Vela Karanj / वेल करंज / Indian Beech / Derris trifoliata

  • Local Name: Vela Karanj / वेल करंज
  • Common Name: Indian Beech
  • Botanical Name: Derris trifoliata

Status & Habitat

  • Habitat: Tree

  • Occurrence: Coasteal swamps, Backwaters, Mangroves

  • Season of Availability: Year-round

  • Geography: Up to 1200 feet from sea level; nearer to the coast; Sagar Kinara; humid areas

  • Method of Propagation: N/A

  • Part used for Propagation: N/A

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Leaves, bark, seeds

  • Can be Eaten Raw: Yes, in the suggested dosages. However it is suggested that one takes products formulated with the plant extract because Karanj on its own can be harsh.

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: N/A

  • Ripe: N/A

  • Both Raw & Ripe: N/A

  • Dangerous Form to Consume: Karanj cakes are toxic for animal feeding.

  • As Food: N/A

  • As Medicine: Decoction of roots is used for treating fevers.

  • Cooking Method: Press the oil out of the Karanj seeds to make Karanj oil.
    Crush the Karanj leaves with water to make Karanj juice.

  • Preservation / Curing Technique: Artificial plant extracts can be made

  • Does Require Another Plants to be cooked together: No

  • Souring Agents Required: N/A


Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: Cures lumps that may form in the body. Management of skin ailments. Reducing symptoms of piles and diabetes.

  • Medicinal Benefit: Decoction of roots is used for treating fevers.

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Rub the Karanj stem against teeth and gums to clean and strengthen them. Fruits were used as remedies for abdominal tumours.

Recipes / Usage

  • Tribal Recipe / Usage: N/A