Sugar Apple: Good juicy, sweet flesh and seeds are natural pesticides

Tamil:  Seethaphalam

English : Custard Apple

botanical name :  'ANNONA SQUAMOSA'.

Unrelated to the ubiquitous apple, the sugar is a tree native to the tropics of South America and is now grown in many regions around the world, from China to Africa. The sugar apple, also known  intensely in India, where horticulturalists have identified ten different cultivated varieties.

The sugar apple grows in tropical and subtropical areas, but it flourishes in a variety of soil types, and is moderately resistant to drought. This flexibility has allowed it to grow on five continents.

The principle use of sugar apples is raw consumption  of the fruit, which are segmented, knobby clusters of juicy, sweet flesh.  In Malaysia, the fruits are frequently squeezed through a sieve and the juice is added to ice cream or milk for a sweet treat. High in calories and iron, this fruit is good for providing extra nourishment for people in the tropics and subtropics.

When eating a sugar apple, one must mind the seeds, which are abundant, hard, and toxic if ingested. This toxicity , however, has shown promise as a natural pesticide. Oil extracted from the seeds has been shown in studies  to be as effective as conventional pesticides at eliminating pests from crops such as tomatoes, melons, and soybeans in greenhouse conditions. Furthermore, subsequent testing showed that the compounds break down quickly, are no longer toxic after two days, and are completely inactive after eight days. The same potency allows seed powder to be used as a lice treatment.

Ironically, the sugar apple has proven vulnerable to a variety of pests and blights, which has discouraged its cultivation in the Caribbean and South America. Indian growers have developed several techniques to counter these pests, which may help reignite the sugar apple’s popularity in the Americas. In Florida, for example, tropical fruit crop specialist JH Crane  rated the commercial expansion potential  for sugar apples and related hybrids as “good” and “excellent,” respectively.

As sugar apple cultivation expands, the trees could be grown alongside other crops, providing natural pesticides and enriching local diets with more variety. Sugar apples may prove to be more than just a casual tropical snack.

 

Custard apple benefits:

1.The seeds of the fruit have insecticidal and abortifacient properties.

2. Custard apple serves as an expectorant, stimulant, coolant and haematinic and is even useful in treating anemia.

3. Vitamin A present in the fruit is good for hair, eyes and healthy skin.

4. The fruit, in its unripe form, can be dried, crushed and used for treating diarrhea and dysentery.

5. The paste of the flesh of the fruit can be used for local application on ulcers, abscesses and boils.

   ( Skin infections such as abcessess or ulcers can be treated with custard apple. Simply grind the  flesh into a thick paste and apply it to the affected area.)

6. As it contains low fat levels, it is good for maintaining optimum health.

7. It is a rich source of dietary fiber, which helps in digestion.

8. Copper is yet another useful ingredient of custard apple.

 (copper which helps the body to form hemoglobin. This is especially useful for pregnant women as they need about 1000 micrograms of copper daily. Eating custard apples during pregnancy is therefore beneficial for the mother and child.) 

9. Potassium and Vitamin B6 are also present in custard apple.

10. Custard apple contains magnesium, which plays vital role in relaxing muscles and protecting heart against diseases.

11. Custard apple is a storehouse of Vitamin C, which is an anti oxidant and helps in neutralizing free radicals.

Custard apple recipes

Here is one of the many easy custard apple recipes.

Custard Apple cream

2 deseeded custard apples, pureed with a bit of lemon
500 g soft light cream cheese
3 tablespoons gelatin
1/3 cup boiling water
½ cup caster sugar
190 ml cream

Dissolve the gelatin into the 1/3 cup of boiling water. Beat the softened cream thoroughly and then Pour into mould/glasses and set for about 8 hours. 

Do you know of other local plants that can be used to provide natural protection from pests? Tell us in the comments!

  youtube  : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYhQQFyz6Oc

Mullberry - Reduces sugar and cholesterol levels in your blood

Botanical Name(s): Morus Alba                                                                  

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Urticales

Family: Moraceae

Tribe: Moreae

Genus: Morus L.

Species: Morus Alba L.

Popular Name(s): White Mulverry,

White Mulberry, Silk Worm Mulberry and Sang Zhi

Parts Used: Bark, leaves and roots

Habitat: Native to warm temperate and  subtropical regions of Asia, Africa and North America, with the majority of the species native to Asia.

   


These fruits, right, are very rich in iron, vital for maintaining a healthy count of red blood cells and preventing anaemia – a rare feature among berries.

They are also a good source of Vitamin C and have high levels of resveratrol, an antioxidant also found in red wine that is thought to ‘clean up’ pollutants in the body. Studies on rats found that resveratrol was effective against tumours of the skin, breast, lung and prostate.

 Most of us have never heard of mulberry which is sad,because the health benefit of consuming the fruit are numerous. Even I wasn't aware of this until I moved to my new house near Southern park Klang. One fine day i was walking with pet dog behind my house on a vacant land and I saw 2 mullberry  trees full of fruits dangling. In fact, many trees were found around Southern Park, Palm Grove and Taman Chi Liung.
When you are healthy,eating mulberry can prevent liver cancer , cure hypertension, relieve constipation, treat abdominal distention and strengthen your liver and kidney. Just eating a small amount of mulberries every single day will improve your appetite and make it easier to digest food.

Reverse the Effects of Alcohol

You will be extremely happy to have a bottle of mullbery juice stashed in your refrigerator when you have consumed too much  alcohol.After drinking mulberry juice you won't be toxicated as long and your hangover won't be nearly as severe.

 

 

 

Health benefits of mulberries



eating mulberries include improving circulation, cardiovascular health and renal health



• Delicious, fleshy, succulent mulberries are low in calories (just 43 cal per 100 g); but are rich source of many health promoting plant derived compounds, minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.



* Mulberries have significantly high amounts of phenolic flavonoid phytochemicals called anthocyanins.   Scientific studies have shown that consumption of berries have potential health effects against cancer, aging and neurological diseases, inflammation, diabetes, and bacterial infections

• The berries contain resveratrol, another polyphenol flavonoid antioxidant. Resveratrol has been found to be protective against stroke risk by alteration of molecular mechanisms in blood vessels, reducing susceptibility to vascular damage through decreased activity of angiotensin (a systemic hormone causing blood vessel constriction that would elevate blood pressure) and increased production of the vasodilator hormone, nitric oxide.

• In addition, these berries are an excellent source of vitamin-C (36.4 mcg per 100, about 61% of RDI), which is also a powerful natural antioxidant. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin-C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents, counter inflammation and scavenge harmful free radicals.

Potential health effects against cancer

• They also contain good amount vitamin A, vitamin E and in addition to the above mentioned antioxidants also contain many other health promoting flavonoid poly phenolic antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin, ß-carotene and α-carotene in small but notably significant amounts. These compounds help act as protect from harmful effects of oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease process.

• Zeaxanthin, an important dietary carotenoid selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea where it is thought to provide antioxidant and protective light-filtering functions in the retina of eyes.

• Mulberries are excellent source of iron, which is a rare feature among berries, contains 1.85 mg/100 g of fruits (about 23% of RDI). Iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, determines the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. 



• They also good source of minerals like potassium, manganese, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.

• They are rich in B-complex group of vitamins and vitamin K. Contain very good amounts of vitamin B-6, niacin, riboflavin and folic acid. These vitamins are function as co-factors and help body in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Here are some serving tips:

• Fresh mulberry are generally eaten as they are without any additions.
• They mix well with other berry salads.
• They can be a great snack between meals.
• Mulberries are favored in jams, jellies, tart syrups etc.
• Dried mulberries can be used in pie fillings, mulberry muffins, cookies, cakes etc.
• They are used in ice-creams, smoothies and yogurt.

Mulberry Juice Recipe:

 

Ingredients:

• 2 cup mulberry fruits, rinsed
•  sugar according to your taste

Preparation:

1.   Use a blender to blend the mulberries for the juice. Strain  to  get the juice. Discard the skins and seeds.
2.   Place the tendered mulberries in a sieve, strain and press   with a fork to extract the juice. Filter the juice to remove   seeds and skins.
3.   Add the sugar and stir until dissolves. Add some ice cubes to chill if you wish. 

CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

* In Chinese traditional medicine, mulberries are seen as an important blood tonic as they are able to  cleanse the blood and at the same time, promote the production of red blood cells.
 

Rich in vitamin A, the fruit is used by the Chinese to strengthen the eyes and enhance the vision. Vitamin A is also capable of boosting your immune system as well as maintaining strong teeth and bones.

AYURDEDIC MEDICINE


Mulberry juice helps in relieving constipation in elderly people.

Mulberry Fruit Side Effects

There is very little research conducted to determine the side effects of mulberries.

 KNOWN FACTS
The white mulberry tree is native to China and was instrumental in the silk-producing industry because mulberry leaves were the sole food source for silk worms.