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    Health benefits of Khirni

    By SylviaApril 9, 2021Updated:April 9, 2021No Comments9 Mins Read
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    Manilkara hexandra popularly known as Ceylon Iron Wood or Khirni is a tree species in the tribe Sapoteae, in the family Sapotaceae. The plant is native to much of south Asia (China: Hainan and southern Guangxi provinces; the Indian Subcontinent: Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka; Indo-China: Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Its vernacular names differ regionally; for example Palu, Palai (பாலை) in Tamil or Rayan (පලු) in Sinhalese. It is locally known as the Khirni tree in parts of Bangladesh and India. In the Tamil language it is called Ulakkaippaalai or Kanuppaalai. Some of the popular common names of the plant are Ceylon Iron Wood, milk tree, wedge-leaved ape flower, Rayan and khirni. The wood of the plant is hard, durable, and heavy and is used for heavy structural work, gate posts, and big beams. It is used for turning and carpentry in spite of the difficulties of working with such dense wood. The plant is also used as rootstock for Manilkara zapota, and its own fruit is edible.

    Khirni Facts

    Khirni Quick Facts
    Name: Khirni
    Scientific Name: Manilkara hexandra
    Origin South Asia (China: Hainan and southern Guangxi provinces
    Colors Initially green turning to reddish-yellow as they mature
    Shapes One seeded berry, obovoid-oblong or ellipsoid, 1.5 mm long and 8 mm wide
    Taste Sweet, pungent
    Health benefits Cures Fevers and Jaundice, Augments Kidney Function, Heals Skin Infections, Alleviates Stomach Ulcers, Enhances Immunity
    Name Khirni
    Scientific Name Manilkara hexandra
    Native South Asia (China: Hainan and southern Guangxi provinces; the Indian Subcontinent: Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka; Indo-China: Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam
    Common Names Ceylon Iron Wood, milk tree, wedge-leaved ape flower, Rayan, khirni
    Name in Other Languages Bengali : Krikhiyur, Khirani (খিরনি)
    Chinese:  Tie xian zi (铁线子), Tie se
    English :  Ceylon iron wood, Milky tree
    Gujarati: Khirani (ખિર્ની), Rayana (રાયન)
    Hindi: Drirh (दृढ़), Khirni (खिरनी), Kshiri (क्षीरी), Rayan (रायन), Kshiri
    Irula: Palai maram
    Kannada : Bakula, hale hannu, khiranee, kiraale, kiraanimara, kirani hannina mara, kirani mara, kirhaale, ksheera vriksha, ksheerini, mukula, pete, nn, pakkalada, pakkila
    Konkani: Karni (कर्णी), Ranjana (रांजण)
    Malayalam: Krini (കൃണി), paḻamunpāla (പഴമുന്പാല)  Pazhamunpaala, Pazhamunpaala, Mullupala, Khirni, khrini, Pazhamunppala, Krini (കൃണി), manilakkara, palamunnippala, palamunpala, elengi, pala, pali
    Marathi: Karani (करणी), Khirni (खिरणी), Rajana (राजण ), Ranjana (रांजण), Rayan (रायण), Rayani (रायणी), khiranee (खिरणी), kirni, raajana, raini, ranjana, rayan, rajana
    Nepalese:  Khirni (खिरणी)
    Persian: خیز نی
    Sanskrit:  Kshirini (क्षीरिणी), Nimbabija (निम्बबिज), Rajadana (राजादन), rajadana, rajadanah, dhupeshtha, drdhaskandha, dridhaskandha, guchhaphala, jara, kapishtha, kshirashukla, kshiravriksha, kshiri, kshirika, kshirini, ksiri, ksirika, ksirini, madhavodbhava, madhuphala, nimbabija, nripadruma, phaladhyaksha, rajadani, rajahvam, rajanya, rajaphala, shriphala
    Sindhi: کيرڻي(وڻ)
    Tamil:  Ulakkaippalai (உலக்கைப்பாலை), palai (பாலை), Kanupala,Kannupala,Ulakkaipaalai,  kannupalalai, kanupala, karupala, kirni, palla, patla, pola, ullakai-palai, attukkompuppalai, attukkottuppalai, civa, mesakkotu, metakkotu, pala, palai 1, palai mukil, sivandi, sivani, sukkilam, ulakkaipalai, ulakkaippalai, ulakkaippali, vatuvati
    Telegu: Ankalu (అంకాలు),  Nandivriqshamu (నందివృక్షము), Palachettu  (పాలచెట్టు), Ankalu (అంకాలు), kirni, manchipala, manjipaala, nemmi, nunni paala, pala, palapandu chettu, patla, pola, puttapala, mancipala, manjipala, nienni, nunni, pal, pale, palla, pallapandu, palle, pallepaulo
    Tibetan: Ra dza da na (d), ra dze da na
    Thai: Ked (เกด)
    Urdu: Tukhm khirini
    Plant Growth Habit Small to medium sized, slow-growing but fairly large glabrous evergreen tree
    Soil Prefers a well-drained soil and a pH in the range 6 – 7
    Plant Size About 12 to 25 meters tall and one to three meters in trunk circumference
    Bark Bark blackish-grey, longitudinally fissured and cracked, rough; blaze crimson red; exudation milky
    Wood Hard, heavy, and durable, weighing 70 pounds per cubic foot
    Leaf Simple, alternate, often closely clustered towards the end of branchlets, with conspicuous scars. Petiole is 8-20 mm, slender, slightly grooved above and glabrous
    Flowering season August-December
    Flower Bisexual, 7 mm across, white, 1 or 2 axillary. Pedicel is thick about 3.5 cm long. Sepals are ovate- triangular, 3-4 mm, yellowish gray velvety. Flowers are white or light yellow, about 4 mm
    Fruit Shape & Size One seeded berry, obovoid-oblong or ellipsoid, 1.5 mm long and 8 mm wide
    Fruit Color Initially green turning to reddish-yellow as they mature
    Seed Ovoid, reddish brown with shining testa
    Propagation By seeds
    Taste Sweet, pungent
    Plant Parts Used Bark, fruits
    Health Benefits
    • Cures Fevers and Jaundice
    • Augments Kidney Function
    • Heals Skin Infections
    • Alleviates Stomach Ulcers
    • Enhances Immunity
    Culinary Uses
    • The ripe fruit tastes similar to sapota. It is eaten either fresh or dried.
    • A pale yellow oil, known as rayan oil, is obtained from the seed kernels.
    • The bark is added to palm sugar to inhibit fermentation.

    Plant Description

    Khirni is a small to medium sized, slow-growing but fairly large glabrous evergreen tree that normally grows about 12 to 25 meters tall and one to three meters in trunk circumference. It grows in tropical and temperate forests. Bark is blackish-grey, longitudinally fissured and cracked and rough. The wood is hard, durable, and heavy; the density is variously reported as ranging from about 0.83 to 1.08 tons per cubic meter, partly depending on the degree of drying. It is used for heavy structural work, gate posts, and big beams.

    Leaves

    Leaves are simple, alternate, often closely clustered towards the end of branchlets, with conspicuous scars. Petiole is 8-20 mm, slender, slightly grooved above and glabrous. Leaf blade is 5-10 cm long and 3-4.5 cm wide, elliptic, elliptic-obovate, obovate or ovate-oblong. Both surfaces are smooth, base broadly wedge shaped to obtuse. Margin is entire, glabrous and coriaceous. Lateral nerves 10-20 pairs are closely pinnate, slender, midrib raised below; intercostae reticulate.

    Flower

    Flowers are bisexual, 7 mm across, white, 1 or 2 axillary. Pedicel is thick about 3.5 cm long. Sepals are ovate- triangular, 3-4 mm, yellowish gray velvety. Flowers are white or light yellow, about 4 mm. Petals are oblong, about 3 mm. Stamen 6-8, alternating with staminodes, bifid; staminodes shorter than stamen, filaments glabrous, lanceolate; ovary pubescent, 12-celled, superior; style 4-5 mm, subulate; stigma simple. Flowering normally takes place in between August-December.

    Fruits

    Fertile flowers are followed by one seeded berry, obovoid-oblong or ellipsoid, 1.5 mm long and 8 mm wide. They are initially green turning to reddish-yellow as they mature. Seeds are ovoid and about 1 cm long, reddish brown with shining testa.

    Ethno medical uses of Khirni in India

    Place, Country Parts Used Ethno Medical Use Preparation (s)
    Maharashtra  Fruit Arthritis, Blood purifier, Heat Burning, Jaundice  Mashed
    West Bengal  Bark, Fruits Jaundice, Biliousness  Decoction
    Andra Pradesh Leaves Asthma Decoction or Infusion
    Andra Pradesh  Stem Bark  Galactagauge Infusion
    Maharashtra     Fruit     Digestive disorder  Mashed
    Tamil Nadu Stem Bark, Leaves  Infertility, Veterinary  Infusion
    Rajasthan  Stem Bark, Fruit Fever, jaundice,  Decoction, Mashed
    Madhya Pradesh  Stem Bark, Fruit  Bronchitis, Dysentery   Decoction, Mashed
    Maharashtra and Gujarat Stem Bark, Fruit  Alimentary Disorders  Decoction, Mashed
    Tamil Nadu Stem Bark, Fruit  Fever, Hallucination Decoction, Mashed
    Andra Pradesh  Root Headache Infusion or Decoction
    Kodiakarai Latex Toothache Applied Directly
    Andra Pradesh Stem Bark Dysentery and Diarrhea Decoction
    Madhya Pradesh Stem Bark Tonic Decoction or Infusion
    Madhya Pradesh Stem Bark  Body ache Boiled

     

    Mature-fruits-of-Khirni Mature-fruits-of-Khirni
    Seeds-of-Khirni Seeds-of-Khirni
    Immature-Khirni Immature-Khirni
    Bark-of-Khirni Bark-of-Khirni
    Leaves-of-Khirni Leaves-of-Khirni
    Khirni-Tree Khirni-Tree
    Flowers-of-Khirni Flowers-of-Khirni
    Sketch-of-Khirni Sketch-of-Khirni
    Trunk-of-Khirni Trunk-of-Khirni
    Khirni Image Gallery

    Health Benefits of Khirni

    Listed below are some of the popular health benefits of Khirni

    1. Cures Fevers and Jaundice

    Juice derived from the pulp of khirni fruit is bestowed with valuable antioxidants – myricetin and quercetin, which supply significant antipyretic i.e. body temperature lowering traits. Drinking a glass of fresh khirni juice is a well-known remedy for fever and jaundice, vastly diminishing the symptoms of body pain and discomfort.

    2. Augments Kidney Function

    Khirni fruit is endowed with proteins, which aside from building strong muscles and promoting metabolism, also possess diuretic properties. This fosters normal excretory processes and helps to get rid of toxins, waste matter and undigested food accumulated in the system, by means of optimal kidney activity, thereby preventing kidney disorders.

    3. Heals Skin Infections

    Vast array of the triterpenoid plant chemicals in khirni make it a superb natural solution to treat skin infections. Additionally, khirni also possesses powerful antimicrobial properties. Applying the paste from fruit extract directly on the skin provides instant relief from rashes, itching and psoriasis, thus enriching its texture and restoring suppleness and radiance to the skin.

    4. Alleviates Stomach Ulcers

    Khirni fruits encompass noteworthy levels of tannins and saponins – valuable plant compounds that remarkably mend gastrointestinal ulcers. Adding a few slices of khirni fruit to breakfast or having it as a snack in the evening soothes the tummy, by regulating gastric acid volumes and stimulating protective mucosal secretions by the walls of the stomach.

    5. Enhances Immunity

    Immense quantities of vitamin C are found in khirni fruit, making it an advantageous food for improving the body’s defense mechanism. Antioxidant nature of vitamin C also aids in flushing out harmful free radicals from the system. Moreover, khirni fruit holds considerable antimicrobial potential, shielding the body from bacteria and viruses that trigger diseases.

    Traditional uses and benefits of Khirni

    • It is a medicinal tree used in the treatment of excess thirst, emaciation, bleeding disorders, ulcer, bronchitis, jaundice, fever, arthritis etc.
    • It is used in  medicinal  herbal drugs to  cure various  diseases  such as jaundice,  ulitis,  odontopathy,  fever,  colic  dyspepsia, helminthiasis, hyper dyspepsia and burning sensation.
    • It is beneficial in swelling, abdominal colic, gout, rheumatism and toxicosis.
    • Traditionally Bark is used to treat a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders.
    • It improves taste, promotes physical strength and aphrodisiac in nature.
    • Stem bark decoction is used as effective remedy in dysentery and diarrhea.
    • Mashed fruits are taken to cure diseases like arthritis and jaundice, also used for heat burning, wormicide, and to purify blood by local population of Nawargaon village.
    • It purifies blood.
    • Leaf extract is used in the treatment of Asthma.
    • In toothache, latex of the tree is applied on teeth and gums.
    • Root extract is used in treatment of headache.
    • To relieve body ache, water boiled with stem bark is used for bathing.
    • Extract of stem bark is used as tonic.
    • Stem bark infusion is used to promote and increase breast milk.
    • Decoction of bark and mashed fruits is used in fever and hallucinations.
    • Decoction of bark  and mashed  fruits  are  used  in  sacred  groves  in  Pudukottai district  Tamil  Nadu  for  fever  and 
    • It is especially useful in treating gum problems and dental disorders such as bleeding gums, gum inflammation, sudden discharge of blood from gums, odontopathy etc.
    • Bark and seed coat are used for strengthening the gum.
    • They are useful in hallucinations, loss of consciousness, anorexia, bronchitis, leprosy and vitiated conditions of pitta.
    • Seeds are useful in ulcers and the opacity of the cornea.

    Other Facts

    • Wood is used for heavy structural work, gate posts, and big beams.
    • It is also used for turning and carpentry in spite of the difficulties of working with such dense wood.
    • This species is often used as a rootstock for the sapodilla (M. zapota) in India.
    • Its tender parts are used as tooth brush.

    References:

    https://en.wikipedia-on-ipfs.org/wiki/Manilkara_hexandra.html

    http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl/record/kew-120170

    https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/31542

    http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Ceylon%20Iron%20Wood.html

    https://uses.plantnet-project.org/en/Manilkara_hexandra_(PROSEA)

    http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Manilkara+hexandra

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    Khirni Scientific Classification

    Scientific Name: Manilkara hexandra

    Rank Scientific Name & (Common Name)
    Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
    Subkingdom Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
    Infrakingdom Streptophyta  (land plants)
    Class Magnoliopsida
    Order Ericales
    Family Sapotaceae
    Genus Manilkara
    Species Manilkara hexandra
    Synonyms
    • Kaukenia hexandra (Roxb.) Kuntze
    • Manilkara emarginata H.J.Lam
    • Mimusops hexandra Roxb.
    • Mimusops indica A.DC.
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