Chironji Oil
Chironji tree belongs to the Anacardiaceae plant family. The Chironji oil is extracted from this medium-sized tree. This deciduous tree grows up to a maximum height of 50 ft. Chironji trees are popularly known as the best variety of trees to afforest the empty or bare forest lands. The leaves of this tree are straight with parallel veins with about 10 to 20 pairs. These leaves are thick and leathery with a rounded base. The Chironji flowers bloom during the spring season. These flowers are greenish-white in color. The flowering season is between January to March. Chironji flowers are characterized with 3 to 5 lobed calyx. The special flowers of Chironji tree have 4 to 5 petals that are ovate and measure about 1 mm long. The fleshy disc contains an ovary that has 5 to 6 carpels, among which only 1 carpel is fertile in nature. The flowers are followed by the single-seeded Chironji fruits. The fruits generally ripen between April to May. The seeds embedded in the Chironji fruits are familiar as edible nuts. The Charoli fruits are regarded as one of the most delicious wild fruits. These fruits are drupes that measure about 8 to 12 inches in diameter. The trunk of this tree is straight and cylindrical in shape bearing tomentose branches. The bark of the tree is as rough as the body of a crocodile. This bark is dark grey in color with a red blaze on it.
Charoli oil is extracted from the tasty Chironji seeds that are often used as a cheap substitute for almonds. Traditional Indians use these seeds in preparing delicious cuisines and sweets. The most popular sweet prepared with Chironji seeds by native users is called as ‘Chironji Ka Barfi’. This recipe is known for its mouth watering taste and high nutritional values. The oil extracted from Chironji seeds are also used for almond oil by many. Many special literatures rightly denote that Chironji oil is also a good substitute for olive oil.
Latin name: Buchanania lanzan
Alternative names: Charoli, Chironji, Chiranji
Chironji trees are generally found growing in clayey soils. This tree tends to avoid waterlogged areas. Each and every part of the Chironji tree, including the leaves, fruits, flowers, seeds, root and gum are used for either medicinal or culinary purposes. The gum benzoin produced by Chironji trees is similar to the Styrax benzoin but are slightly inferior in quality. The bark of these trees yields qualitative tannins that are used in tannin industries. Chironji oil has special properties like aphrodisiac, cooling, astringent, acrid, constipating, fattening, binding, cardio-tonic, digestive, purgative, carminative, blood purifying, laxative and depurative.
Uses: Chironji oil is used in the treatment of numerous health conditions like ulcer, diarrhea, fever, asthma, skin disorders, cough, urinary concretions, bowel disorders and biliousness. It is also used as a good tonic for assisting improved function of the brain and body.
