POMEGRANATE – MIRACLE FRUIT

The pomegranate fruit contains protein, carbohydrate, fat, high source of fiber and good source of sugars. It is also a good source of iron and calcium. It is enriched with minerals like potassium and copper, while traces of magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium are also there. These minerals in pomegranates cause a powerful synergy that prevents and reverses many diseases.

Pomegranate is a rich source of vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid. It also consists of vitamin A, vitamin E, thiamine and riboflavin in small amounts. In addition to these, niacin and folate are present in traces.

Pomegranates have very high content of punicalagins, a potent anti-oxidant component found to be responsible for its superior health benefits.

WHY IS POMEGRANATE GOOD FOR YOU?

The leaves, flower, skin and root of pomegranate have its own curative properties. The fruit when it is taken directly, it gives cooling effect to the abdomen and also does blood purification. It contain considerable amount of oxalic and nicotinic acid. Roots, bark, flowers, fruits and seeds of pomegranate – they all have medicinal properties in them. Roots, stem, bark – astringent, cooling, anthelmintic (especially good against tapeworm). Flowers are styptic and antiemetic. Seeds are diuretic, cardiotonic and anti-emetic.

FIGHTS CANCER: Pomegranate juice has excellent antioxidant properties; three times more antioxidants per 100 ml than does red wine or green tea. Pomegranates has very high levels of antioxidant called "flavonoids" that is thought to be effective in counteracting various cancer-causing radicals. As a result of this high antioxidant content, it helps to fight breast and prostate cancer. Eating pomegranates or drinking pomegranate juice may help prevent and slow the growth of some types of breast cancer. The ellagitannins - a group of phytochemicals found in abundance in pomegranates - inhibit the growth of estrogen -responsive breast cancer. The ellagitannins in pomegranates work by inhibiting aromatase, which is a key enzyme used by the body to make estrogen and plays a key role in breast cancer growth.

BENEFICIAL FOR THE HEART: Pomegranate and its juice is high in antioxidant content, not only helps to prevent hardening of the arteries (build up of plaque in the walls of arteries, known medically as atherosclerosis), but it may also reverse the progression of this disease. These beneficial effects also extend to people with diabetes, who have increased risk for atherosclerosis. It helps to reduce the risk of having a heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. Pomegranate juice daily helps to support normal blood flow to the heart; it keeps bad cholesterol from forming, and thus, may help keep the arteries clear of clots.

Drinking eight ounces of pomegranate juice daily for three months improved the amount of oxygen getting to the heart muscle of patients with coronary heart disease.

NORMALIZE BLOOD PRESSURE: Pomegranate juice has been shown to work well as a blood thinner. As a result, it is an excellent agent for promoting blood flow to the heart. One study showed that drinking 1.7 ounces (50 ml) of pomegranate juice per day lowered systolic blood pressure (the higher number in your blood pressure reading) by as much as 5 percent.

ANEMIA: The pomegranate fruit is effective in the case of anemia. It helps to increase the hemoglobin content in the blood and support healthy blood flow, as it is rich in iron content, thus it helps prevent anemia symptoms that include exhaustion, dizziness, weakness, and hair loss. Pomegranate is to be taken about 200gms in the morning in an empty stomach.

PROTECTS CARTILAGE: Pomegranate fruit extract tends to act as an inhibitor on enzymes responsible for damaging cartilage (tough but flexible tissue that covers the ends of your bones at a joint). Thus it is a must for people suffering from osteoarthritis as it prevent cartilage deterioration. The fruit also contains anti-inflammatory qualities which also help during the treatment of this disease.

HEALTHY TEETH: Drinking pomegranate juice may be a natural way to prevent dental plaque because it possesses antibacterial properties. This helps to decrease the chances of bad breath and gum disease.

EFFECTIVE AGAINST IMPOTENCY: Long-term consumption of pomegranate juice may help combat erectile dysfunction. Pomegranate juice is effective in improving blood flow throughout the body, a benefit of special importance to men who suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED). It does this by stimulating the production of nitric oxide, a chemical which "relaxes" blood vessel cells.

PREVENTS ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: Pomegranate juice may prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's may be caused by the buildup of plaque from deposits associated with brain cell death due to oxidation, called beta-amyloid deposits. Pomegranate juice, which is high in antioxidant polyphenols, may offer protection against the oxidative stress that causes beta-amyloid deposits.

FIGHT COLD AND FLU: The high amount of vitamin C content helps to fight against flu and cold symptoms. It you are down with flu, simply drink 1 to 2 glasses of diluted pomegranate juice.

MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS: Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon with a little honey to a cup of pomegranate juice. It is beneficial for women after monthly loss of blood due to menstruation. It also helps in overcoming the feeling of general malaise during menopause. Pomegranate is believed to help balance the estrogen level in women. Therefore, it is advisable for women to add it to their diet as it can help combat PMS and menopausal problems.

PROTECTS THE NEONATAL BRAIN: Maternal consumption of pomegranate juice may protect the neonatal brain from damage after injury.

DIARRHEA AND DYSENTERY: Seeds are effective remedy for diarrhea and dysentery. One tablespoon powder mixed with buttermilk, consumed two or three times daily. Even the pomegranate juice is proved beneficial in case of diarrhea as it contain astringent properties. The outer skin of the pomegranate is boiled in a cup of water till it become half and taken 2-3 times a day.

COUGH: The pomegranate fruit is used for reducing cough. The flower of the fruit is to be kept in sun and dried, make it as powder and taken with hot water. The flowers of the fruit are taken, crushed; remove the juice from it with a small piece of ginger. Add small quantity of honey in it and taken.

PILES: The pomegranate fruit is effective in case of piles. The fruit should be consumed every morning in an empty stomach by adding a pinch of salt. This is taken for about three months regularly. It can also be taken with honey. Take a teaspoon of the powder of the dry rind of pomegranate with buttermilk to arrest the bleeding piles.

INTESTINAL WORMS: The bark of the fruit is to be dried in sun and make it powered. Take 2 tea spoonful of powder and boiled in a form of kashayam. This is taken in an empty stomach for about a week. This is very effective in case of intestinal worms.

HYPER ACIDITY: The pomegranate fruit is effective in case of hyper acidity as it is rich form of alkali. So it helps to neutralize the acid. It is to be taken daily in an empty stomach for about a month.

DIGESTION: The pomegranate fruit plays a vital role in secretion of enzymes. So this fruit improves the function of digestion. Mix the juice of pomegranate with a teaspoon of honey and drink to cure conditions of indigestion especially when accompanied by giddiness.

IN TAPEWORM INFECTION: Make a decoction of the stem bark of pomegranate and drink. Punicine, the alkaloid in the stem bark is very effective against tapeworm.

TO INCREASE MEMORY: Dry the flower buds of pomegranate and powder them. Roll the powder into small pills and take a pill thrice a day to enhance memory power.

CONSTIPATION: The pomegranate fruit is considered to be a laxative and used in case of constipation. Fruit should be taken about 100-200 gms in morning and evening. It helps to increase peristaltic movements of the intestines and there by helps to relieve the constipation.

SKIN AND ANTI-AGING: Pomegranate not only helps you stay healthy from the inside, it helps you appear healthy from the outside. Pomegranate has shown to reduce skin inflammation, and give your skin better resiliency and glow.

ASTHMA: The high content of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in this fruit is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. It can greatly reduce wheezing in young children with asthma.

LOSS OF APPETITE: If you can't eat, at least you can drink! Pomegranate juice can help increase your appetite.

MORNING SICKNESS / NAUSEA: Mix and drink an equal amount of honey with pomegranate juice for relief. 

SORE THROAT: The anti-inflammatory agent in pomegranate juice significantly reduces the soreness and redness in the throat.

CONSUMPTION TIPS: When buying pomegranates, choose those that are heavy and without splits on its skin. 

CAUTION: If you are on any medication, consult with your doctor before you start consuming pomegranate juice regularly. There is some possibility that the juice may affect the effect of some prescribed medications.

Though not proven, there is also concern that when it is consumed together with other blood pressure medication, it may cause the pressure to drop too low.