Ice apple

Ice apple or  scientifically called Borassus flabellifer. It belongs to a family of plants called Arecaceae. Palmyra palm trees bear this tropical fruit also called ICE APPLE. It is spherical in shape and in color it is brown, black,light black.   is a less known tropical fruit of the palmyra palm tree.this fruit is eaten upon ripening and used in hot summers. It is of white color filled with juicy liquid , then coated with skin of orange or yellow color.It looks like a coconut fruit in structure. 

The ice apples have cooling properties due to its juicy and burly liquid. It contains many mixtures of vitamins and minerals required for the body. India,Malaysia, Sri Lanka,Indonesia have this palmyra palm and they export it to different parts of the world.

Due to Ice apple's high content of water, they come in the category of hydrant fruits.Vitamin A, B, C and minerals like Zinc, iron, potassium, calcium etc.

Properties of ice apple

Phytonutrients are the chemicals made or produced in plants to protect itself from invaders  and  phytochemical benefits to humans.  Ice apple fruit contains many  phytonutrients in them. Some properties of phytochemical that can benefits the human:

• They have Antioxidant properties.  
• They have Anti-inflammatory properties.   
• They have Antibacterial  properties.  
• They have Wound-healing  properties.  
• They have Sedative (might calm and induce sleep) properties.   
• They have Stomachic (may increase hunger)  properties.  
• They have Laxative (may relieve constipation)  properties.  
• They have  Diuretic (may excrete water from the body)  properties.  
• They have Anthelmintic (might act against parasitic infection)  properties.  
• They have Immune response suppressing properties.  

Uses of ice apple in health regard

Use of ice apple in skin disease

Ice apples have anti-inflammatory and its cooling properties that help in skin problems. Skin has many inflammation problems like boils, prickly heat, rashes. Ice apples can be used to make face packs and applied to the face. Applying a thin layer of this on the face or skin with rashes or inflammation areas.It will sooth the area and reduce the itchiness.of rashes or heat on skin. 

Uses of ice apple for people with diabetes

Ice apples are filled with vitamins and minerals and help the people suffering with diabetes. Due to its antihyperglycemic properties it helps to reduce the blood glucose level. A study conducted in animals shows that ice apples have helped in lowering the blood glucose level.Dried ice apples are eaten traditionally by people having diabetes.

Some more use of ice apple for different health problem

• Digestive problems in people are treated by ice apples.
• Constipation and bloating can be relieved in people by using ice apples. 
• Nausea and vomiting due to other problems or due to traveling can be treated by eating ice apples.
• Worm infestation in the digestive tract can be cured by anthelmintic properties of ice apple.
• Due to its properties it can be used as an expectorant (cough syrup). It helps to throw out the mucus in the nasal cavity.
• In hot summer we can be affected by heat stroke due to dehydration. It is juicy and helps the body to gain its water level and nutrients level.
• Urinary tract can be affected by urea or cyst . this ice apple an help to reduce the pain
• Malnutrition  in children can be treated by ice apples.

Use like diets

Palmyra palm fruits are juicy, delicious, and sweet. And can be used to make many things

• Ice apple pulp is tender and can be used to make drinks like coconut water.The soft core area inside ice apple contains flavoury  juice, which you can drink like nariyal pani. 
• Ice apples can be dried and put in vinegar to eat with dishes. 
• Ice apples are used in making juice, sattu, candy etc.  
• It can be sun dried  to make dishes like punatoo.and by roasting it can be eaten. 
• Jam, soft candy can be made from it.

Side effect of ice apple

Eating ice apples does not have any side effects, there are no clinical reports. In case of any side effect after consuming it please go to ayurvedic doctor who prescribed it to you

Precautions to Take With Ice Apple

Ice apples should always be consumed in small amounts. However some precaution can be kept in mind: 

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not be consumed without doctors advised. There is little information supporting it but you should be careful in eating. 
• Ice apples are highly nutritious and reactive to the body so be careful in giving them to children or olds, because they might develop some reaction in the body.
• It should not be amalgamated with other herbs  to make suppliment without advice. Do not self medicate with ice apples. 

Conclusion

Ice apples are filled with nutrition and minerals. It can cure many diseases like diabetes. Ayurveda prefers eating it alone, not mixed with other herbs causing it to react. Many drinks are made from it and can be used in dishes. Medicinal properties are outstanding but use it on doctor advice. Please read for more information.