POMEGRANATE

Many people will probably be surprised to learn that the pomegranate, the fruits of which are in great demand, was considered a typical houseplant in a number of countries in the last century.

Keep the pomegranate seeds for a month in the refrigerator (not in the dark (not in the freezer, of course), mixing them with damp sand or moss, and then sow them. After two weeks, friendly shoots should appear.

Pomegranate - general information

Pomegranate- the most widely distributed subtropical fruit plant in cultivation. Pomegranate fruits, characterized by a wide variety of tastes and other beneficial properties, are consumed fresh and processed. The main food component is juice. Its content in normally developed fruits is 65...75%. But due to its taste and health benefits, it is one of the best fruit and berry juices. It contains up to 1.5% protein (protein), 14...20% Sugars, about 3% fat and 3...4% acids, including citric acid up to 2.4%, and a large group of vitamins. The color of the juice varies from light pink to dark ruby. Depending on the taste of the juice (which will increase depending on the acid content in it), pomegranate varieties are grouped into three groups: sweet, sweet-sour and sour. Fresh juice is especially useful in the heat, after heavy physical exertion. It is also used in the production of ice cream and soft drinks. In the Caucasus, pomegranate juice mixed with grape juice is boiled to the consistency of marshmallow; in Central Asia it is used to add a spicy taste to pilaf.

Fruit grenade widely used in folk medicine for scurvy and some chronic stomach diseases. They are also used by official medicine. Pomegranate juice helps reduce fever during fever, quenches thirst, improves digestion and stimulates appetite.

In addition to juice, flower petals, peel and seeds of pomegranate are widely used in the national economy. Persistent natural bright red and purple dyes are prepared from the petals, which are significantly superior to synthetic ones. The seeds contain up to 20% starch and more than 20% fat, so they can be used to produce flour and vegetable oil. The peel is widely used in dyeing and tanning industries due to its high content of tannins and tannins. The leaves and fresh root bark contain the alkaloid pelletierine, which has medicinal uses.

Small fruits of cultivated varieties, as well as wild pomegranate fruits, are used to produce citric acid. In Azerbaijan, industrial production of citric acid has been created based on the processing of wild pomegranate fruits.

Due to their abundant and long-lasting flowering, pomegranate plants are used in landscape and ornamental gardening. In bush or standard form, they combine well with other plants to create original compositions in public gardens and parks. Pomegranates retain their high decorative value until late autumn due to the brightly colored fruits and yellowed leaves after picking the fruits. These plants are of great value when creating soil-stabilizing plantings on shifting sands, steep mountain slopes and ravines, restraining erosion processes.

Pomegranate - brief botanical characteristics and origin

Pomegranate belongs to the family Punicaceac, genus Pynical, which includes only two species: P. granatuml and P. protopunica Ralf.

Pomegranate- deciduous plant; a small tree or shrub with an outstretched crown. Annual shortened shoots end in a sharp thorn. The leaves are opposite or collected in bunches, narrow, oblong-lanceolate.

The flowers are large, solitary or in bunches, bisexual. Each plant has two types of flowers: one of them is large, pitcher-shaped, and has a normally developed pistil, ovary and stamens. Others are smaller, bell-shaped, with an underdeveloped ovary and a short pistil with normally developed stamens, in which full-fledged viable pollen is formed.

The origin of the cultivated pomegranate is undoubtedly from one species - P. granatum. Fruits of wild species differ from cultivated ones only in the size of the fruit; they are much smaller. The habitat of wild pomegranate is extensive: it covers the modern territories of Turkey, Afghanistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, eastern Georgia and the Central Asian republics. It was in these areas that wild forms were introduced into culture through domestication based on selection aimed at selecting individuals with a large size of the succulent layer (juice sacs) of the seed.

In the surviving earliest written sources of ancient authors - Homer, Herodotus, Theophrastus - there are references to pomegranate as a fruit crop. On the territory of our country in the Etchmiadzin region of the Armenian SSR, the capitals of the colony of an ancient temple, built around the 7th century. BC e., decorated with ornaments of pomegranate leaves and fruits. The earliest mention of pomegranate as a cultivated plant dates back to the 13th-12th centuries. BC e. in the territory of modern Egypt. The generic name of the pomegranate Punica (Punica) is probably associated with the name of the Punic people who lived in Carthage, a Phoenician colony of Egypt (modern Tunisia), that is, around the 9th century. BC V. P. M. Zhukovsky suggests that the penetration of pomegranate culture into the Mediterranean countries came from Carthage. During excavations of the Khorezm castle Toprak-Kala, built around the 4th century. BC BC, images of the fertility goddess Anahita with a pomegranate fruit in her hand were found in surviving wall paintings.

The first pomegranate plants were brought to Crimea by Greek colonists, but the development of an open culture here is possible only in a small area of ​​the Southern Coast. However, the pomegranate culture has attracted the attention of scientists and gardeners of Crimea since the founding of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden (1812). To date, one of the largest collections of pomegranate varieties has been collected on the southern coast of Crimea - in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden. The best varieties have been identified for cultivation in the dry subtropical zone of our country, including the subtropics of Crimea.

Many people in our country love pomegranate. This is one of the ancient fruits that people ate. Due to its unique taste, pomegranate is used to prepare sauces and marinades for meat dishes. Bright grains are often used to prepare and decorate desserts. Pomegranate juice, which has long been used for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, is also valued.

Historical homeland of the plant

This plant has been known to people since ancient times. In ancient Rome, the fruit was called a granular apple. This plant was also loved in Egypt. Indeed, in the vicinity of Carthage there were many gardens with these fruits. Therefore, pomegranate is often called the Carthaginian apple.

The first seedlings were brought to Carthage by the Phoenicians in 825 BC. They sailed from the eastern side of the Mediterranean Sea, because there was active trade in this place. Soon the Romans came to these lands and destroyed everything, leaving only pomegranate gardens.

For a long time, the fruits of these trees were considered the main ones on the royal table. After all, their peel resembled a crown.

Where does pomegranate grow? These trees thrive in subtropical and tropical climates with prevailing droughts. Today this tree grows all over the world. It was brought to the USA and Mexico, and is common in Europe and Asia. You can even see how pomegranates grow in Russia.

Description of the variety

Many people ask whether pomegranate is a fruit or a berry. After all, the fruits of this plant are very similar in shape to an orange or an apple, but inside they have up to 1000 seeds located under a dense peel. According to biological classification, the fruits of this plant are considered berries.

The pomegranate tree reaches 6 m in height. But there are also dwarf varieties in the form of shrubs. The tree trunk is small with thorny and thin branches. The bark of the tree has a light brown tint. How do pomegranates grow? The plant blooms from May to August with large and beautiful flowers. The flower is bell-shaped. Its shades can be different: yellow, white, red-orange.

The fruits are spherical, 12 cm in diameter. Each of them can reach 0.5 kg. Many people are unsure of their judgment and ask the question: “Is a pomegranate a fruit or a berry?” Experts classify the fruits of this plant as berries. Their dense peel can have different shades: brown, yellow-red. The seeds are hidden under the skin in a sweet and sour red shell. They contain many useful vitamins and microelements, acids and monosaccharides, tannins. In one season, about 60 kg of crop can be harvested from one tree.

So where does pomegranate grow? Today this plant is more common in Italy, Greece, the Middle East, the Caucasus and Crimea. This plant is rarely found in wild form.

Growing conditions

Under what conditions and how do pomegranates grow? The plant requires a lot of light, so ideal conditions for growth are regions with a prevailing hot climate. After all, if there are few sunny days in a year, the pomegranate may not bloom.

To obtain large, juicy and tasty fruits, hot weather is required throughout the summer. In winter, pomegranate leaves fall off. The tree tolerates frosts down to -12 o C.

Fruits from a pomegranate tree can be obtained on average for 60 years. But there are also exceptions. For example, pomegranates grow in Azerbaijan, which have been bearing fruit for 100 years, and in France - 200 years.

Types and varieties of pomegranate

Many people want such a fruit tree to grow in their garden or in their home. But how to grow pomegranate? First of all, you should understand the variety of varieties of this plant.

According to the classification of plants, pomegranate belongs to the Derbennikov family. At the moment, there are only 2 types of these plants: ordinary and Socotran pomegranate.

Socotra pomegranate grows in only one place - on the island of Socotra. This variety grows on its own; it is not specially planted. After all, it is not characterized by such a pleasant taste as an ordinary pomegranate.

As for the ordinary pomegranate, it is distributed throughout the world. It is found not only in cultivated form, but also in the wild.

Today there are many varieties of pomegranate. Each of them has a specific taste and size of the fruit. Today we will look at varieties that grow in regions close to our state.

Many people ask whether pomegranate grows in Crimea. Yes, the Crimean striped pomegranate variety was created in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden. This is a tree of small height with fruits up to 300 g. The peel of the fruit is thick, the grains are sweet and sour with a dark cherry hue.

• The Gyulosha red and pink variety grows in Azerbaijan. The peel of the fruit is thin, red and pink. The grains are juicier and larger than the previous variety, but more acidic.
• Bala-mursal grows in Azerbaijan. This tree is small in size, up to 3 meters in height. The weight of 1 fruit reaches 500 g. This variety is characterized by high yield. From one bush you can collect 50 kg of sweet and sour fruits per season.
• The Nikitinsky early variety is a small shrub with large fruits. The fruits are juicy, large, sweet with a slight sourness.
• The dwarf pomegranate is an ornamental plant, but its fruits are edible. The weight of one pomegranate does not exceed 100 g, but the taste of the fruit is the same as an ordinary one. The fruits differ from ordinary varieties only in size. The height of the bush reaches 1 m. This variety is suitable for growing at home. This plant blooms already in the first year of life with a tree height of only 25 cm.
• Achik-dona grows in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Many people love the large and sweet grains of these pomegranates. The productivity of this variety is high. You can collect 40 kg of fruit from one tree.

Pomegranate at the dacha

Don’t know how to grow pomegranate in your garden? First of all, you should determine the region of your residence. After all, this information will be useful for people who live in the southern regions of Russia, in Crimea. To get a good harvest, you should choose a large sunny plot of land.

In the first year of life after planting, it is necessary to take good care of the plant. You should definitely feed him. Experts recommend using Kristalon. This drug promotes the development and flowering of the plant. Fertilize the plant using a foliar method.

All weeds should be removed regularly.

In mid-autumn it is necessary to cover the pomegranate. All branches are tilted and tied to stakes. Then sprinkle with earth. This procedure is repeated every year.

Planting a pomegranate

Planting a seedling is simple. Dig a hole 60 x 60 x 60 cm. Throw several shovels of the top fertile layer of soil onto the bottom. Afterwards, the seedling is carefully placed in the hole and covered with earth. Water generously.

Pay attention to the soil. If it is clayey and too oily, it should be diluted with sand. But if, on the contrary, sand predominates, then fertile soil should be placed in the planting hole.

Please note that it is strictly forbidden to add additional fertilizers (humus, manure) to the planting hole. This can destroy the young plant.

The seedling must be lowered into the hole so that it is 10 cm deeper from the planting level in the nursery. This method of planting has a beneficial effect on the formation of a more powerful root system. This means that the plant will take root faster and better.

When planting, the soil must be thoroughly filled with water and the planting site compacted. This will prevent voids from forming in the soil. After a day, abundant watering should be repeated. Afterwards, the ground is covered with old sawdust or leaves, which will allow moisture to be retained in the ground longer.

In the future, the tree is watered once a week.

Features of growing at home

The dwarf pomegranate tree is an ideal option for planting at home. The plant often blooms in the first year after planting. Bright flowers on a small tree will delight your eye. And in a year you will be able to enjoy the first sweet and sour fruits.

For active growth of the plant, you should prepare a spacious, wide pot or cache-pot. Remember that it is in the upper part of the soil that pomegranate roots develop. Before planting, drainage must be laid at the bottom of the container. It can be expanded clay or crushed stone. The soil is mixed with sand and part of the mixture is poured onto the bottom. Place the seedling and carefully straighten the roots. Now fill the entire container with soil. After planting, the plant should be watered well. In the future, you can water the plant once a week.

A suitable seedling can be purchased at a nursery. If there is no such place in your region, the desired tree can be ordered online. So, in the near future you will be able to receive germinated pomegranate seedlings by mail.

You can also grow a pomegranate seedling yourself. Remember that the berry must be ripe. This can be determined by the peel. In ripe fruits it is dried out, as if it covers the grains.

You can plant grains either in pulp or without it. The seeds are placed in the soil to a depth of 2 cm. The soil is watered abundantly. Afterwards the pot is covered with film. After just 2 weeks, the first shoots may appear. At this time, you can remove the film.

The pomegranate tree should be watered regularly. The ambient temperature should be within 25 o C. By fulfilling all the above requirements, you will enjoy a beautiful small indoor tree. Over time, beautiful, large flowers will appear on it, and then tasty and juicy fruits.

Reproduction

How do pomegranates grow? How do they reproduce? You can obtain seedlings using cuttings or from seeds.

Growing a good tree from seeds is a long and troublesome task. It is easier to use ready-made seedlings obtained by cuttings.

The plant must be planted in a place where there is no shade. It is advisable to water the tree regularly - once a week is enough.

Beneficial features

This fruit is valued not only for its bright color and sweet, rich taste. Pomegranate contains large quantities of useful microelements and vitamins. It contains tannins, organic acids, vitamins A, B2, B1, C, P, E.

• The fruits of the pomegranate tree are often used in folk medicine.
• With low hemoglobin. To lift, it is recommended to drink pomegranate juice.
• For diabetes.
• For the prevention of atherosclerosis.
• For stomach upsets, it is recommended to drink infusions of dried pomegranate peel.

Contraindications

The popularity and beneficial properties of pomegranate juice are known to everyone. But remember that it should be consumed in moderation. After all, regular consumption in large quantities can cause gradual destruction of tooth enamel.

It is advisable to exclude pomegranate juice from the diet for people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases (ulcers, gastritis). After all, it greatly increases acidity and can cause an exacerbation of the disease.

Conclusion

Pomegranate is not only a juicy, tasty fruit. This is a beautiful flowering tree that can easily be grown in your garden or at home. The background of a flowering tree makes for very beautiful photographs. In addition, you will enjoy not only the beautiful flowering of the plant, but also the delicious fruits.

It is also worth noting the beneficial qualities of the fruit. They are rich in vitamins and microelements, increase blood pressure and hemoglobin. This berry is very useful for children.

Botanical name: Pomegranate or Pomegranate tree (Punica) is a shrub or small tree of the loosestrife family.

Homeland of pomegranate: Iran, Western Asia, Transcaucasia.

Lighting: photophilous.

The soil: moderately moist, loose.

Watering: abundant.

Maximum tree height: 10 m.

Average life expectancy: more than 50 years.

Landing: seeds, cuttings.

What does a pomegranate tree look like?

Pomegranate is a fruit tree or shrub reaching up to 6 m in height. The bark is grayish-brown. The branches are thin, prickly, branching, erect.

The leaves are light green, opposite, elongated, glossy, 7-8 cm long, collected in groups.

The flowers are large, red-orange, pink, less often yellow or white, up to 4 cm in diameter, bell-shaped, very decorative. Flowering is abundant and quite long. Lasts from May to August.

The fruits are round, yellow-red or red-brown, large, 6-12 cm in diameter, weighing up to 500 g. Inside the fruit there are numerous seeds surrounded by a juicy shell. The pulp tastes sweet and sour, contains monosaccharides, tannins, various acids, vitamins and polyphenols. A description of the pomegranate fruit would not be complete without mentioning its seeds, located in 9-12 cells or chambers with membranes. One pomegranate contains up to 1300 seeds. The fruits ripen from September to February. In the southern regions from March to May. Up to 60 kg of harvest is obtained from one tree.

Where does the pomegranate fruit grow?

Countries where pomegranate fruit grows: Middle East, Italy, Greece, Caucasus, Crimea, Uzbekistan and other countries. In Russia it is grown in Sochi and Southern Dagestan.

In its wild form, the pomegranate tree is found in Southern Europe and Western Asia. Cultivated in tropical and subtropical countries.

Description of the beneficial properties of pomegranate fruit and contraindications

The pomegranate fruit is very tasty and healthy. Rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, C, E, P. Due to its valuable composition, it is used in folk medicine. It has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, restorative, diuretic properties. Regular consumption of pomegranate juice helps increase hemoglobin and has a beneficial effect on the blood. Pomegranate pulp is a prophylactic agent that prevents atherosclerosis. Pomegranate fruits are used for hypertension, to lower blood pressure, and have a beneficial effect on the nervous system.

The fruits and peel are used for diarrhea, colitis, and to improve the functioning of the digestive system. In addition, pomegranate is beneficial for people suffering from diabetes. It lowers blood sugar and replaces insulin. The fruits and peel contain tannins and organic acids, so decoctions are made from these parts of the plant to treat sore throat, stomatitis and gingivitis. For colds, it is recommended to rinse the throat and mouth with pomegranate juice, as it contains tannins that relieve pain and acids that kill germs. The fruit is also recommended for malignant tumors. It improves immunity and normalizes hormonal levels.

The peel has antihelminthic properties. Medicinal tea is brewed from the leaves to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The seeds contain oils that eliminate hormonal imbalances in the body. A decoction of flowers is used for bruises, wounds, fractures, ulcers and bedsores. Rub the healing decoction on sore spots. The peel is part of many medications that inhibit the development of intestinal bacillus, tuberculosis bacilli, cholera vibrios and other pathogenic bacteria.

If your hemoglobin level is low, it is recommended to drink half a glass of pomegranate juice several times a day. For stress and increased excitability, dried partitions (cells) from the fruit are added to tea. They help you relax and improve sleep. For men, pomegranate fruits are a preventative against prostate cancer and impotence.

The flowers are used as a hemostatic and analgesic.

The fruit is very useful for people living in areas of high radiation, since pomegranate removes radiation from the body.

However, when consuming fruits, you should remember that they contain alkaloids, which in large quantities are dangerous to the body, so an overdose can cause blurred vision, increased blood pressure, and dizziness.

The fruit is contraindicated for gastritis and stomach ulcers. Concentrated juice destroys tooth enamel, so it is recommended to dilute it with water when consuming.

Below you can see a photo of the pomegranate fruit:

Growing the pomegranate fruit tree

When growing, it should be taken into account that pomegranate is a warm and light-loving plant, and under favorable conditions it produces a rich harvest. The crop is propagated by seeds, cuttings and layering. It is also grown from the seed contained inside the fruit. Small flower pots and flower soil are suitable for planting. The soil must be permeable and contain crushed stone for good drainage. The soil is mixed with sand and peat.

Before planting, you need to prepare the seeds. To do this, they are kept in a dry place for 24 hours, then placed in the refrigerator for 5-6 days. The soil mixture is poured into a pot with drainage, then watered. The seed is buried in moist soil to a depth of 1 cm. The pot with the seedling is placed on a windowsill in the sun. The sprout appears after a few weeks. Sometimes the container is covered with plastic wrap, this speeds up seed germination. When shoots appear, the polyethylene is removed. A small but already strong tree is planted in the ground.

Planting in open ground is done in autumn or spring. The planting site should be well lit, where the plant will be in the sun all day long. Otherwise, the fruits of this subtropical crop will not have time to ripen on time. In addition, shading negatively affects the growth and development of the tree.

Pomegranates are also propagated by cuttings. To do this, cuttings of a healthy annual plant are prepared in advance. Planting is done in fertilized, heated, loose soil that allows air and moisture to pass through. To maintain soil moisture, the cuttings are covered with a film and the area is slightly shaded, since direct sunlight heats the temperature under the film, which can lead to the death of the plant.

Special care for pomegranate is necessary in the first years after planting. Watering is done as the soil dries. Excessive moisture leads to rotting of the roots. The soil should be loosened during the entire growing season. To maintain moisture, the tree trunk circle is mulched with dried leaves or straw. Fertilizing with organic fertilizers is applied in June. In autumn, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are applied. Pruning is carried out regularly to remove the stem and root shoots.

The first flowers on the tree begin to form in the fall before the onset of cold weather. To prevent the flowers from freezing, the plant is covered. In spring, flowers bloom simultaneously with the appearance of leaves. Pomegranate flowering begins 2-3 years after planting. Fruiting - for 4 years.

Not everyone knows what a pomegranate tree looks like, but this individual is of great decorative value and is often used to decorate personal plots. The flowers of this plant are very beautiful and unusual. You can verify this by looking at the photo of the pomegranate tree in the photo gallery below.

The family of pomegranates is very closely related to the loosestrife family, represented by only 1 genus with two species, of which one - the Socotra pomegranate (Punica protopunica) - is endemic to the island of Socotra, and the second - the common pomegranate (P. granatum, Fig. 107) - grows wild on Balkan Peninsula and Western Asia, reaching in the east to the borders of North-West India.

Pomegranates are low evergreen trees or deciduous shrubs with shoots often ending in thorns. The leaves are entire, usually opposite, crowded on short stems, with rudimentary stipules. The flowers are bisexual, actinomorphic, arranged singly or collected in bunches at the ends of axillary shoots. The colored, thick, 4-7-lobed calyx remains with the fruit. Petals 4-7, bright crimson, less often white or yellowish, crumpled in a bud like poppy petals. The stamens are numerous, arranged in 3-4 circles, as are the petals, attached to the edge of the flower tube. The gynoecium consists of several (up to 7) carpels, ending in a thin style with a capitate stigma; the ovary is inferior, multilocular, with one (Socotrans pomegranate) or two circles of sockets. In the common pomegranate, due to the growth of the receptacle, the outer circle of carpels shifts upward, resulting in the formation of 2 tiers of nests. It is very rare to see 3-4 tiers. This peculiar structure of the ovary is an extremely rare phenomenon among angiosperms and is found only in the common pomegranate. The fruit is a pomegranate the size of a large apple (Table 30) - with a leathery purple-red or greenish pericarp - filled with numerous seeds with a glassy pink-red pulp (the juicy outer layer of the seed coat). Seeds without endosperm, with large cotyledons folded one on top of the other.

The wild common pomegranate grows on dry gravelly and rocky slopes, rising to a height of 1000 m above sea level. It can often be found in the undergrowth of Aleppo pine and intertidal oaks. It forms clear stands or grows together with loquats, blackberries and blackberry trees. Socotra pomegranate is a low (2-4.5 m) evergreen tree, quite rare in nature, growing on limestone and rocky plateaus at an altitude of 250-010 m above sea level, often among thickets of Croton. It differs from the common pomegranate in its smaller flowers, raised on stalks, the structure of the ovary, fruit and a number of other anatomical and morphological characteristics. However, these differences are still insufficient to distinguish the Socotra pomegranate into an independent genus.

Pomegranates are cross-pollinated plants. During the day, when their flowers bloom most intensely, swarms of bees circle over the plants. More rare guests are beetles, butterflies and ants. Along with cross-pollination, self-pollination can also occur, which is facilitated by the special position of the young stigma, bent in such a way that it comes into contact with the lower row of ripe anthers. The flower remains open for 3-4 days, on the second day the anthers begin to ripen and burst. Despite the fragility of individual flowers, flowering continues for a long time: the plant stands covered with flowers from 1 to 3 months. After pollination, short-columnar flowers, which function as male flowers, fall off in the same way as intermediate flowers, and fruits develop from long-columnar flowers. It has been calculated that the percentage of such flowers is small and ranges from 5 to 20% of the total number of flowers on the plant and depends on the variety and age of the plants.

The common pomegranate has many beneficial properties. This is one of the most ancient cultures of the Mediterranean, as evidenced by its finds in Egyptian burials and images on ancient Byzantine fabrics. Its fruits often served as a model for ornaments among the ancient Greeks, Arabs, Egyptians and even Assyrians. Currently, it is cultivated in many countries around the world. In our country, pomegranate is grown in Transcaucasia, Crimea and Central Asia. Juicy pomegranate seeds are very tasty. The juice obtained from its seeds, containing up to 14% vitamin C, is an excellent refreshing drink; soft dry wines and sorbets, grenadine drink and punches are prepared from it. The bark of the branches and pericarp is rich in tannins; It is used for tanning and dyeing black especially thin varieties of leather such as saffiano. An infusion of flowers, the bark of branches and especially the roots has medicinal properties. The leaves serve as a substitute for tea. The fruits of the Socotra pomegranate, which are bitter and woody to the taste of Europeans, are considered quite pleasant by local residents.

This real king of fruits - pomegranate, is not only unique in its composition, but since ancient times it has been widely used both in medicine and in cosmetology. The benefits of pomegranate are generally recognized, and there is no doubt - it is one of the healthiest fruits. The beneficial properties of pomegranate will be discussed in this topic. You will also learn how to properly clean and eat this miracle

Since ancient times, the pomegranate has been called the king of fruits - according to legend, it was the pomegranate with its corolla on the top of the head that suggested to people the shape of the royal headdress. Nowadays, the reputation of a superfruit has been added to the title of the king - for its extremely beneficial properties.

Pomegranate is one of the healthiest fruits on Earth. It has been known since ancient times. Mentions of it are found even in the Bible.

Pomegranate is not only a delicious fruit, but also a whole vitamin and mineral complex. After all, the pomegranate contains everything necessary for the body to function properly. 15 amino acids were found in pomegranate juice, 6 of which are found in addition to pomegranate only in meat and are essential for the human body. And if you are a vegetarian and eat exclusively plant and dairy foods, then pomegranate is exactly the fruit that should always be on your table. It also contains 4 essential vitamins: C, P, B6 and B12. Why the main ones, you ask, because vitamin C strengthens the immune system, P - blood vessels, B6 - the nervous system, and vitamin B12 improves hematopoiesis. But that's not all! Pomegranates are simply ideal for fasting days, since 100 g of pulp contains 62-79 kcal, and 100 ml of pomegranate juice contains 42-65 kcal. Pomegranates are also rich in minerals such as iodine, potassium, calcium, iron, and silicon.

The “correct” pomegranate should be dry on the outside and juicy on the inside. This means that the crust of a ripe fruit should be slightly dry and slightly tighter than the grains. If the crust is smooth, the pomegranate was picked ahead of time. In addition to the peel, pay attention to the “butt” of the pomegranate - the place where the flower grew: there should be no greenery there. One last thing: the pomegranate should be firm to the touch. If it is soft, it means it was beaten on the road, rotted or frozen. Immediately discard such fruit; it will bring neither pleasure nor benefit.

It is not for nothing that this tree is called royal: the scarlet flowers and dark green leathery leaves are extremely beautiful. Almost everything is used for medicinal purposes: from the peel of the fruit to the branches of the pomegranate tree.

Pomegranate juice also has an anti-inflammatory effect (for example, as a gargle for stomatitis and laryngitis), as well as for burns. But in this place we need to dwell in more detail. The burnt lesion is moistened with juice diluted with water, then the skin area is sprinkled with powder from the dry pericarp. After that, a crust forms on the burned surface, under which healing quickly occurs.

Pomegranate juice is a high-vitamin product, so it is recommended to drink it for exhaustion, anemia, atherosclerosis, respiratory infections, bronchial asthma, sore throat, and radiation exposure. The juice of sweet pomegranate varieties has proven itself as a restorative remedy after infectious diseases and operations, renal colic and gastrointestinal disorders. The juice of sour varieties helps with diabetes. If there are no special recommendations, then a glass of pomegranate juice is prescribed with the addition of one tablespoon of honey three times a day. Attention: pomegranate juice is contraindicated for stomach ulcers, gastritis with high acidity of gastric juice!

The most famous property of pomegranate is the fight against anemia. For anemia, drink diluted pomegranate juice 0.5 cups 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals for 2 months.

Ripe pomegranate bark contains the alkaloids peltierine, isopelletierine and methylisopelletierine, which have a strong anthelmintic effect. To get rid of worms, infuse 40-50 g of crushed bark in 400 g of cold water for 6 hours, and then boil over low heat until half the liquid has evaporated. Strain the cooled broth and drink in small portions within an hour. After an hour, drink a laxative, and after 4-5 hours, do an enema.

Pomegranate bark and fruits have astringent properties, so they are used against diarrhea, colitis and enterocolitis. Adults need to dry, grind the bark and take a pinch 3 times a day after meals, and for this purpose children can be given freshly squeezed juice diluted half with water. In case of infectious diarrhea, the polyphenols contained in pomegranate peel are effective in reducing the growth of dysentery bacillus and other pathogens.

An aqueous decoction of pomegranate peel or its juice is used to gargle the throat (for sore throat and pharyngitis), and the mouth (for gingivitis and stomatitis). Tannins relieve pain, and organic acids destroy infection.

Pomegranate fruits are one of the few sweets that are not only acceptable, but also beneficial for diabetics. To do this, drink 60 drops of juice 4 times a day before meals. Already on the 3rd day, your blood sugar levels will drop significantly.

Pomegranate juice is very useful for everyone who works with radioactive isotopes or lives in an area of ​​high radiation. Removes radiation.

Do you have oily skin, acne or purulent rashes? Make a mask of lightly toasted, crushed pomegranate peel with butter or olive oil. Store it in the refrigerator and apply to skin no more than 2 times a week. And the powder from the dried peel can effectively treat burns, cracks and scratches.

Pomegranate seeds very gently reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients. And membranes from pomegranate fruits, dried and added to tea, will help calm the nervous system, get rid of anxiety, and improve night sleep.

Pomegranate seeds contain oils that restore hormonal balance in the body. Therefore, do not spit out pomegranate seeds - you need to eat them, especially if you have painful periods, headaches or menopause.

For various inflammatory diseases (kidneys, liver, ears and eyes, joints, gynecological organs), a decoction of pomegranate bark helps. Prepare it like this: pour 2 teaspoons of crushed bark into 1 glass of hot water, boil in a water bath for 30 minutes, strain, squeeze and dilute with boiled water to the original level. Take 50 g 2-3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.

Now how to properly peel a pomegranate!

1. Make an X-shaped cut into the top of the pomegranate.

2. Place your pomegranate in a large bowl of water and place your fingers in the center of the X and peel off the skin.

3.With the pomegranate submerged in water, use your fingers to gently peel the berries. These pomegranate berries will sink to the bottom of the bowl and the membranes will float to the surface. Water will help you avoid scattering berries around the kitchen and splashing grenades in your face. When you separate the pomegranate into small pieces to get to the seeds, hold the pomegranate with the berries facing down.

4.After all the berries have been removed, use a sieve to remove floating membranes and drain the water.

5.Enjoy!