Syzygium cumini

Scientific name: Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels

Family: Myrtaceae

Synonym: Eugenia cumini (L.) Druce

Bengali/Vernacular name: Jam, Kalojam (Bengali); Kalajam (Noakhali).

Tribal name: Sibriyee, Sochi tobri, Mojibaong, Musbrisi (Marma); Chaku, Sabri (Mogh); Srebefung (Chak); Pramoii (khumi); Clanui (Murang); Inmui (Pangkhoa); Mrei-sthei (Rakhaing).

English name: Black plum, Jambolan, Java plum, Indian black-berry.

Description of the plant: A large, semigevergreen tree, up to 35 m tall and 4 m girth. Leaves opposite, petioled, lamina pale yellowish-green, elliptic-oblong to lanceolate, base cuneate, apex acuminate, margin distinctly undulate. Flowers in axillary or terminal panicle cymes; greenish white colour. Fruit a berry, globose, often somewhat curved, black, juicy and shining when thoroughly ripe, seed solitary.

Plant parts used: Bark.

Medicinal uses: Bark juice is taken for the treatment of bloody dysentery.

In the improvement of health, dried powdered bark with Ghee and some sugar is taken twice a day (3 tea spoons amount each time) for two weeks.

Decoction of bark is used as a gargle and mouthwash.

Distribution: It is very common throughout the country.

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