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.
