Sunday, March 24, 2013

All About Lasura (Cordia myxa, Cordia dochotoma)



Origin of Lasura
Lasura originates along the Himalayan tract up to 1,500 metres, with its natural habitat extending through the forests of India, Nepal and Myanmar. Today, Cordia trees are found in Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Polynesia, Australia.

Availability of Lasura in India
Lasura grows in moist and dry forests of the country, spreading throughout the northern states of Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Maharashtra, parts of the sub-Himayalan tract and the Western Ghats. Along with forests, Cordia trees prefer ravines and valleys for growing. Lasura is not as popular in the south of the country, but a single tree rests in Adyar’s Theosophical Gardens for those wishing to find one.

Lasura trees bear cherry-sized fruit from March through June in some parts of India, and July through August in other regions.



Where to find Lasura in India
Unripe lasura is easy to find when in season. This is because of its popularity in traditional dishes within Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh. The unripe fruits transport well, making them prime for distribution to far-off markets.

It’s worth noting that the fruit has more recognition in the rural, traditional areas of India: a business executive in Hyderabad would not be able to recognize the fruit, but a person who grew up in the small Kangral district of Himachal Pradesh or in rural Mysore would be quite familiar with the berry-like drupe.

Ripe lasura is not a commonly sold fruit, most likely because of its difficulty to transport and its high perishability. When in season, children, birds and monkeys tend to be the greatest enthusiasts of the sticky pink fruit.

Checking for Ripeness in Lasura
Lasura is green in its unripe state, slowly turning tan if it’s Cordia myxa and a light baby pink color if it’s Cordia dichotoma. As it overripens and falls from the tree, the fruit turns deep purple. These deeper-colored fruits indicate overripeness and shouldn’t be eaten.



Taste of Lasura
Green, unripe lasura has a sour taste that can easily be confused for raw mango in its pickled form. Its tart, tangy flavor makes it an ideal candidate for additional preparation, such as sauteeing and marinating.

Tan or pink ripe lasura’s taste is simple but tasteful—its gelatinous, slimy, mucous-like flesh is sugary and unassuming. No other flavors round out the fruit, as it’s not tart, acidic, bitter, or astringent. If one can overcome the bizarre snotty texture, they might enjoy the taste.

Nutritional Value of Lasura
According to a study published in a report titled, “Nutritional Value of some Nonconventional Plant Foods of India,” lasura contains the following composition:

2% Protein
92% Carb
2% Fat
2% Fiber

Per 100g:
394kcal
6mg Iron
275mg Phosphorous
55mg Calcium



Health Benefits of Lasura
Cordia species have been used in medicinal remedies for centuries. According to the book, “Indian Herbal Remedies,” the man regarded as the father of surgery in India, Sushutra, prescribed Cordia fruits as a coolant and astringent, to be used for biliousness, cough and internal haemorrhage. The bark paste was used for treatment on spider bites and eruptive boils. In Unani medicine, the fruit supplemented purgatives as a way of counteracting their bad side effects. Other properties of the fruit include acting as a demulcent, expectorant, diuretic and antihelmintic.

Lasura has a number of well-documented health benefits:
--A 2001 study published in “Nutrition” found that Cordia myxa fruit acted as an anti-inflammatory, remedying the effects of an inflamed colon, liver and plasma.
--According to a study published in “Phytotherapy Research,” Cordia myxa decreased blood pressure, thus acting as a potent hypotensive agent.
--A 2005 study published in the “Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research” affirmed the fruit’s traditional use as a diuretic.
--According to a 2007 study published in the “Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicine,” the liver-protecting abilities displayed by the leaves of Cordia dichotoma were comparable to sylmarin, a well-known drug prescribed for liver damage.
--A 2009 study published in “The Internet Journal of Pharmacology” found that Cordia dichomtoa fruits possess significant anti-ulcer properties.
--A 2009 study published in “Pharmacology Online” found that the leaves contain potent analgesic, cytotoxic and anti-bacterial activity.
--A 2011 study published in the “International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research” affirmed lasora fruit’s traditional use as an antidiabetic.



How to Open/Cut:
Lasura does not need peeling, but the seed requires removal if it’s to be used in recipes. Simply cut in half and use a small spoon to remove the mucilaginous seed from the center of the lasora.

Expect sticky fingers after handling the small fruits.

Storage:
Unripe lasura keeps for a month when placed in a small plastic bag in the refrigerator.

Ripe fruits have a much higher perishability and will keep ony for one week in similar conditions. To avoid bruised, splitting fruits that will invariably cause a slimy mess, spread ripe fruits in a shallow container. Better yet, put ripe lasura in a clamshell container similar to those used for other sensitive, perishable fruits like raspberries and blueberries.

Lasura Recipe Ideas and Uses:
--Make pickled lasura (also known as pickled gunda) by heating oil and stirring in spices such as chili powder, mustard seed, cumin, fenugreek and turmeric. Cut and remove the seeds from the lasura, and add the halves to the oil to coat in the spices. If desired, add raw mango. Transfer to a jar, where it will keep for six months in the fridge.
--Use ripe pickled fruits akin to capers: top on vegetables, marinated tofu, and add to soups. These uses are especially popular in Taiwanese cuisine. In fact, jars of the pickled fruit look no different than, say, olives.



Flavor Complements:
Ker, raw mango, raw papaya, lemon, garlic, ginger, vinager, chili, turmeric, cumin

Random Facts:
Some offices simply rub lasura’s gelatinous flesh across envelopes as a substitute for glue. This additional function of the fruit could be the source of lasura’s other name, the glue berry.

Binomial Name:
Cordia dichotoma
Cordia myxa
Cordia oblique
Cordia latifolia

Other Names:
Glue berry
Gunda
Indian cherry
Clammy cherry
Fragrant manjack
Assyrian plum
Bocote



Goborhut, bahubara (Assamese)
Bahubara, boch (Bengali)
Lasora (Hindi)
Dieng mong (Khasi)
Naruvari (Malayalam)
Lamkelaba (Manipuri)
Bahuvarah (Sanskrit)
Naruvili, citam (Tamil)
Bankanakkera (Telegu)

Related Fruits:
Cordia domestica
Yellow cordia (Cordia lutea)
Beach cordia (Cordia subcordata)
Bairola (Cordia vestita)
Texas olive (Cordia boisseieri)
Scarlet cordia (Cordia sebestina)
*These are just a handful of related trees: the Cordia genus has over 300 species. Not all of these species are edible—India’s varieties described in the above entry are considered some of the tastiest. 





30 comments:

  1. Thanks for this- I didn't realise that this is gunda, which I love in pickles!

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  2. Hello Catherine, any idea whether seeds from unripe fruits will germinate? I'd like to find links that tell me how to grow Cordia from seeds. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the plant grows from the roots, don't think the seeds grow, so the next time you see the tree look for some roots

      Delete
    2. the plant grow from the seeds very easily, if proper soil is provided specially if in a separate container (flowerpot).
      let me share one thing with catherine, that we have the magical tree lasura in or home from many years .my grandmother says that women took lasura for the woman who are not getting pregnant, boil 1 cup of lasura with 2 cups of water an boil until it remains half, when cold drink it from the 2nd day of periods for 3 days.

      Delete
    3. Not sure of if getting confused between Gunda/lasura - Cordia myxa, Cordia dochotoma or Cordia gharaf (Gundi or Liyar) medicine u r referring. Have seen article on Gundi or Liyar on net pls ref. http://www.shahemeeran.com/index.php/2015/05/19/tree-of-gondi/tree-of-gundi/

      Delete
    4. I have easily grown lots of saplings from home grown ripe fruits..

      Delete
  3. it is also made into a dry vegetable when its raw and it tastes really good. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. would anyone advise the benefits of the Lasura please. thanks

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    Replies



    1. Health Benefits of Lasura

      Cordia species have been used in medicinal remedies for centuries. According to the book, “Indian Herbal Remedies,” the man regarded as the father of surgery in India, Sushutra, prescribed Cordia fruits as a coolant and astringent, to be used for biliousness, cough and internal haemorrhage. The bark paste was used for treatment on spider bites and eruptive boils. In Unani medicine, the fruit supplemented purgatives as a way of counteracting their bad side effects. Other properties of the fruit include acting as a demulcent, expectorant, diuretic and antihelmintic.




      Lasura has a number of well-documented health benefits:

      --A 2001 study published in “Nutrition” found that Cordia myxa fruit acted as an anti-inflammatory, remedying the effects of an inflamed colon, liver and plasma.

      --According to a study published in “Phytotherapy Research,” Cordia myxa decreased blood pressure, thus acting as a potent hypotensive agent.

      --A 2005 study published in the “Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research” affirmed the fruit’s traditional use as a diuretic.

      --According to a 2007 study published in the “Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicine,” the liver-protecting abilities displayed by the leaves of Cordia dichotoma were comparable to sylmarin, a well-known drug prescribed for liver damage.

      --A 2009 study published in “The Internet Journal of Pharmacology” found that Cordia dichomtoa fruits possess significant anti-ulcer properties.

      --A 2009 study published in “Pharmacology Online” found that the leaves contain potent analgesic, cytotoxic and anti-bacterial activity.

      --A 2011 study published in the “International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research” affirmed lasora fruit’s traditional use as an antidiabetic.

      Delete
  5. There is a tree in Lalbagh ( Bangalore) if this is the same as the ' glue tree'. The seeds sprout easily.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Kannada name for lasura is challakai. Its pickle is more popular in North karnata

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kannada name for lasura is challakai. Its pickle is more popular in North karnata

    ReplyDelete
  8. LasOORA SEEDS HAVE HOLES THAT HAVE INSECTS INSIDE IT. wHAT IS THAT INSECT SPECIES?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Good knowledgeable article. In our childhood time we used to paste our notebook with ripe lesues

    ReplyDelete
  10. Are these fruits good for jointhealth

    ReplyDelete
  11. what are the synonyms of cordia dichotoma?

    ReplyDelete
  12. How to get powder from lahsora?
    Please email me.
    eldoradopk87 @gmail come.
    I have lahsora tree in my house which bears lahsora like big jujube.
    How can I powder it?

    ReplyDelete
  13. How to get powder from lahsora?
    Please email me.
    eldoradopk87 @gmail come.
    I have lahsora tree in my house which bears lahsora like big jujube.
    How can I powder it?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi, I am doing some business in cordia dichotoma fruit, and I would like to buy the plenty of cordia dichotoma fruit.
    Could you tell me where is the market of cordia dichotoma fruit in India exactly?
    Email me please, many thanks.
    hukai89@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In my locality i can collect fruit per day 100kg in seasonal only contact 988-4-88-3-555

      Delete
  15. Replies
    1. Hai My family use as a soap oil light foaming with smooth soothness feel all the day.Now i am decided to manufacturing hand shop liquid with out chemical.i need preservative for this herbal base .

      Delete
  16. i just want to know about Cordia dichotoma's fruit chemical constituent ...anybody can tell me that?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hello. Can we eat approx 100-120 gram
    ( 1 small bowl) lasoda sabji ? How much lasoda is too much or over eat?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi, Catherine,
    PLEASE let me know about this fruit Lasora;
    1- the best time to eat this fruit
    2- how many pieces are safe to eat
    3- what are the side effects
    4- does this fruit is beneficial for joints
    5- I am 56 years male, taking one tab for hypertension BUT BP under control.
    6- Not diabetic or any other health problems.
    Thanks and regards,

    ReplyDelete
  19. In Maharashtra this fruit called as "Churan"

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  20. A study was conducted during 2004 on seed germination and vegetative propagation through budding in lehsua (Cordia myxa L.) at Jodhpur. The result of the experiment on seed germination indicated occurrence of epigeous type of germination with the occasional emergence of two seedlings from single seed. The treatment of seed with gibberellic acid (GA 3, 250 and 500 ppm) promoted germination significantly while KNO 3 failed to influence germination irrespective of its concentration and duration of treatment. Rubbing the stem end of hard seed coat with sand paper followed by soaking them in gibberellic acid (500 ppm) for 2 hr resulted in highest germination (66.66%). The experiment on the effect of time of budding lehsua on its own seedling rootstock as well as on another species (Cordia gharaf) showed maximum bud take of 91.66% when budded on 15 July on both the rootstocks. However, budding with approximately equal success rate could be done up to 15 September.

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  21. Can we eat this in pragnancy time?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hello
    I found small insect inside the seed of lasura, My question is how these insect goes inside the seed, because I never found a single hole any rot on the fruit. And what kind of insect are these.

    ReplyDelete