Pomegranate zvichayny (Rinіsa granatum); pomegranate; common pomegranate
A small (3-5 m tall) tree or shrub of the Pomegranate family. The branches are angular, often prickly. The leaves are opposite, short-petioled, leathery, entire-edged, elongated-lanceolate. The flowers are regular, single or in bunches, bright red, rarely white or yellowish, 2-3 cm in diameter. Fruits are not true, berry-like, up to 8 (18) cm in diameter. Blooms in May – August. Fruits ripen in September – October.
Distribution . Comes from Transcaucasia, Asia Minor and Central Asia. In Ukraine (in Southern Crimea) it is grown as a fruit and ornamental plant.
Raw. For medicinal purposes, the bark of plants, flowers, as well as the peel and juice of fruits are used; the bark of roots, trunk and branches is also suitable.
Chemical composition . The bark contains alkaloids (peltierine, isopeltierine and others); fruit peel — tannins (up to 28%), ursolic acid (0.6%); fruit juice contains sugars (up to 2%), organic acids (mainly citric and malic), vitamin C and tannins; the flowers contain punicin dye.
Pharmacological properties and use. Pomegranate bark preparations have an anthelmintic effect and are used against tapeworms. Treatment with bark products requires special preparation of the patient (see Dryopteris male) and must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor to eliminate severe poisoning. Overdose of drugs Common pomegranate causes irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, general weakness, dizziness, impaired vision (there are known cases of complete loss of vision), nausea, vomiting, and convulsions. The anthelmintic effect of pomegranate bark products is relatively low, and therefore they are prescribed to those patients for whom dryopteris male preparations are contraindicated. The skin of the fruit serves as a raw material for the production of medical tannin, and its infusion (as well as the infusion of flowers) is used in traditional medicine as an astringent for gastrointestinal disorders. Fresh fruits or their juice is recommended as a tonic after exhausting infectious diseases or operations, during colds, etc. Fruit juice is a reliable anti-scurvy agent, it stimulates the appetite, regulates the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, has diuretic, choleretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Clinical tests show the high efficiency of the juice in the treatment of burns (burnt areas are first moistened with a diluted 10-15% juice, and then sprinkled with powder from the peel of the fruit). anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Clinical tests show the high efficiency of the juice in the treatment of burns (burnt areas are first moistened with a diluted 10-15% juice, and then sprinkled with powder from the peel of the fruit). anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Clinical tests show the high efficiency of the juice in the treatment of burns (burnt areas are first moistened with a diluted 10-15% juice, and then sprinkled with powder from the peel of the fruit).
Medicinal forms and applications.
Internally – for helminthiasis, pour 40-50 g of bark with two glasses of water, infuse for 6 hours, thicken to half, filter, cool and drink the resulting 200 ml of solution within one hour in sips, and after 30 min. after the last portion, take a laxative;
infusion (1 teaspoon of fruit peel or flowers per 1 cup of boiling water, infuse for 2 hours) 1 tablespoon 3 times a day; drink a quarter of a glass of juice 4 times a day for 20 minutes. before eating