Mysore raspberry which is also known as snow peaks or hill raspberry is a large shrub that grows up to 15 feet high. It has dark green leaves. The flowers are five pink to rose purple-colored which occurs in terminal and axillary clusters. When ripened, the fruit turns purple and black. Clusters possess a dozen of fruits. The seed has irregular and slow germination.

Mysore raspberry is an edible fruit that is produced by many species in the genus Rubus in the rose family Rosaceae. It is widely cultivated for its edible fruit. The fruit is widely appreciated for its mild sweet aroma and dark red to black color. It is eaten in large quantities either fresh or as pie, jam, tarts, and jelly. Around December, the plants start to start to grow pink to rose-purple flowers that develop into small dark red to blackberries. The stems are hairless.

MYSORE RASPBERRY FACTS

Mysore raspberry is also known from common names such as Ceylon raspberry, Hill raspberry, Snow peaks, Huftoo, Kale hinge, and Kali anchor. Native to India, Southeast Asia, and China, it was naturalized in Hawaii and Galapagos Islands. In 1965, it was introduced to Hawaii. The seedlings were sent to parts of East Africa, Kenya, and South Africa from India. Then it spread to Florida. Mysore raspberry is also grown in Puerto Rico, Myanmar, Afghanistan, China, Thailand, and Malaysia. Mysore raspberries grow in roadsides and cleared fields but are also found in Maui and Kula. It is grown in moist deciduous, evergreen forests and grasslands.

Plant

Mysore raspberry is a perennial stout shrub that grows in a tropical climate and is 6 ½ ft. high. Leaves are pinnate, compound, elliptic to ovate to elliptic, 2.5-6 cm long, and 2-3 cm wide. The stems are glabrous, glaucous, hairless, cylindrical, and flexible. The shrub bears pink to rose-purple flowers of the obovate-suborbicular shape of 4-5 mm long. The flowers turn to subglobose fruit which has 1-2 cm as a diameter. The plant has sharp and hooked thorns which are 3-7 mm long.

History

The seeds were introduced in the 1930s from India to Kenya where Mysore raspberry was cultivated for years in the mountains. Then the seeds got posted to F.B. Harrington of Natal (South Africa) in 1947 before it was sent to the University of Florida’s Agricultural Research and Education Centre (USA) in 1948. The seeds were planted throughout Central and South Florida. In a few years, the plantation of Mysore raspberry got discarded because of the dense thorny thickets formation which made the harvesting of fruits troublesome.

From Florida, the seeds got posted to the University of Puerto Rico in 1955. Before arriving at the Galapagos archipelago they traveled to Honduras from Florida. It spread to Isabela, Floreana, and Santiago. R.niveus was expected to introduce from Florida (USA) to Costa Rica and Hawaii (USA). R.niveus was illustrated as an emerging threat in the USA, Central America, South Africa, and Australia.

It has got introduced in the world and is found in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, New South Wales, Queensland, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Cuba, Brazil, Ecuador, and Bolivia.

Nutritional Value

Mysore raspberry is rich in manganese. One cup of berries provides about 60% of the daily recommended allowance. Manganese assists in the absorption of calcium and also prevent osteoporosis. It is also a great source of dietary fiber.

100 g of Mysore raspberry contains 28 calories with 0.6 g of fat, 1.3 g of protein, 3.7 g of dietary fiber, and 4.4 g of carbohydrate. The same amount offers 27 mg of Vitamin C, 1.4 mg of Vitamin E, 0.1 g of Vitamin B6, 0.05 mg of Vitamin B2, 0.5 mg of Niacin, and 0.03 g of Vitamin B1.

Health Benefits of Mysore raspberry

Mysore raspberries are loaded with various antioxidants and health benefits. It is rich in polyphenols as well as anthocyanins. Raspberries possess astringent, refrigerant, and hemostatic properties. The fruit of Mysore raspberries helps to treat gout, constipation, obesity, gout and also comforts childbirth. Mysore raspberries are used in Tibetan medicine to treat wind fever. It also helps to lower the chances of cancer and heart disease.

1. Treats lead toxicity

Lead toxicity is a health condition that occurs mainly in children of urban areas. Those who are exposed to the lead have abnormal growth and development. They experience problems in behavior, learning and also have low IQ. It could damage kidneys and raises the pressure of blood in adults. An adequate amount of Vitamin C helps to lower the level of lead. (1)

2. Enhance performance

The intake of Vitamin C helps to promote physical performance and also strengthen muscles. It enhances the intake of oxygen during exercises and also lowers blood pressure. The intake of Vitamin C before a marathon forbids infections on the upper respiratory system. Vitamin C also promotes the function of the airways and lungs. 1000-2000 mg of Vitamin C helps to lower histamine production which results in inflammation in asthmatic patients and also improves the symptoms of asthma. (2)

3. Treats stroke

Vitamin C lowers the chances of stroke which is a kind of cardiovascular ailment. Foods rich in Vitamin C help to maintain the level of blood pressure. It prevents the body from free radicals which is the major cause of stroke.

The study shows that the people with a high intake of Vitamin C, their chances of getting stroke were reduced by 42% in comparison to those with a low intake. The veggies and fruits have a high content of Vitamin C so one should intake more veggies and fruits in a day.

4. Assist weight loss

The evidence supports that a diet rich in fiber helps to prevent obesity. The intake of fiber has an inverse relationship with body fat and weight. Fiber makes feel fuller and prevents overeating and snacking in the next meal. The result shows that a diet rich in fiber reduces the intake of food and results in low weight. Fiber also reduces toxin absorption and modifies gut hormones secretion.

5. Cures diabetes

The soluble fiber slows down digestion and also stabilizes the level of blood sugar. It enhances insulin sensitivity and controls the spike of blood sugar and diabetes. The study shows that dietary fiber and blood glucose has a negative relationship so the high intake of fiber prevents insulin resistance which forms due to increasing level of glucose at a time.

6. Digestive disorders

A diet rich in fiber prevents digestive ailments such as colon cancer, diverticulitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Prebiotic fiber helps to promote immune function and also maintains the health of the colon and intestines by clearing the toxins from the digestive tract. A diet rich in fiber also reduces the chances of heart disease and cancer. The prebiotic fiber protects the gut as well and raises immunity by modifying the way that the body behaves to bacteria and acids.

7. Cholesterol balance

Cholesterol is a substance that occurs naturally which is made by the liver. It is essential for the functioning of nerves, cells, and hormones. The oxidized level of cholesterol is harmful to the body. Cholesterol is in a natural state when they are normal, healthy, and balanced. The studies show that Vitamin E counteracts the oxidation of cholesterol. It eradicates damage caused by free radicals which are the cause of oxidation of cholesterol.

8. Repairs skin damage

Vitamin E strengthens the walls of capillaries in the skin and promotes elasticity and moisture. It acts as an anti-aging nutrient in the body. The studies show that Vitamin E reduces inflammation on the skin and body. The antioxidant properties help to prevent skin cancer when exposed to UV rays of sunlight or cigarette smoke. The intake of Vitamin E along with Vitamin C encounters skin inflammation when exposed to UV rays and also lowers the signs of eczema and acne. Vitamin E speeds up the healing process of the skin. It speeds up the regeneration of cells and treats wrinkles, acne, and scars which helps to make the skin look younger and healthier.

9. Healthy hair

Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant that reduces the environmental damage of hair. It improves the circulation on the scalp. The oil of Vitamin E helps to retain the moisture of the skin and prevents the dry, flakey scalp. Hair will look fresher and healthier with an application of this oil. Few drops of oil could be applied to the hair if it looks dull and dry.

10. Eye health

Vitamin E reduces the chances of macular degeneration which is the major cause of blindness. Vitamin E assists vision health. It should be consumed with Vitamin C, zinc, and beta carotene. The high intake of Vitamin A and Vitamin E promotes healing as well as vision in people who are undergoing laser eye surgery.

How to Eat         

• The fruits are consumed fresh or served with sugar, cream, and ice cream.
• They are also used to make pie, jam, tarts, and jelly.
• Fresh fruits are also frozen for future use.
• Fruits are also used in desserts.
• Berries are damaged and culled berries are placed on freezer bags and frozen for culinary purposes.
• It is also used to make glazes or sauces.

Traditional uses

• The juice extracted from the fruit is used as an antidote for snake bites.
• It is also used as a tonic in ethnoveterinary medicine during pregnancy.
• The tips of the roots are used in India to make small pills that are used to treat extreme bleeding during the menstrual cycle and to cure diarrhea and dysentery.
• The study shows that the extracts of roots acetone possess antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
• It has antioxidant properties and has the ability to treat wounds, skin diseases, and tumors.

References

Show More