The pomegranate is a shrub or tree of the pomegranate family up to 6 m high. The flowers are double bell and red orange, reach 4 cm in diameter. The fruits are large, spherical, within 9-12 membranes are divided, forming nests. In each nest there are two rows of grains in which the seeds are wrapped in juicy pulp - pulp. The flesh is sweet and bitter, of a dark ruby color, sometimes lighter. The diameter of the fruit can vary from 8 to 18 cm and the color of the skin, from orange yellow to dark red.
Inside the fruit in large quantities contain small seeds, surrounded by juicy bright red pulp. A ripe pomegranate can contain more than a thousand seeds; For this reason, in ancient times, this fruit was considered a symbol of fertility, as well as a remedy for infertility. The ripe fruit is firm to the touch, and its peel must be dry and uniform in color.
The taste of ripe fruit - sweet (due to the presence of monosaccharides) and sour (tannins) Granada of the fatherland - North Africa, Central Asia. It is grown in all subtropical countries as a very valuable plant. Grown in the Crimea, Iran, the Mediterranean, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Central Asia. In nature, the pomegranate is found in the Caucasus and Central Asia, where it grows on rocky slopes, in marshes, in pine and oak weeds. Of the pomegranate flowers that contain a large amount of bright red pigment anthocyanin punicin, they produce dyes that dye fabrics of silk, cotton, linen and wool.
When choosing a pomegranate, pay attention to the rind, a ripe fruit should have a slightly dry rind and a little grain. If the bark is smooth, the pomegranate is not ripe. In addition to the shell, pay attention to the "ass" pomegranate, a place where the flower grew: there should be no green. It must be firm to the touch. If it is soft, then it was hit on the road, rotten or frozen. Grenade of calories The caloric content of the pomegranate is 83 kcal per 100 g, it is rich in carbohydrates and is a very nutritious fruit. The pomegranate juice contains 64 kcal. With moderate use, the product does not cause obesity.
Pomegranate fruits contain vitamins C, B6, B12, P, fiber, minerals and trace elements: calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, phosphorus, iodine, iron, sodium. Pomegranate juice contains 8 to 20% sugar (glucose and fructose), up to 10% citric acid, apple, tartaric, oxalic, boric, succinic and other organic acids, phytonutrides, nitrous and tannin, ash, tannin, sulfuric acid, chloride and other salts.
Pomegranates quench thirst well, stimulate appetite, promote the formation of red blood cells and produce hemoglobin, they are an excellent nutrient stimulant. Children often use grenades are ingenious and full of strength. The pomegranate perfectly strengthens the immune system, the walls of the blood vessels, the nervous system and improves the formation of blood. It is also recommended for elderly people and people who have had surgery.
The infusion of flowers and pomegranate fruits is one of the best proven ancient hemostatic agents. Pomegranate juice is a red blood forming agent, it is recommended for diseases of the circulatory organs, heart, liver, kidneys, lungs and contributes to the normalization of blood pressure. According to recent studies, the estrogens contained in pomegranate can alleviate the symptoms of menopause in women and combat depression.
Pomegranate juice contains 15 amino acids, almost half of which can be contained only in meat products. Therefore, the pomegranate is simply an indispensable product for vegetarians who must replace animal proteins with vegetable proteins. In addition, amino acids are a vital component of our body. After ingestion, the amino acids are absorbed into the blood. From the amino acids, the cells of our body synthesize the protein, the basis of human life.
The protein is an indispensable building material (blood cells, skin, mucous membrane, intestines), participates in the hormonal processes, metabolism, protection and reactions of the receptors, creating new young and healthy cells. The natural amino acids trapped in our body, are actively fighting at the cellular level with pathological cells reborn; Suppresses and regulates the negative processes that occur in the body.
The use of pomegranate juice protects against cancer. It is especially recommended for drinking in people who have been irradiated, people who work with radioactive isotopes or who live in an area of higher radiation. Pomegranate juice is an excellent remedy for scurvy, atherosclerosis, the diathesis of uric acid, headaches and gastrointestinal disorders, diarrhea. With hypertension, regular consumption of pomegranate fruit gradually reduces blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Pomegranate juice is good for colds: respiratory infections, sore throat, cough, fight against high fever, is an anti-inflammatory agent. The diluted juice is advised to gargle with sore throat.
It is also recommended for diseases of bronchial asthma, anemia and malaria. For very young children, the juice is diluted 1/1 with water and administered in 1 teaspoon for a couple of days, while observing if there is an allergy. Then, a break of a week and a couple of days more for 2 teaspoons ... It is not recommended to give babies pomegranate juice for a year, since it contains many organic acids, which can cause stomach irritation. And people with greater secretion of gastric juice, gastritis and ulcer, can drink juice alone diluted with water. Pomegranate juice is useful in diabetes, taking 60 drops of juice 4 times a day before meals will significantly reduce blood sugar levels.
You can be sure to pass the tests, after 3 days of drinking juice. The bitter-tasting pomegranate bark is considered a good means of repairing the stomach in case of disorders: 5 g of pomegranate bark is poured over 0.5 cups of boiling water, infused for 20 minutes and filtered. Take 0.5-1 teaspoon 3-4 times a day. Broth shells and pomegranate flowers are widely used as an anti-inflammatory agent for gargling. The peel contains the alkaloids peltierin, isopeltierin and methyl isosselterin, have a strong anthelmintic effect. To get rid of worms, insist on 40-50 g of crushed pomegranate bark in 400 g of cold water for 6 hours and then simmer until half of the liquid has evaporated.
Strain the cooled broth and drink for an hour in small portions. One hour later, take a laxative and, after 4-5 hours, prepare an enema. A decoction of pomegranate peel can be used for inflammation of the kidneys, liver, joints, ears and eyes.
Dried, ground in powdered peel, fried with cream or olive oil is used in cosmetology for oily skin, acne or purulent rash. In addition to treating burns, cracks and scratches. The white lintels that separate the pomegranate seeds are dried and added to the teas. They help to balance the nervous system, relieve anxiety, excitement, relieve insomnia.
The juice of pomegranate seeds has a choleretic and diuretic effect, so it is useful in diseases of the kidneys and liver; It is also a good analgesic and anti-inflammatory. The bones are an excellent stimulant for the "lazy" intestines and the source of the most valuable pomegranate oil. It protects against cancer and rejuvenates because it is rich in fat-soluble vitamins F and E. In Caucasian cooking, the condensed (boiled) pomegranate juice is popular, serving as a condiment for various dishes. The dishes of vegetables and meats acquire a unique flavor due to the pomegranate juice.
In medicine, seeds of shell, flowers, bark and pomegranate are used, which are used to make various medicines, tinctures and decoctions to treat anemia, diarrhea, stomatitis, conjunctivitis, burns and other diseases.
Pomegranate juice is strictly contraindicated in gastric ulcer and in gastritis with an increase in the acidity of the gastric juice. You can only drink diluted with water, as it contains many acids, which causes irritation of the stomach. It is not recommended for children under 1 year old. The juice can also erode tooth enamel, so it is recommended to brush your teeth after drinking it or drinking juice diluted with water. In addition, it has a property of fixation, so it is contraindicated for those who have problems with the digestive system (constipation), the presence of hemorrhoids and cracks in the anus.
Constipation that occurs after taking a pomegranate contributes to bleeding after an act of defecation. Pomegranate peel contains up to 0.5% of very poisonous alkaloids. Be careful also with the decoctions of pomegranate. It contains toxic substances that, in case of overdose, considerably increase blood pressure, cause dizziness, weakness, blurred vision, seizures, irritation of the gastric mucosa. At the first signs of poisoning, you should call a doctor.