MEDICINAL PLANTS

The pomegranate is a fruit tree belonging to the family of punicáceas, which can reach 5 meters in height. It has very flexible branches, armed with spines. The leaves are lanceolate, wavy, shiny and slightly reddish. The flowers are born at a time, scattered over all the tree tops and are of unique beauty. As for the fruit you can say that there is no other like it in the plant kingdom, is known by the name of pomegranate and berry is a thick globose, leathery, crowned by the calyx petals residues, and contains a large number of prismatic seeds garnet red, fleshy, with a pleasant taste something sour. As a fruit tree grows in the gardens of most of the peninsula, but can also be found growing wild.

FLOWERING

The pomegranate flowers in June and earlier in the southernmost provinces and the fruits ripen in September and October. Collection of what matters most for medicinal purposes is the root bark; to pick the roots are pulled out to start the fall and taking away the bark, is cut to pieces and dried and stored. Regarding the collection of the fruit should be ripe, so it is usually expected in late summer. In some cases collect the bark of the trunk and old branches, but are less effective.

APPLICATIONS

The pomegranate contains several alkaloids, located mainly in the root cortex. Furthermore it is also particularly rich in minerals and tannins. The kernels of the fruit, besides water, are sugars, citric acid and large amounts of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). It is an excellent anthelmintic, especially against tapeworm, which paralyzes or kills, depending on dose. The bark is astringent and antidiarrheal fruits and fruit itself act as refreshing, antipyretics and estrogen. It should be noted however that we must be careful with the root bark, as the alkaloids it contains can cause toxic effects if given in inadequate doses. It is therefore important that its use is done under medical supervision. Finally, we comment that this tree also has application in the chemical industry, because the bark is used for the manufacture of inks.

ADMINISTRATION

Decoction. From the root bark or trunk. 60 g were macerated of the cortex in 1 / 2 l. Water for one day, then boil until liquid is reduced by half and take the rest of fasting, every 20 minutes. To complete treatment is given a purgative, thereby eliminating the intestinal worms.
Infusion for rinse. To strengthen the gums make an infusion with 1 / 2 l. Of water and 25 g. Flowers. The mouth is rinsed several times a day.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Punicaceas
HABITAT: Gardens Valencia to Andalusia
FLOWERING: June
PART USED: The root bark and fruit
CATALAN: Magraner
BASQUE: Mingrana
GALICIAN: Miligrandeira

USES

Antidiarrheal Strong, Anthelmintics Moderate, Antipyretic Moderate.