Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:53:50
By Patricia Khashayar, MD., Press TV, Tehran
Pomegranate, the seeded apple rich in antioxidants, improves heart health, protects against prostate cancer and slows cartilage loss.
Botanical: Punica granatum (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Lythraceae
Synonym: Grenadier. Cortex granati. Ecorce de Granade. Granatwurzelrinde. Melogranato. Malicorio. Scorzo del Melogranati. Cortezade Granada
Habitat:
The pomegranate is native to Iran and the Himalayas; it has grown wild in the whole Mediterranean region and the Middle East since ancient times.
Description:
Pomegranate is a small five-meter high tree with light brown bark and red buds. The leaves are small, opposite and almost evergreen.
Pomegranate flowers are orange-red, scarlet, white or variegated. Its fruit is crowned with a calyx and contains numerous seeds in juicy sacs.
Part Used Medicinally:
The root, bark, fruit, the rind of the fruit, and flowers.
Constituents:
Pomegranate juice is a good source of vitamin B and C, pantothenic acid, potassium and antioxidant polyphenols.
Punicotannic acid is the chief constituent of the bark which also contains gallic acid, mannite, Pelletierine, Methyl-Pelletierine, Pseudo-Pelletierine, and IsoPelletierine.
Medicinal Uses:
Sour pomegranate is good for the liver and stomach and helps relieve itching.
Sweet pomegranate juice has tonic and diuretic effects. It helps treat jaundice, coughs, hoarseness and increases weight.
Pomegranate is a promising antioxidant, good for reducing several heart risk factors, including LDL (bad cholesterol) oxidation and arteriosclerosis (thickening of the arteries) as well as malignant prostate disease.
The seeds are demulcent.
Pomegranate bark is considered to be an anthelmintic in other words a substance that destroys and expels intestinal worms.
It is also an astringent that has been used to ease chronic diarrhea and dysentery. Combined with opium, the rind is used in diarrhea and chronic dysentery.
It is used as an injection in leucorrhoea. Consuming the powdered bark is good for intermittent fevers. The flowers have similar properties.
As the fruit peel contains about thirty percent tannin, an active astringent substance it is used to control chronic diarrhea and alleviate amoebic dysentery
Pomegranate juice, mainly used as a health drink, is good for prostate cancer or prostatic hyperplasia, diabetes, arthritis and lymphoma. It also has antiviral and antibacterial effects against dental plaque.
Pomegranate possesses antiviral and antiseptic properties, which have been helpful when applied to incisions. When used externally, it is said to be beneficial in cases of skin problems.
Pomegranate's antibacterial effects help treat mouth sores, throat infections and mouth irritations; pomegranate extract significantly improves the clinical signs of chronic periodontitis.
Pomegranate extract has skin-whitening properties; it can suppress UV-induced skin pigmentation when applied topically or administered orally.
Pomegranate is good for weight loss programs because it inhibits fat absorption.
Pomegranate reduces systolic blood pressure.
Preparation:
The infusion of pomegranate flowers or leaves is good for treating diarrhea, nausea, fatigue and migraine.
Consumption of 3.5 grams of pomegranate bark in a glass of water followed by a laxative helps extract worms.
The decoction of pomegranate bark, flower, leaves or stem is constive.
Caution:
A hypodermic injection of pomegranate alkaloids may produce vertigo, muscular weakness and sometimes double vision.
Sour pomegranates should not be used by pregnant and nursing women. It should not be taken in the presence of diarrhea.
Overuse may cause cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.
When treating parasite infection pomegranate fruit should not be taken with oil or fats.
