Cordia myxa

Cordia myxa is a species of flowering plant in the borage family, Boraginaceae. It is a medium-sized broad-leaved deciduous tree. Common names include Assyrian plum, lasura, laveda, pidar, panugeri, naruvilli, geduri, spistan, burgund dulu wanan and ntege. It is found growing primarily in Asia, as well as, across the globe especially in tropical regions having the right type of geophysical environment. It is seen coming up naturally and growing abundantly from Myanmar in the east to Lebanon and Syria in the west. Its habitat starts at about 200 m above mean sea level in the plains and ascends to an altitude around 1,500 m in the hills.
Lasura matures in about 50 to 60 years by when its girth at the breast height is about 1 to 1.5 m. Its bole (main trunk) is generally straight and cylindrical, attaining a height of nearly 3 to 4 m. The branches spread in all directions by virtue of which its crown can be trained into a beautiful inverted dome like an umbrella. When fully grown up, the total height of the tree comes to nearly 10 to 15 m. In less favorable climate and or unfavorable environment, however, it has a lesser growth and may attain a somewhat crooked form. In still worse environments it can even remain a stunted shrub.
The bark of lasura is grayish brown in color with longitudinal and vertical fissures. The tree can be easily identified from a distance by observing the fissures which are so prominent in the bark of the main bole of a tree approaching maturity.
Cordia myxamay contain tumorigenic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Glue berry is scientifically known as (Cordia myxa), is well known for its nutritional benefits. Its plant mainly grows in Rajasthan and Gujarat. The unripe fruit of glueberry is green and used to make pickles or soup, also when it is ripe the fruit becomes sweet and can be eaten raw. The plant has some amazing benefits which are used for thousands of years in herbal medicine.
1. Glueberry for cough and respiratory issues
Research published in IOSR Journal of Pharmacy revealed that glueberry has anti-inflammatory properties which could suppress cough and chest congestion. The fruit pulp is mucilaginous and consuming the fruit, could help to relieve cough symptoms.The mucilaginous pulp present in the fruits contains plant sterol which is very beneficial in relieving cough. Also, the fruit can relieve sore throat and throat pain. In Unani medicine, the fruit extract is used to treat fever and cough symptoms.
2. Skin disorders
A study published in the Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine, applying the mucilaginous pulp of ripe glue berry or leaf extract can treat ringworm, Trypanosomiasis, and tse-tse fly bites. Also, its oral consumption can help to increase skin disorders. The tree bark powder when applied topically and on the plaster of broken bone can boost the healing process.
3. Glueberry for high blood pressure
High blood pressure is the most common disease across the world. A study published in 2016 revealed that Cordia myxa fruit has anti-hypertensive properties. The study was done for 5 weeks and it was found that this fruit extract can manage blood pressure levels and reduce oxidative stress. Also, scientific research was done on rabbits to test the hypotensive effect of Glueberry showed mucilage from both ripe and unripe fruit contains some blood pressure-lowering properties.
4. Antidiabetic property
Glueberry is very beneficial for the patient suffering from diabetes. It contains some compounds with diuretic properties. The research was published in the International Journal of pharmaceutical sciences and research, which revealed that glueberry fruit and its seed have anti-diabetic properties. However, its effect is not the same as Metformin but it is very beneficial for people struggling with abnormal blood sugar levels.
5. Glueberry for liver healing
The fruit has many liver healing activities. According to a study published in Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicine in January 2007 on rats, showed that the presence of oil, glycosides, flavonoids, sterols, saponins, terpenoids, alkaloids, phenolic acids, coumarins, tannins, resins, gums, and mucilage can have liver healing properties.
6. Anti-ulcer benefits of Glueberry
The anti-ulcer effect of this fruit was also tested in 2009 and was published in the Internet Journal of Pharmacology. In January 2011, research was published in Life science Journal, which showed that the effect of fruit extract of glueberry was tested on rats revealed that it contains some essential elements which can protect the stomach from ulcers.
7. Joint pain and arthritis
Regular consumption of Glueberry is known to relieve joint pain in people suffering from arthritis. In a study published in the Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, fruits and leaves contain analgesic properties that can relieve joint pain. However, it is not the complete replacement for medicine.

How to use Glueberries (Gunda or Lesua)
I.    If a person is suffering from sore throat, that he can boil the bark of Glueberry plant and can consume the water 3-4 times a day. Due to their anti-microbial and anti-viral properties, they can treat sore throat.
II.    During a skin inflammation, preparing a mixture of decoction and camphor of the bark of the tree and massaging it in the inflamed parts could relieve inflammation.
III.    If you are suffering from some skin conditions such as dry skin or skin itching then grind the seeds of glueberries and apply them on the itchy can help to relieve the symptoms. Elements present in Lasoda contain two percent protein, carbohydrate, fat, fiber, iron, phosphorus, and calcium.
IV.    The tribal people of Gujarat make the powder by drying the fruits of lasoda and mixing it with maida, gram flour, and ghee, and make laddoos. They believe that consuming this laddu gives strength and vigor to the body.
V.    By drinking a decoction of the bark of Lasoda, women get relief from menstrual problems.