Ask the monks how to make jackfruit dyes!

What is JACKFRUIT? Identification name: Artocarpus heterophyllus L. Family: Mulberry Habitat: native to Southwestern India. Medicinal parts: fruit, seed, leaf, root, latex, bark Key chemical constituents: the seed contains proteins, dietary fiber, potassium, calcium, manganese, magnesium, carbohydrates, vitamin A. Specifically, jacalin is a lectin; Properties and uses: jackfruit is antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-diabetic. The seed and fruit are used as food. The leaf and root are used orally as medicines. The latex and bark are used topically as medicines. Curiosity: traditionally the seed is a tonic used to promote general health and increase energy. Specifically, for low immunity, low energy, chronic fatigue, chronic illness, old age. The root is used to treat diarrhea, anemia, asthma, cough. The wood of the tree is used to make furniture and musical instruments. Caution: jackfruit fruit can cause rare allergic reactions like dyspnea, facial swelling, hives, or anaphylaxis. The sap from jackfruit bark contains chemicals that can elevate the risk of bleeding. Jackfruit extract can add to the effects of antidiabetes drugs, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. Jackfruit seeds can add to the effects of central nervous system depressants causing more sedation.

In some Thailand monasteries, the monks never wash their robes. They dye them instead! Why? Once a week, the monks boil their robes in jackfruit dye, and let them dry in the sun. This way their robes never smell body odor. But also, the skin in contact with the robes would benefit from the jackfruit dye which they believe can prevent fungal infections, skin disorders.

​References Natural Medicines 2019. Stewart, Amy. The Drunken Botanist the Plants That Create the World's Great Drinks. 1st ed., Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2013. Salguero, C. Pierce. A Thai Herbal Traditional Recipes For Health And Harmony. Findhorn Press, 2003.