The black, small, sweet, sour and astringent fruit. Green when unripe. Become red to red-black when rare ripe and full black when fully ripe. The sweetest duhat / plum are those falling on grounds. Sounds crazy but its true. Try staying under the tree and wait for falling fruits.

Read about the health benefits and uses of duhat before going under the tree:

1) Analyses of the fruit show that it is a good source of calcium and fair source of iron.

2) Burkill states that vinegar is made from the juice of the unripe fruit in Malaya. The procedure for duhat wine making is found here. Can also processed to popular products such as jam and juices.

3) Bark contain 19 percent tannin and 1.67 percent garlic acid. Tannin can be useful in protecting kidneys. It also has antiviral, antibacterial and antiparasitic effects. Though intake in large quantities is toxic.

4) Duhat seed was recently suggested in reducing blood sugars of diabetic individuals. It is indeed used in India. The information needs further confirmation. There is no harm in consuming duhat seeds however. Its taste is bland.

5) A boiled bark is a cure for dysentery, diarrhea, enema and ulcers. Can also be used as gurgle. Dried and powdered roots have the same curative effect.

6) The fruit is known to be a remedy for diabetes mellitus (the same as number 4). Leaf and bark juice is also effective alternative. Carminative, diuretic and for head ringworm removal.

7) Leaf extract is an effective poultice – a medical dressing consisting of a soft heated mass of meal or clay that is spread on a cloth and applied to the skin to treat inflamed areas or improve circulation etc.

The side effect: It will make your teeth, gums and tongue dirty – a mixture of violet and blue stain.

benefits are compiled by bureau of plant and industry. image courtesy of wikipedia.