Eugenia jambolana, Jambu

Java Plum, Black Plum, Black Cherry, Jambolan
Jambu, Mahaphala, Phalendra (Ayurveda)
Jamum (Unani)
Naval (Siddha)
sra ‘bras (Tibetan)
Wu Mo is the name of the leaf, used in TCM.

Eugenia jambolana
Herbarium Amboinense, Rumpf, 1755

Eugenia jambolana
Hoola van Nooten, B., Fleurs, fruits et feuillages choisis de l’ille de Java: peints d’apres nature, 1880

Botanical name:

Eugenia jambolana (syn. E. cuminii, Myrtus cuminii, Syzygium cuminii, S. jambolanum)
E. jambos (syn. Syzygium jambos)

Parts used:

Seed kernel is chiefly used in Ayurveda, Unani and Tibetan Medicine
The Fruit pulp and Bark are also used
Leaf is used in TCM

Temperature & Taste:

Cool, dry.
Some have claimed it Warm, other have said it’s Moist.

Uses:

1. Clears Heat of the Stomach and Liver:
-extract or vinegar of the fruit cools the Stomach and Liver
-increases Appetite when affected by Heat or Inflammation
-Bilious or Bloody Diarrhea, Dysentery (fruit or fruit kernel, Ayurveda, Unani; Leaf in TCM)
-fruit is useful in convalescence, especially after chronic Diarrhea or Dysentery

2. Strengthen the Kidneys, Promotes Urine:
-Edema, Scanty Urination (seed kernel, dried fruit)
-menstrual disorders associated with Kidney deficiency.

3. Stops Leakage, Astringes the Kidneys:
-Polyuria in the aged
-Diabetes, Lower Blood Sugar (Seed kernel; Ayurveda, Unani; approved by Commission E)
-relieves thirst in Diabetic patients
-chronic Kidney disorders in Tibetan Medicine
-bark is used as an astringent for Chronic Diarrhea

4. Externally:
-Swollen sores, Eczema (Leaf, TCM)
-bark is used as a gargle for spongy or bleeding gums and loose teeth
-bark is used as a gargle for Sore Throat

Dose:

Seed in Powder: 3–6 grams. 1 gram doses three times daily can be used long-term for Diabetes.
Fruit Pulp: 25 grams
Stem-Bark: 10–20 grams in decoction

Substitute:

Schisandra Wu Wei Zi can be used as a substitute for the seed kernel

Correctives:

Black Pepper and Salt (Unani)

Main Combinations:

The Three Seeds (Tibetan Medicine)
Eugenia jambolana (Sra Bras), Mango kernel and Caesalpinia (Jam Bras) are the Three Seeds of Tibetan Medicine. Together, they warm and strengthen the Kidneys.

1. Chronic Diarrhea, Eugenia jambolana seed kernel with Mango kernel and Chebulic Myrobalan (Unani)
2. Urinary obstruction, Urinary retention, Frequent Urination for Cold and Weak Kidneys, Eugenia jambolana seed kernel, Lesser Cardamon, Mango kernel and Caesalpinia (as in Cardamon 10 of Tibetan Medicine)
3. To Warm and tonify the Kidneys, Eugenia jambolana seed kernel, Soloman’s Seal, Asparagus root, Tibetan Angelica, Tribulus seed, Mirabilis himalaica, Shilajit
4. Diabetes
i. Taken alkone in 1 gram doses, three times daily on an extended basis has been effective.
ii. Gymnema with Eugenia jambolana seed kernel and Ginger root. This is continued for 2 or 3 months. (Unani)

Major Formulas:

Cardamon 19 (Sug smel bcu dgu)
Greater Salt Combination (Tshwa sbyor chen mo) (Tibetan)
Thlaspi 13 (Bre ga bcu gsum) (Tibetan)

Cautions:

None noted