrous appearance.
Insufficient information is available to determine the safety of Zunna Berry for various medical conditions. Further research is needed to assess potential side effects and interactions with other medications.
Traditional uses of Zunna Berry vary across regions. In South India, it is employed for treating ulcer, skin diseases, cough, diarrhea, and hypotension. The berries, popularly known as Toran, are utilized for wound healing and addressing diarrhea. In the central Western Ghats, Karnataka, the fruit is used as a coolant and to keep the body hydrated. While the nutritional and medicinal effectiveness is evident, scientific evidence is insufficient to establish its efficacy for certain conditions like liver disease, muscular conditions, and dry skin.
Limited information is available regarding the safety of Zizyphus rugosa, especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Caution is advised for individuals with diabetes, as Zunna Berry might lower blood sugar. If used in amounts larger than those found in food, individuals should monitor their blood sugar carefully. Moreover, individuals planning surgery should discontinue Zunna Berry at least two weeks before the scheduled procedure to avoid potential interference with blood sugar control and the central nervous system.
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