Ethnobiological Importance of Flacourtia jangomas (Lour.) Raeusch.

Flacourtia jangomas (Lour.) Raeusch is very important fruit crop of Gorakhpur region and indigenous to North-Eastern terai region U.P. Flacourtia jangomas is known to ethnic group of the region and serve the purpose of food and medicine with ornamentation of gardens and villages of the region. The leaves and young shoots which taste like rhubarb are astringent and stomachic. The leaf decoction is taken to halt diarrhoea. Powdered dried leaves are employed to relieve bronchitis and cough. Fruits are stewed as dessert, made into juice, syrup, jam, marmalade and pickles and also used in chutneys. The fruits are eaten to overcome biliousness, nausea and diarrhea. When slightly under ripe, it is used to make jellies. The ripe fruits contains significant amount of beta-carotene followed by lutein, zeaxanthin, retinol and phylloquinone (vit.K) which are important in the regulation of haemoglobin and fibrinogen in human body. It also contain alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins which proves its high antioxidant potential. Flacourtia jangomas is having restricted distribution and is underutilized. So special emphasis should be given for its sustainable utilization, extensive cultivation and conservation for their nutraceutical and biofuctional usage through proper agro techniques in different regions of the country through polyvalent biofunctional bioprospection for health, economy, environment and food security of the country.