Pomegranate (Anar in Hindi & Beejpur in Sanskrit) has been used for thousands of years to cure a wide range of diseases across different cultures and civilizations. It has great nutritional values and numerous health benefits. The Pomegranate known as Beejpur in Sanskrit, meaning replete with seeds symbolizes prosperity and fertility. In the Indian culture Pomegranate is associated with Bhoomidevi (the earth goddess) and Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is also known as the Bijapuraphalasakta, the one fond of the many-seeded fruit. Ayurveda the ancient form of medicine in India uses the root, bark, flowers, fruit & leaves of the Pomegranate for medicinal purposes.
Pomegranate is mentioned in ancient Greek, Hebrew, Buddhist, Islamic, and Christian mythology and scriptures. It is described in records dating from around 1500 BC as a treatment for tapeworm and other parasitic organisms. Many cultures use pomegranate as a folk medicine. Pomegranate is native to present day Iraq and Iran and may have originated from the Mediterranean. Pomegranate has been grown widely in parts of the United States, Afghanistan, Russia, India, China, and Japan since ancient times.
Medicinal uses of Pomegranates
Heart Problems: Frequent intake of pomegranate juice can maintain good flow of the blood in the body. Along with this, it decreases the risk of heart attack and heart strokes.
Stomach Disorder: Pomegranates peel, bark and leaves are used to calm the stomach disorder or diarrhea triggered due to any kind of digestive problems. Drinking tea made from the leaves of this fruit helps in curing digestive problems. Pomegranate juice is also used for handling problems of dysentery and cholera.
Dental Care: The best benefit of pomegranate is that its juice, along with its antibacterial and antiviral properties, helps to reduce the effects of dental plaque.
Cancer: Pomegranates consist of advanced level of antioxidants called flavenoids. These flavenoids are thought to be effective in counteracting various cancer radials. The individuals that face high risk of prostate and breast cancer should start drinking the juice of this fruit, as this will help them to reduce further risk of developing cancer. Regular consumption of pomegranates can reduce the PSA levels in the body and helps to fight the existing cancer cells in the body.
Osteoarthritis: Pomegranate minimizes the illness triggered in various forms, like atherosclerosis and osteoarthritis. The loss that is triggered due to the thickening and solidifying of the arterial walls and in cartilage and joints can be cured by consuming this fruit. Also, pomegranate is capable of preventing the creation of minerals that are liable for breaking down the connective tissues.
Diabetes: Consuming of pomegranate fruit juice by a diabetic patient can prevent coronary illnesses. Along with this, there is a slowdown in solidifying of the bloodstream, which can fuel non-occurrence of various heart diseases.
Anemia: Healthy blood flow can be maintained in the body by consuming this fruit in any form. Pomegranate seed extract supplies iron to blood and thus, help to decrease the anemic symptoms including fatigue, wooziness and weakness and hear loss.
Other Advantageous Forms of Pomegranate
With the passage of time, more and more people have started acknowledging the importance of consuming pomegranates. There are other advantages too, like pomegranate reduces the likelihood of having premature infants and it is also beneficial for the expected mothers to avoid having low weight infants during birth. Pomegranate seed extract also reduces the likelihood of creating Alzheimer’s disease among the elderly. It helps controlling aging issues like wrinkles and thus, facilitates youthful and glowing skin. Other than this, it allows a woman to overcome from her depression interval, especially from the menopause period. The pomegranate fruit juice is also known to be very helpful in treating issues of erectile dysfunctions. It is a good natural aphrodisiac and improves sperm count and semen quality.
The astringent features of the flower juice, rind and tree bark are considered valuable for a wide range of purposes, such as stopping nose bleeds and gum bleeds, toning skin (after mixing with mustard oil) firming-up sagging breasts and treating hemorrhoid. Pomegranate seed (of specific fruit strains) is also used as eye drops as it is believed to slow the development of cataracts. Pomegranate is used as a gargle for a sore throat, and it is applied to the epidermis to cure hemorrhoid flare-ups. It cleanses and clarifies oral cavity, throat, esophagus stomach and chest.