Punica granatum
Botanical Nomenclature | Punica granatum |
Common Name | Pomegranate |
Taxonomy- Family | Punicaceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Punica granatum is a deciduous shrub or tree growing from 2 to 5m, with opposite, bulbar or wavy, smooth leaves and large, orange-red, single flowers. The flowering takes place from June to September. |
Region Found | Epirus |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Fruits, seeds |
Active Substances | Polyphenols, alkaloids, carbohydrates, tannins, calcium, protein, phosphorus, iron, vitamins C, B, organic acids (linolenic, oleic, palmitic, oxalate, stearate, citrate, malic, chlorogenic, caffeic, ferulic and coumaric), catechins, quercetin |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The fruit juice is used as immunostimulant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-diarrheal, astringent, emollient, emmenagogue and diuretic. A lot of studies have shown that pomegranate is helpful in some types of cancer, such as leukemia, colon cancer, prostate and breast cancer. Also, it is recommended in the form of herbal tea made from the fruits against dysentery, diarrhea, prolonged bleeding, helminths and parasites. |
Method of Administration | The plant is administered against dysentery and diarrhea in the form of herbal tea (15-20g of fruits in 1L of boiled water, 1-2 spoons every 2-3 hours). It is recommended for the treatment of helminths and parasites in the form of infusion or herbal tea (25-30g of dried flowers or 30g of dried fruits in 1L of boiling water, 2-3 times a day) Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
Toxicity- Adverse Effects | Overdose may cause gastric irritation, vomiting, dizziness, tremors, visual disturbances, even more death. |
References | 1) Bιβλίο: Τα φαρμακευτικά βότανα και οι θεραπευτικές τους ιδιότητες, Λάμπρου Π. Σπύρου, Αγροτικός εκδοτικός οίκος, Αθήνα 1981, Β' τόμος, σελίδες: 465-468, 2) ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ ΚΑΤΣΙΚΗΣ, ΚΑΘΗΓΗΤΗΣ ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟΥ ΙΩΑΝΝΙΝΩΝ. ΤΟ ΥΓΡΟΤΟΠΙΚΟ ΣΥΣΤΗΜΑ ΤΟΥ ΑΧΕΡΟΝΤΑ-ΓΕΩΓΡΑΦΙΚΗ ΚΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΒΑΛΛΟΝΤΙΚΗ ΠΕΡΙΗΓΗΣΗ. ΖΩΣΙΜΑΔΕΣ. ΑΠΡ-ΜΑΪ-ΙΟΥΝ 2010, 32 3)http://www.phytojournal.com/vol1Issue5/6.html 4)http://www.academia.edu/2563637/Medicinal_Uses_Of_Punica_Granatum_and_Its_Health_Benefits 5)http://health-from-nature.net/Pomergranate.html 6)http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Punica+granatum |