When summer heat becomes unbearable, people turn to natural remedies to cool their bodies. One such traditional remedy is Gond Katira, also known as Tragacanth gum. This natural coolant is used in drinks, desserts, and home remedies to beat the heat. But have you ever wondered how this jelly-like wonder is obtained? Let’s understand.
What Is Gond Katira?
Gond Katira is a natural gum that comes from the sap of certain plants, mainly from the Astragalus species. These plants are mostly found in the Middle East, Iran, and some parts of India. The gum is rich in cooling properties and is known for its jelly-like texture when soaked in water.
How Is It Collected?
The process of getting Gond Katira is simple but time-consuming:
Natural exudation: The gum oozes out naturally from the bark of the plant when it is wounded. No artificial cuts or tools are needed.
Sun-drying: Once the gum dries on the plant, it hardens and turns into crystal-like flakes. These flakes are collected by hand.
Cleaning & sorting: After collection, the gum is cleaned to remove any dirt or plant material. It is then sorted based on color and quality.
Key benefits of Gond Katira
Natural body coolant: It helps regulate body temperature and keeps you cool during extreme heat.
Improves digestion: It soothes the stomach and can relieve constipation due to its laxative properties.
Boosts skin health: Regular use is said to improve skin texture and fight dryness from within.
From plant to plate
In its raw form, Gond Katira is hard and yellowish. But when soaked in water overnight, it swells up and turns into a transparent jelly. This jelly is then added to drinks like sharbat, falooda, and even lemon water to keep the body cool during hot days.
