Blog107: The Edible Gum: Gond (Tragacanth Gum)

Gond is a crystalline herb, could be easily found in most Indian kitchens until a few decades ago.

The present generation would have heard the name from their grandmothers in the passing, but would not really know much about it. Also known as Tragacanth Gum, it is obtained from the sap of plants also found in India called Gond or Locoweed. It naturally emanates from the root and the stem from where it is collected and dried to form crystals. It has amazing dual properties of cooling the body in the summer and heating it during the winter.

Gond is fortified with protein, calcium and magnesium, so its basically builds both muscle and bone. It also have plenty of amino acids that are essential for healthy skin and hair. Due to its high fibre content, gond helps in CVD (cardio vascular disease), diabetes and digestive problems. It speeds up the healing of wounds, soothes burns, helps in dental problems, improves digestion, reduces bloating, aids in maintaining a healthy body weight and also acts as a blood purifier.

Eating small quantities of gond that has been fried in ghee increases the strength of the body, clear cough, opens up the chest and protects the lungs. When it comes to increasing vitality, ghee and gond are a wonderful combination. Together they nourish the joints and connective tissue, ensuring that you have flexibility and no pain in the joints as you grow older. Gond is recommended by Ayurveda for inflammatory conditions such as rheumatic arthritis. It soothes, nourishes and builds up tissue and gives warmth to the body in the cold month of winter.

During winters, gond ladoos are not only known for their aromatic taste, but are also highly preferred for their unique health benefits. The ladoos, traditionally made with ingredients like jaggery, desi ghee, wheat flour, seeds and nuts like flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, dry dates, almonds, cashew nuts, walnut, pistachios. You can also add some spices like dry ginger powder, cardamom powder and nutmeg powder which adds warmth to the body in the cold months of winter. 

A single gond ladoo will provide enough energy that will last for hours. Since it is usually made with very nutrient dense ingredients like gond, whole wheat flour, ghee and nuts, it is a perfect energy food for kids.

Gond ladoos are given to lactating mothers too as it is said to increase the production of breast milk. Thus, this wonderful natural gum has positive effects on lactating mothers. 

Note: If your intestinal system isn't too strong, you may not be able to digest it. It is essential to drink a lot of water when eating this gond so that it moves through your gastrointestinal tract easily.

Thank You for Reading.!!