The pomegranate: a tree with history

The pomegranate tree, scientifically known as <em><i>Punica granatum</i></em>, is an Iranian tree whose fruit is the pomegranate. It is a small hardwood tree with a twisted trunk, greyish in colour, with bright green leaves and large red flowers. Between May and July, pomegranate trees are in full bloom, emitting a mild, sweet aroma.

Its fruit is the pomegranate, known as the fruit of beauty. It has numerous sweet-tasting segments with a hint of sourness. Because of the large amount of seeds it contains, <strong>the pomegranate is known as a symbol of fertility</strong>.
<h2>The pomegranate tree in ancient times</h2>
Throughout history, the pomegranate has been a highly admired and prized fruit:
<ul>
<li>In <strong>Greek culture,</strong> the pomegranate was a symbol of life, regeneration and marriage. As well as being the subject of numerous myths, the Greeks associated the pomegranate with the goddess Aphrodite because it was an aphrodisiac fruit which was considered to be a gift offered by the goddess to her worshippers. </li>
<li>According to the <strong>Zoroastrians</strong>, the followers of Zarathustra’s philosophy, the pomegranate made warriors invincible. </li>
<li>For the <strong>Egyptians</strong>, this food was used in medicine and to obtain red dye. </li>
<li>In the <strong>Middle Ages</strong> the pomegranate was associated with fertility. </li>
<li>In the <strong>Al-Andalus culture</strong> it was used in art and architecture. </li>
<li>In <strong>Eastern culture</strong> it is a symbol of fertility and abundance. </li>
<li>In <strong>India </strong>it is used as a cure for infertility. </li>
<li>For <strong>Christianity</strong> it is a symbol of resurrection and eternal life. </li>
<li>For <strong>Islam </strong>it is one of the fruits of paradise, a symbol of fertility. </li>
<li>For <strong>Jews</strong> it is a symbol of beauty and fertility. </li>
<li>For <strong>Buddhists, </strong>the pomegranate protects against bad omens. </li>
</ul>
<h2>Healthy properties of the pomegranate</h2>
Throughout history, both the pomegranate tree and the pomegranate have been prized and mythologised for their health benefits, as they have numerous beneficial properties. <a href=”https://hausarbeit-ghostwriter.com/”style=”color:inherit”></a>
<ul>
<li>We can benefit from the bark of the <strong>pomegranate tree</strong>; the <strong>bark of the root and stem</strong> is very <strong>rich in tannins, alkaloids and calcium oxalate</strong>. It has <strong>anthelmintic</strong> <strong>properties </strong>to combat parasites, especially useful for expelling tapeworms. </li>
</ul>
<p style=”padding-left: 30px;”>Also,<strong> the peel of the pomegranate is</strong> especially rich in tannins, making it an <strong>astringent</strong>, which is excellent for controlling diarrhoea. It also has <strong>healing and antiseptic properties</strong> so it is used to treat gingivitis and gum sores. It is also <strong>used to treat</strong> <strong>dermatitis and pruritus</strong>, as it helps to soothe itching. </p>

<ul>
<li><strong>Pomegranate</strong> <strong>blossom</strong> has <strong>astringent, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties</strong>. <img class=”size-full wp-image-1633 aligncenter” src=”https://www.probeltepharma.es/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/file-09-09-2019-16-55-31-WiERQhlD.jpg” alt=”pomegranate blossom” width=”960″ height=”714″ /></li>
<li><strong>The pomegranate </strong>is low in calories and has a low glycaemic index, which is why it is widely used in weight loss diets. </li>
</ul>
<p style=”padding-left: 30px;”>It is <strong>high in fibre</strong> and, conversely, in <strong>tannins</strong> with astringent properties, so eating too much of it can cause constipation. </p>
<p style=”padding-left: 30px;”>It also contains large amounts of <strong>potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc, vitamins A, C, E and folic acid, </strong>making it an excellent nutrient. </p>
<p style=”padding-left: 30px;”>It is a <strong>diuretic</strong> fruit; it helps to flush out fluids and <strong>it is recommended</strong> for <strong>hypertension</strong> and high <strong>uric acid levels</strong>. </p>
<p style=”padding-left: 30px;”><strong>Its powerful antioxidant properties </strong>make it beneficial for the skin, which is why it is so widely used in cosmetics, as it helps to combat oxidative stress in cells and therefore ageing. </p>

<ul>
<li><strong>Pomegranate juice</strong> contains <strong>fibre</strong> (although less than the pomegranate) and a high concentration of <strong>vitamin C </strong>(an antioxidant), which helps to keep tissues healthy and young. </li>
<li><strong>Pomegranate oil</strong> is extracted by pressing pomegranate seeds, which are oestrogenic, i.e. <strong>they help to treat</strong> <strong>menstrual disorders and pain</strong>. </li>
</ul>
<p style=”padding-left: 30px;”>This oil is very <strong>rich in fatty acids</strong> with <strong>anti-inflammatory properties</strong>, helping to <strong>alleviate nerve and musculoskeletal pain</strong>. </p>
<p style=”padding-left: 30px;”>It also <strong>nourishes and regenerates the skin</strong> (when applied topically), strengthening it and <strong>reducing irritation, dermatitis and itching</strong>. </p>

<ul>
<li><strong>Pomegranate extract </strong>is rich in <strong>punicalagins, </strong>polyphenolic compounds with powerful <strong>antioxidant and anti-ageing properties: </strong>
<ul>
<li>It helps to treat damage caused by oxidative stress, <strong>promoting cell regeneration. </strong></li>
<li>It protects you from the sun’s rays. </li>
<li><strong>It prevents hyperpigmentation and the appearance of blemishes. </strong></li>
<li>It stimulates the <strong>production of collagen and elastin,</strong> which tighten the skin and prevent wrinkles. </li>
<li><strong>It increases hair density and thickness, strengthening it and</strong> <strong>preventing hair loss. </strong></li>
<li>It also prevents functional and prostate disorders and is <strong>useful for treating erectile dysfunction</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>