Description

The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit-bearing deciduous herb in the family Lythraceae, subfamily Punicoideae, that grows between 5 and 10 m (16 and 33 ft) tall. Young pomegranate in Side, Turkey The pomegranate was originally described throughout the Mediterranean region. It was introduced into Spanish America in the late 16th century and into California by Spanish settlers in 1769. The fruit is typically in season in the Northern Hemisphere from October to February and in the Southern Hemisphere from March to May. As intact sarcotestas or juice, pomegranates are used in baking, cooking, juice blends, meal garnished, smoothies, and alcoholic beverages, such as cocktails and wine.

Features:

The pomegranate is a shrub, usually with multiple stems, that commonly grows 6-15 ft tall. The slender branches start out upright, then droop gracefully. Pomegranates have beautiful orange-red trumpet shaped flowers with ruffled petals. From one to several flowers may be borne on a twig, one being terminal, the others lateral and solitary. The odorless but colorful flowers are large, 1 1/2 to 3 inches in length, campanulate or cylindrical, and generally reddish but sometimes yellow to white. There are five or more petals, some of which may be doubled. The stamens are numerous, erect to slightly curved at the apex, and red - the anthers are yellow. Pomegranate is a native of NE Turkey to W Pakistan, widely cultivated in India.

Medicinal Uses:

Pomegranate 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. Pomegranates as a Treatment for Cancer, Osteoarthritis and Other Diseases. The pomegranate has been used in natural and holistic medicine to treat sore throats, coughs, urinary infections, digestive disorders, skin disorders, arthritis, and to expel tapeworms. However, modern research suggests that pomegranates might be useful in treating such serious conditions as prostate cancer, skin cancer, osteoarthritis, and diabetes. Studies also show that pomegranate seeds might help rid the digestive system of fats. Clinical research shows that pomegranates, when part of a healthy diet, might help prevent heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. This is because pomegranates have the potential to thin the blood, increase blood flow to the heart, reduce blood pressure, reduce plaque in the arteries, and reduce bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol.