Botanical Name: Punica granatum (LINN.)
Family: N.O.
Lythraceae
Synonyms: Grenadier, Cortex granati,
Ecorce de Granade, Granatwurzelrinde, Melogranato,
Malicorio, Scorzo del Melogranati, Cortezade
Granada.
Parts Used: The root, bark, the fruits, the rind of the
fruit, the flowers.
Habitat: Western Asia. Now grows widely in
Mediterranean countries, China, Japan and
Mexico.
History: The Latin name of the tree was Malus punica, or
Punicum Malum, the Lybian or Carthaginian apple; while the name of granatum
was bestowed on account of its many seeds. Having no close relations, the tree
has been placed by various authorities in different orders, some giving it an
order of its own, Granateae.
Description: It is a small tree,
not more than 15 feet high, with pale, brownish bark. The buds and
young shoots are red, the leaves opposite, lanceolate, entire, thick, glossy
and almost evergreen. The flowers are large and solitary, the crimson petals
alternating with the lobes of the calyx. The fruit is the size of an orange,
having a thick, reddish-yellow rind, an acid pulp, and large quantities of
seeds.
The dried root bark is found in quills 3 to 4 inches long. It
is yellowish-gray and wrinkled outside, the inner bark being smooth and
yellow. It has a short fracture, little odor and a slightly astringent taste.
The rind of the fruit is in curved, brittle fragments, rough
and yellowish-brown outside, paler and pitted within. It is called Malicorium.
The fruit is used for dessert, and in the East the juice is included in
cooling drinks. The flowers yield a red dye, and with leaves and seeds were
used by the Ancients as astringent medicines and to remove worms.
The Pomegranate is mentioned in the Papyrus Ebers. It is still
used by the Jews in some ceremonials, and as a design has been used in
architecture and needlework from the earliest times. It formed part of the
decoration of the pillars of King Solomon's Temple, and was embroidered on the
hem of the High-Priest's ephod.
There are three kinds of Pomegranates:
one very sour, the juice of which is used instead of verjuice, or unripe
grape juice; the other two moderately sweet or very sweet. These are (in
Syria) eaten as dessert after being cut open, seeded, strewn with sugar and
sprinkled with rosewater. A wine is extracted from the fruits, and the seeds
are used in syrups and preservatives.
The bark is used in tanning and
dyeing giving the yellow hue to Morocco leather. The barks of three wild
Pomegranates are said to be used in Java:
the red-flowered merah, the
white-flowered poetih, and the black-flowered hitam.
Constituents:
The chief constituent of the bark (about 22 per cent) is called
punicotannic acid. It also contains gallic acid, mannite, and four alkaloids,
Pelletierine, Methyl-Pelletierine, Pseudo-Pelletierine, and IsoPelletierine.
The liquid pelletierine boils at 125 degrees C., and is soluble in
water, alcohol, ether and chloroform. The drug deteriorates with age. The rind
contains tannic acid, sugar and gum. Pelletierine Tannate is a mixture of the
tannates of the alkaloids obtained from the bark of the root and stem, and
represents the taenicidal properties.
Medicinal Action and Uses:
The seeds are demulcent. The fruit is a mild astringent and refrigerant in
some fevers, and especially in biliousness, and the bark is used to remove
tapeworm. In India the rind is used in diarrhea
and chronic dysentery, often combined with opium. It is used as an injection in leukorrhea, as a gargle in
sore throat in its early stages, and in powder for intermittent fevers. The
flowers have similar properties. The root-bark was recommended as a vermifuge
by Celsus, Dioscorides and Pliny. It may be used fresh or dried.
Pomegranate Link Granada in my backyard
Properties in Pomegranate Used by Aztec's
The roots are used to get rid of tapeworm, the rind is used
to fortify the gums and help heal cold sores, the pulp is efficient in
healing tonsillitis, respiratory track afflictions, cases of
diphtheria and sexual weakness.
Aztec Method of Use
For Tapeworm:
Soak 60 grams of root then boil in 1 liter of water, boil until water gets
half way in container, from this mixture, drink half before
bedtime, then drink the rest upon awakening. After 1 hour take a laxative
of sodium sulfate or 45 grams of castor oil. If the tapeworm is not removed
repeat the process the following week.
This treatment must not be taken by pregnant women, lactating mothers
or children under the age of 10.
For mouth sores,
mouth ulcers and cold sores: Boil the rind and gargle 3 times a day.
For Tonsillitis, respiratory afflictions,diphtheria and sexual
weakness: Take 2 to 3 spoonfuls of the juice of Pomegranate mixed with bee
honey.