• Kharbat / Phalsa / खरबत / Phalsa / Grewia abutilifolia
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Kharbat / Phalsa / खरबत / Phalsa / Grewia abutilifolia

Local Name: Kharbat / Phalsa / खरबत

Common Name: Phalsa

Botanical Name: Grewia abutilifolia

Kharbat / Phalsa / खरबत / Phalsa / Grewia abutilifolia

Status & Habitat

  • Habitat: Shrub

  • Occurrence: Scrub, slopes on grassland

  • Season of Availability: Warmer parts of the year

  • Geography: East Asia

  • Method of Propagation: Seed propagation

  • Part used for Propagation: Seeds

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Fruits

  • Can be Eaten Raw: Fruits, yes.

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: Yes

  • Ripe: Yes

  • Both Raw & Ripe: Yes

  • Dangerous Form to Consume: Raw rest of plant

  • As Food: Ripe Fruit is eaten raw or unripe fruit is used in cooking

  • As Medicine: Plant mucilage has soothing properties; consumed to help with diarrhea and dysentary.

  • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: Not required

  • Boiling Before Cooking: Not required

  • Pickling: N/A

  • Brining: Yes

  • Fermenting: Yes

  • Drying for later Consumption: N/A

  • Overall Method: Fruit may be eaten raw and ripe, or made into sorbet or juice.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: N/A

  • Medicinal Benefit: Immunity booster

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Plant mucilage has soothing properties; consumed to help with diarrhea and dysentary.

Recipes

  • Tribal Recipe: Juice: Soak the fruits overnight, then boil with sugar if desired. Blend to a pulpy mix and strain with cheesecloth.