The pomegranate tree, which is frequently mentioned in the holy books and produces the pomegranate fruit that is loved and eaten in the autumn season, is the exemplary plant of Nargiles. Various sources state that the homeland of pomegranate is various countries of Western Asia, including Anatolia.
Pomegranate trees are grown in many countries today, especially in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions of our country, with their seeds carried in bird droppings, and in many regions with suitable climates. The pomegranate tree, which has an economic life of 30-50 years and can grow up to 4-5 m in height, has a strong root system that can live up to 100 years.
The thin, curved trunk of the plant, which starts from the soil level and branches out by giving many shoots, looks like a bush. The upper surface of the leaves is green or dark green and thin, long and spear-shaped and arranged opposite each other on the branches. The special pomegranate red and rarely yellow and white flowers that start to bloom in April-May are found in 1-5 pieces at the ends of the shoots. The fruit of the pomegranate tree, which remains in bloom for 50-70 days and is beautiful as an ornamental plant, has a development period of 120-160 days.
The pomegranate, which ripens in autumn, is flattened from the top and the size of a large orange, and is covered with a 1-5 mm thick, leathery shell that is yellow, green-yellow or red. Under this shell, there are edible pomegranate seeds, an average of 1,000 in each fruit.
The grains are located in the chambers formed by the inward extension of the shell. Inside them are the seeds of the fruit, the core. Ripened pomegranates are sweet, tart or sour in taste and are eaten fresh or squeezed to make juice, syrup or sherbet.
NUTRITIONAL VALUES
Important nutritional values contained in 100 gr. fresh pomegranate are as follows: 63 calories; 0.5 gr. protein; 16 gr. carbohydrates; 0 cholesterol; 0.3 gr. fat; high fiber if eaten with seeds; 8 mg. phosphorus; 3 mg. calcium; 0.3 mg. iron; 3 mg. sodium; 259 mg. potassium; trace amounts of vitamin A; 0.03 mg. vitamin B1; 0.03 mg. vitamin B2; 0.3 mg. vitamin B3 and 4 mg. vitamin C.
BENEFITS TO OUR HEALTH
As can be seen from the examination of the above values, pomegranate is a valuable food, especially in terms of potassium and carbohydrates. In addition, pomegranate has the following beneficial effects on our health:
The peels of the pomegranate fruit are astringent and have a tonic effect: For this, the pomegranate peels are finely chopped, 2-3 teaspoons of them are taken and a glass of boiling water is poured over them. An infusion is obtained by infusing for 10-15 minutes. This infusion is drunk twice a day, one glass in the morning and one in the evening.
Drinking the same dose of the infusion described above also has a tapeworm-reducing effect on the body.
Pomegranate peels are also used against severe diarrhea and dysentery due to the same effects: To achieve this effect, 2-3 teaspoons of fresh or sunless, airy pomegranate peels are taken and heated to boiling point in a glass of water. Then, heating over low heat for another 10-15 minutes is continued to obtain a decoction. This decoction is drunk twice a day, one glass in the morning and one in the evening.
Dried and ground pomegranate peels are sprinkled on wounds and used as a blood-thinning agent due to the same effect.
Squeezing ripe pomegranate seeds and drinking its juice or eating plenty of pomegranate seeds has diuretic, digestive and tonic (body strengthening) effects.
