2019, Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part A

author(s)
Arti Sharma and Jyoti Bhardwaj

abstract
Myrica nagi, kaphal, a wild fruit of sub-temperate evergreen tree found throughout various districts of mid Himalaya regions mostly the areas situated in Himachal Pradesh. It is wildly present in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. Tree has medium height of 20 to 25 feet. Fruits are small seed, bright deep red in color turning nearly purple at full maturity. Fruit has pleasant, sweet and sour taste but it does not keep for very long time, not more than two days. It contains various active chemical compounds such as myricetin, myricitrin and glycosides. It is important shrub used in traditional medicines to treat various diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid and dysentry. It also shows anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory properties. Kaphal fruit has flooded in the market of various districts of Himachal Pradesh mostly in Mandi. Increase in use of this tree as fruit and in medicines, results in declining of yield as per season. So it is important to protect this wild fruit for future use.