Karonda is native to the Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Malacca and Sri Lanka, and was introduced to Java where it now
runs wild. Carissa grandiflora is a close relation of Karonda, and this is called the Natal plum and Hedge Thorn.
The karonda fruit is an astringent, antiscorbutic and as a remedy for
biliousness and useful for cure of anaemia. In traditional medicine the fruit is used to improve female libido and to remove worms from the intestinal tract. The fruits has anti-microbial and
antifungal properties and its juice used to clean old wounds which have become infected. The fruit have an analgesic action as well as an anti-
inflammatory one. The juice can be applied to the skin to relieve any skin problems. Traditionally Karonda has been used to treat
anorexia and insanity.
A leaf decoction of Karonda is used against fever, diarrhoea, and earache. The roots serve
as a stomachic, vermifuge, remedy for itches and insect repellent.
Traditional medicinal uses of Karonda
. Traditional healers of Chhattisgarh having expertise in treatment of different types of cancer from Karonda. They use its different plant parts to dress the cancerous
wounds and to kill the maggots. To prepare the Karonda decoction, its roots, flowers, spines, leaves and fruits are mixed in equal proportion
and crushed to make an aqueous paste. This paste is applied at very initial stages. This paste is boiled in water and when half quantity
of water remains, the boiling is stopped and lukewarm decoction is used to wash the cancerous wounds. The healers claim that this decoction is having immense potential to heal the wound and make it
infection free. In many ways, it acts in more promising ways than Neem (Azadirachta indica) plant parts. Many healers boil the aqueous paste in
Sarson (Mustard seed) oil and when all watery contents evaporate, the boiling is stopped and special oil is used for wound dressing.
Side effects: Roots contain cardiac glycosides that can lower (slightly) blood pressure.
Karonda is good appetizer. Its regular in the cropping season, flushes out the intestinal worms. Karonda is used mainly used for making pickle,
for making jelly, jam, squash, syrup and chutney. Ripe fruits exude a white latex when severed from the branch. The fruits have astringent properties and have been used for tanning and dying.
The ripe fruit emits a gummy latex when it is cooked, but yields a rich red juice which clears when it is cooled, so this is used a refreshing
cooling drink in hot weather. It is also sometimes substituted for apples to make an apple tart, with cloves and sugar to flavor the fruit.
Usually the fruit is pickled before it gets ripened. Ripe Karonda fruit contains high amount of pectin therefore it is also used in making jelly, jam, squash, syrup, tarts and chutney.
The sweeter types may be eaten raw out-of-hand but the more acid ones are best stewed with plenty of sugar.
In Rajasthan karonda fruits are commonly cooked with green chillies to make a tasty dish taken with chapattis.
The Karonda tree has many uses as it is used in traditional medicine, and modern medical research has found that it has many beneficial properties.
Its leaves feed the tussar silkworm; the wood is used for making household utensils, such as large cooking spoons, and the root can be pounded to a paste to make insect repellant. The fruits have astringent properties and have been used for tanning and
The Karonda juice can be applied to the skin to relieve any skin problems. Histamine is emitted from the bruised roots.
Traditionally Karonda has been used to treat anorexia and insanity. The
stem is used to strengthen the tendons and the leaves contain the same triterpene acids as*Lantana camara* or Yellow Sage. It has anti-pyretic activities helpful in reducing fevers.
The global markets of raw or mature Karonda fruits are the most suitable for pickle making, which is liked very much all over the India.
These can also be used for making jelly and candy. Ripe fruits can be processed into a squash, syrup or a ready to serve bottled drink. They can also be dried.
Karonda fruit jelly, jam, squash, syrup and chutney are of great demand in the international market. The commercial preparation of jelly, jam, squash, syrup and chutney are
made for domestic use and export by food processing companies.