Almost overnight, pomegranate is appearing everywhere.
The pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), is popular because it is being touted as a miracle food. Curly tops may have noticed that it now is a key ingredient in beauty products, including shampoos and conditioners. Are you wondering why this gorgeous, deep red, seed-heavy food—once found only in potpourri—now is inundating our pantries and bathroom cabinets? Then read on.
Contrary to popular belief, the pomegranate is not a fruit but the berry pf an African and Asian tree called Punica granatum. Its original Latin name “arbor punica,” means “Carthaginian tree” because Romans first encountered large groves of pomegranate trees growing in North Africa’s famed city of Carthage. Rome waged war with Carthage, and they were named the Punic Wars. Punic is a root word evident in its Latin etymology as well as the description of its chemical constituents. Its other Latin names are malum punicum (Carthaginian apple) and malum granatum (seedy fruit). Pomegranate gained notoriety in ancient Carthage, quickly spreading at the hands of the Romans to the Mediterranean, Middle East and parts of India—all places where they still are enjoyed in local cuisine and folk medicine.
Habit, Growth, Distribution
The pomegranate only has one genus and two species. It is a small tree or shrub growing between 20 and 30 feet high. The pomegranate tree is spiny, with multiple branches, and can live as long as 200 years. Its leaves are about 4 inches long and are and leathery textured. Bold flowers appear on the branch tips, with as many as five to a cluster. The seeds represent more than half of the pomegranate’s body weight.
The trees continue to thrive in tropical Africa and North Africa, the East Indies and Middle East as well as arid regions of Southeast Asia. Pomegranates are commonly planted in Bermuda. The tree was introduced to Latin and North America around 1760. Pomegranate trees prefer a mild, temperate, subtropical climate, yet adapt to regions with cool winters and hot summers. They are grown as far north as Washington D.C.
Berry of Myth and Legend
Pomegranates have such a unique appearance that they have sparked many a myth and legend. Considered an aphrodisiac, the rich red color lends itself to use in love magic.
Although it has recently stormed onto the scene as a super food, it has a long history in health and beauty. It has been used in Africa since at least New Kingdom, Egypt as a medicine and a nourishing food.
North African Medicinal Uses of Pomegranate
In holistic health, it is important not to isolate parts of the plant while disposing of the rest. Many parts of the pomegranate tree are useful, and knowing all of its uses rather than focusing solely on the berry can be helpful in your holistic health regimen.
- Pomegranate tree root bark is anthelmintic (destroys or causes expulsion of parasitic intestinal worms.)
- The tree bark is also a vermifuge which expels worms.
- Root and bark can be extracted to release astringent solution.
- Pomegranate wood is a malleable wood good for carving and is used in crafts.
- The rind is especially astringent.
- The dried pulverized rind is used to treat ulcers of the digestive tract.
- It is antidiarrheic (controls diarrhea) and hemostatic (arrests flow of blood or hemorrhaging). Revered as a dentifrice (used to cleanse teeth, strengthen the gums, and fight plague).
- Rind and flowers yield important dyes used in textiles
Berry (Fruit)
- Used to treat leucorrhea and for pectoral troubles.
- It is an effective preventative for air borne infections because of its cleansing (diuretic and astringent) actions.
- Ripe fruit is used to treat infections of the digestive tract.
- Ink is created from steeped leaves.
Parts of the entire tree are used in tanning and curing leather. The bark contains 10 to 25 percent tannin. Root bark has 28 percent tannin; the leaves 11 percent tannin and fruit rind up to 26 percent tannin. Pomegranate’s leaves, fruit and peel are used for astringent properties and to stop diarrhea. The bark, stem and root contain alkaloids used against tapeworm. Bark leaves and unripe fruit are astringent, halting diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhages. Leaves, roots, seeds, bark are hypotensive, antispasmodic and anthelmintic. Flower buds are mildly astringent.
