pomegranate

Of the pomegranate is primarily known as a classic fruit. Parts of it can also be used for medical purposes.

Occurrence & cultivation of the pomegranate

The pomegranate (Punica granatum), also called grenadine, belongs to the loosestrife family (Lythraceae). The pomegranate is a small tree that can sometimes be just a shrub. Of the pomegranate (Punica granatum), also Grenadine called, belongs to the loosestrife family (Lythraceae). The pomegranate is a small tree that can sometimes be just a shrub. Its maximum height is 5 meters. The characteristics of the pomegranate tree include its gray to red-brown bark. The leaves, which can be up to 10 centimeters long, are shiny and have a leathery consistency.

In spring and summer, yellow or red flowers that resemble a bell flourish on the branches of the tree. From September to February the flowers develop into fruits. These are the red, round pomegranates that are roughly the size of a human fist. However, there are significant differences in size. A typical feature of the pomegranate is the small crown that sits on the round fruit. The inside of the apple is filled with many seeds. These are surrounded by the shell and the red, edible pulp. When the fruits are ripe, they can be picked from the tree.

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The pomegranate is native to West and Central Asia. Its distribution area extends from Turkey through the Caucasus and southern Russia to Afghanistan and China. It is also grown in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. The growing areas include Israel, Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Spain and Armenia. Other growing regions are India and Indonesia.

Effect & application

The pomegranate contains numerous valuable ingredients. The fruit can also be used for therapeutic purposes. The numerous polyphenols such as flavonoids and anthocyanins are beneficial substances. These natural dyes can have a healing effect. Also important are the phytohormones such as plant estrogens, which are able to compensate for an estrogen deficiency.

On the other hand, the pomegranate also contains plant hormones that counteract an excess of estrogen. The pomegranate can be helpful for the treatment of breast cancer or prostate cancer and support conventional medical therapy. The phytohormones also activate the metabolism, which means that the organism regenerates better. The skin also benefits as it looks younger. Of

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The pomegranates also contain important vitamins and minerals. The pomegranate can be used both internally and externally. The most important medicinal ingredients are the fruit and the juice. To develop the therapeutic effect, the pulp of the pomegranate is simply eaten. Another option is to drink the juice. Under the name Grenadine, it is also specially offered in stores. However, fresh pomegranate juice is considered to be more effective than bottled juice.

For fresh serving, the juicy seed coats are placed in a sieve and squeezed out. This leaves the seeds as well as the seed coat skin. As part of a cancer treatment, there is also a special fermented pomegranate juice, which is usually called "pomegranate elixir". The positive effect of this elixir has been confirmed in scientific studies. Another form of administration of the pomegranate are capsules that the user simply swallows. The seeds can also be used internally. They are simply eaten along with this.

The seeds of the pomegranate can also be processed into an oil and used externally. To do this, the seeds are first cleaned and dried. Then they are crushed in a blender. The resulting puree is then placed in a screw-top jar and doused with almond oil or jojoba oil. After the mixture has stood in a light place for two weeks, the oil can be used for skin care after straining. It can also be used to make ointments or creams.

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Importance for health, treatment & prevention

The pomegranate can be used therapeutically for various purposes. Since the pomegranate juice contains numerous antioxidants, it is considered to be well suited for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases such as hardening of the arteries, a heart attack or a stroke. It is also supposed to prevent degenerative diseases of old age.

Another area of ​​application is the treatment of cancer. According to medical studies, the ingredients of the fruit have cancer-inhibiting effects. This is especially true for cancers such as leukemia (blood cancer), prostate cancer, and breast cancer. However, the positive effect of the fruit is rather slight, so that it is more suitable for support. In this way, for example, the side effects of chemotherapy can be reduced. Since the ingredients of the pomegranate have a positive effect on the female endocrine system, they are suitable for the treatment of menopausal symptoms.

Other possible areas of application are infertility and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The pomegranate is also considered an effective anti-aging agent. In this way, it promotes blood circulation and regenerates the tissue, making the body look younger. The fruit is also suitable for treating age-related complaints such as joint problems, high cholesterol, obesity and skin problems.

Other areas of application of the pomegranate are the protection of the liver, the treatment of side effects of diabetes, diarrhea, stomach problems, eye diseases and oral hygiene. While neither pomegranate juice nor pomegranate extract have any side effects, care should be taken with the pomegranate root bark. Their high content of tannic acid and alkaloids can lead to health problems such as diarrhea and vomiting. While in earlier times the pomegranate root bark was used to treat tapeworms, it is not used today.

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