Indian Plum

(Wild Jujube)
Sanskrit: कर्कन्धू • Botanical: Zizyphus nummularia W. & A.

Shleshmataka (Lasoda/Gunda) is a moderate-sized deciduous tree found throughout India. The fruit is mucilaginous and sticky when ripe. The ripe fruit is eaten and used as a vegetable (pickled as Gunda). The bark is used in dyeing. The fruit is demulcent and used in cough and chest diseases. The mucilage from the fruit is used as a glue. The fruit increases Kapha due to its slimy nature. The bark decoction is used in fevers. Dose: As food; bark decoction 1-2 tola. Verse: 40.

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa)
Sweet (Madhura), Sour (Amla)
Quality (Guna)
Light (Laghu)
Potency (Virya)
Cold (Sheeta)
Post-digestive (Vipaka)
Sweet (Madhura)
Key Constituents
Vitamin C, Sugars, Tannins
Also Known As
English: Wild Jujube, Small Ber
Sanskrit: कर्कन्धू, क्षुद्रबदर
Hindi: झड़बेर, बोर

What is Indian Plum (Seera / शीरा)?

Shleshmataka (Lasoda/Gunda) is a moderate-sized deciduous tree found throughout India. The fruit is mucilaginous and sticky when ripe. The ripe fruit is eaten and used as a vegetable (pickled as Gunda). The bark is used in dyeing. The fruit is demulcent and used in cough and chest diseases. The mucilage from the fruit is used as a glue. The fruit increases Kapha due to its slimy nature. The bark decoction is used in fevers. Dose: As food; bark decoction 1-2 tola. Verse: 40.

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 6

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

  • Kaphavardhaka (increases Kapha)
  • Brinhana (nourishing)
  • Keshya (hair tonic)

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 6

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.