Useful properties of pomegranate peels and how to use them

With health benefits, they use not only pomegranate berries, but also the peel. In addition to traditional vitamins and minerals, it contains tannins, polyphenols, essential oils, pectins. Due to its diverse biological composition, pomegranate peels are used for the treatment and prevention of various diseases and conditions.

Despite the fact that many consider the pomegranate peel to be absolutely harmless, contraindications to it use are still available. Therefore, it is permissible to use it as a remedy only in cases where the prescription, dosage, and course of treatment have been agreed with the doctor. In the article we will tell you about the beneficial properties, contraindications and use of pomegranate peels.

Composition and properties of pomegranate peels

Pomegranate peel is characterized by its rich chemical composition:

• water - 81 g;
• organic acids - 1.8 g;
• ash - 0.5 g;
• dietary fiber - 0.9 g;
• sugar - 14.5 g;
• fatty acids - 0.1 g;
• omega-6 - 0.079 g

The vitamin and mineral complex is represented by the following elements (per 100 g):

• A - 0.5 μg;
• beta-carotene - 0.03 mg;
• B1 - 0.04 mg;
• B2 - 0.01 mg;
• B3 - 0.4 mg;
• B4 - 7.6 mg;
• B5 - 0.54 mg;
• B6 - 0.5 mg;
• B9 - 18 mcg;
• C - 4 mg;
• E - 0.4 mg;
• H - 0.4 μg;
• K - 16.4 μg;
• PP - 0.5 mg;
• potassium - 150 mg;
• calcium - 10 mg;
• magnesium - 2 mg;
• sodium - 2 mg;
• sulfur - 16.7 mg;
• phosphorus - 8 mg;
• chlorine - 2 mg;
• iron - 1 mg;
• iodine - 2 μg;
• cobalt - 2.1 μg;
• manganese - 0.119 mg;
• copper - 158 mcg;
• molybdenum - 5.1 mcg;
• selenium - 0.5 mcg;
• fluorine - 58.7 mcg;
• chromium - 1.5 mcg;
• zinc - 0.35 mg.

Pomegranate skins have immunostimulating, diuretic, choleretic, antioxidant, adsorbent, antimicrobial effects, improve the functions of individual organs and systems, and contribute to the overall health of the body.

Biological and nutritional value

Pomegranate peel has a low calorie content - 72 kcal and a relatively low glycemic index - 35 units.

BJU per 100 g:

• proteins - 0.7 g;
• fats - 0.6 g;
• carbohydrates - 14.5 g.

Nutritional value and chemical composition depend on the variety, climatic growing conditions, and the degree of fruit ripeness.

Harm and benefit

Pomegranate peels are an effective vitamin remedy that serves as an additional source of ascorbic acid, tocopherol, retinol, magnesium, sodium, which are responsible for the normal functioning of the immune system.

Active ingredients protect against influenza, colds, urinary and other infectious diseases. With already existing pathologies, they alleviate the severity of symptoms, shorten the recovery time, reduce the need for drugs, and prevent possible complications.

Pomegranate peel is a powerful antioxidant that protects organs and tissues from the damaging effects of free radicals, prevents the formation and growth of cancer cells, and slows down the aging process.

The vitamins and minerals in the pomegranate peel have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system:

• reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood, prevent the development of atherosclerosis;
• regulate insulin levels, which is especially important for people with diabetes;
• improve the capillary blood flow and reduce the permeability of the vascular walls;
• take part in the formation of erythrocytes;
• prevent the development of anemia.

Possessing pronounced diuretic and choleretic properties, pomegranate peels remove excess fluid from the body, relieve it of edema, and lower blood pressure.

Pomegranate skins facilitate the course of diseases of the musculoskeletal system: arthritis, arthrosis, gout, osteochondrosis. They normalize metabolism, gently and painlessly remove salts of heavy metals from the body along with urine. Regular use of a decoction / infusion of pomegranate peel relieves inflammation, reduces the intensity of pain.

Pomegranate peel is good for the nervous system. B vitamins have an antispasmodic and calming effect, reduce psycho-emotional arousal, facilitate the process of falling asleep and improve the quality of sleep. Pomegranate peels are of particular value for people whose activities involve intellectual and emotional stress.

Biologically active components of the pomegranate peel are necessary for the full functioning of the reproductive, visual, and digestive systems.

A decoction made from pomegranate peels contributes to natural weight loss. Dietary fiber stimulates digestion, regulates all types of metabolism, accelerates the breakdown of fats, gently cleanses the intestines from accumulated toxins and toxins. They provide fast and long-lasting satiety, stimulate physical activity, and accordingly, additional calories are consumed. The skins have a mild laxative effect, restore the intestinal microflora, preventing the development of dysbiosis.

In folk medicine, dermatological and helminthic diseases are treated with a decoction of pomegranate peels, used to heal wounds, burns, as an auxiliary agent that increases the effectiveness of antibiotics.

The harm to the pomegranate peel is associated with the presence of alkaloids in the composition. This is plant ash, which in small doses has a healing effect, in large doses it is poisonous. The haphazard use of a medicine made from pomegranate skins will cause intoxication of the body, which is manifested by weakness, nausea, dizziness, and convulsions.

Important. Pomegranate peel is a strong allergen. If the permissible norm is exceeded, a local allergic reaction may develop in the form of a rash, peeling on the skin, urticaria, and edema.

Therapeutic effect on the body

The benefits and harms of pomegranate peel depend on the appropriateness of use, dosage and correct use.

With already existing pathologies, the skins are used in addition to the main therapeutic methods. This is a herbal product that does not contain aggressive chemical components, so usually its effectiveness is not enough to resist the developed disease.

For the digestive tract

In folk medicine, a decoction of pomegranate peels is used to treat diseases of the digestive system: colitis, enterocolitis, dysbiosis. Possessing astringent properties, the skins relieve the severity of symptoms of gastric ulcer and 12 duodenal ulcer, increased acidity of gastric juice.

Pomegranate peel stimulates intestinal motility, as a result, food masses move more easily and faster through the digestive tract, thereby ensuring regular bowel movements, freeing the intestines from toxins and toxins. Also, the crusts accelerate the healing process of damaged mucous membranes, regulate the intestinal microflora.

For gums

Broth based on skins grenade recommended for use in case of infection of the gums of an infectious or traumatic nature... If diseases are caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, then the peel acts as a local antibiotic - it inhibits the growth or completely destroys pathogens, prevents the spread of infection throughout the body. With regular use of the remedy, swelling subsides, the intensity of pain decreases, bleeding disappears during brushing.

In case of traumatic damage to the gum tissue, the pomegranate peel speeds up the healing process, protects the mucous membranes from infections. Vitamin C together with calcium increases bone density, provides teeth mineralization.

From parasites

Pomegranate skins have a broad spectrum of antiparasitic properties. They cause the death of roundworms, bovine and pork tapeworms, tapeworms, lamblia, pinworms, echinococci. As the remedy is used, the severity of toxic-allergic manifestations decreases: skin rash, muscle pain, irritability, fatigue, nausea, heartburn.

In case of intestinal helminthiasis, a decoction of pomegranate peels is used as a powerful sorbent to restore a favorable intestinal microflora, to reduce the harmful effects of antibiotics.

With burns

Due to its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, the skins are used to treat and prevent complications of various dermatological diseases (acne, dermatoses, diaper rash, fungal infections).

For wounds and burns, pomegranate peel prevents the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the open cavity, stimulates tissue regeneration, improves blood microcirculation and local metabolism.

Vitamins and minerals in pomegranate peel have a beneficial effect on the skin:

• stimulate collagen production;
• slow down the aging process;
• tone up;
• moisturize;
• protect from the negative effects of sunlight;
• regulate the sebaceous glands.

How to use pomegranate peels in cooking

In cooking, dried and crushed pomegranate peels in small doses are added to baked goods, desserts, used for making sauce, marinade for meat, chicken, fish. They give the dish a specific aroma, a unique sweet and sour taste.

Aromatic and healthy tea is brewed from pomegranate skins, which not only quenches thirst well, but also prevents the development of many diseases.

In folk medicine

Depending on the therapeutic tasks, a decoction is prepared on the basis of pomegranate peel, an infusion, which is taken internally or externally in the form of compresses, and a tonic tea is brewed. For diseases of the oral cavity, it is used for rinsing.

How to prepare a decoction:

1. 2 tsp dry crushed pomegranate peel pour 1 tbsp. boiling water. Put in a water bath, from the moment of boiling, cook for 20-30 minutes.
2. Cool under a lid at room temperature, drain. How to take and in what quantity should be discussed with a specialist.

Such a decoction is used to sanitize the oral cavity with stomatitis, gingivitis, swelling and bleeding of the gums, to relieve sore throat with infectious diseases of the respiratory system. The broth is taken orally for digestive disorders, diarrhea, hypo- and avitaminosis.

How to make tea:

1. 1 tbsp. l. Pour 200 ml of hot water (temperature 90-95 ° C) with chopped pomegranate peel.
2. Insist covered for 20-30 minutes, drain. Add 1 tsp if desired. natural honey, cinnamon, lemon, mint, lemon balm.

This tea relieves the condition of digestive problems, stomach ulcer or 12 duodenal ulcer. Vitamin-mineral composition has a calming effect on the nervous system, relieves stress, tones, increases endurance and working capacity.

For the treatment and prevention of worms, the infusion is prepared as follows:

1. Pour 50 g of pomegranate peels into an airtight container (thermos or a saucepan with a tight-fitting lid), pour 500 ml of boiling water.
2. Insist in a sealed closed container for 5-6 hours. Then strain through cheesecloth folded in several layers, or a colander.
3. Drink 250 ml of infusion at a time, after 30 minutes take a laxative.
4. Further, you can not eat or drink for 3 hours. After 4 hours, make an enema to remove the decay products of helminths, toxic to the human body.

To heal wounds, burns, ulcers and other injuries on the skin, dried pomegranate peels are used, ground into powder. They are poured onto the sore spot, fixed on top with gauze. Treatment is carried out daily until complete healing.

In cosmetology

Pomegranate peels are brewed and used to rinse the hair. Provided regular use, such a decoction effectively strengthens and regenerates hair, promotes its active growth. It is recommended to use pomegranate skins for seborrhea, nest baldness, to strengthen hair roots.

To prepare the broth, you will need chopped fresh or dried peels of two pomegranates and 1 liter of boiling water. Mix all the ingredients, boil for 5 minutes, leave under the lid for 1-2 hours, cool and strain. Rinse hair with broth after each wash.

Crushed pomegranate peels can replace expensive cosmetic peels. They gently exfoliate dead skin cells, even out the skin and complexion, prevent inflammation, improve blood circulation and metabolism.

Pomegranate peel as part of home masks performs several functions at the same time:

• prevents the appearance of early wrinkles;
• reduces pigmentation;
• protects against negative influences from the outside (scorching sun, cold air, wind);
• eliminates dryness and tightness;
• gives the face a matte and healthy color.

How to prepare and store crusts

The healing and beneficial properties of the peel partly depend on the quality of the pomegranate. When buying fruit in a store, market or supermarket, pay attention to the appearance:

1. Peel. In a ripe fruit, the skin is thin, slightly dried, of a uniform color (from light yellow to deep red), hard to the touch, with a glossy shine, without traces of damage or damage.
2. Weight. A good heavy pomegranate - 600-800 g. With light pressure, the crunch of ripe grains is felt.
3. Cup. Dry, open, should not be green.

The fruits begin to ripen at the end of September, so the optimal time for harvesting the peel is October-November. Buying pomegranates out of season, there is a chance of purchasing a product with a dangerous nitrate content.

It's easy to prepare the crusts:

1. Rinse the fruits thoroughly, dry, remove the peel.
2. Peel the skins from the leathery pericarp, rinse well again, remove the remaining moisture with a paper towel.
3. Put the peel on a napkin, cover with gauze on top, leave in the room until completely dry (for 5-10 days, depending on the air temperature, humidity). Turn the crusts periodically so that they dry evenly.
4. To speed up the drying process, use an oven, microwave oven, airfryer.

With the correct preparation, the peel retains its characteristic maroon color, becomes brittle to the touch, crumbles when compressed. Store the workpiece in glass sealed jars under a lid in a dry place protected from the sun. The shelf life of the workpiece is 12 months.

For reference. If brown stains appear on the skin during storage, it is unusable.

Crushed pomegranate peel is used as a medicinal raw material, therefore it is preliminarily pounded in a mortar or interrupted in a blender or coffee grinder.

Contraindications

Pomegranate peel has a minimum of contraindications for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology:

• allergy to the product;
• constipation;
• hemorrhoids and fissures in the anus;
• severe renal / hepatic impairment;
• tendency to any type of bleeding.

Due to the high degree of allergenicity, it is used with caution during pregnancy and lactation, in relation to children and adolescents, when all actions must be previously agreed with the attending physician. Simultaneous intake of a medicinal product based on pomegranate peel and antiallergic drugs is not allowed.

It is interesting:

Step-by-step guide to propagating pomegranate cuttings at home.

A beginner's guide: how to care for a potted pomegranate at home.

How to grow indoor pomegranate Bonsai.

Conclusion

The beneficial properties of pomegranate peels depend on the characteristics of the disease, the appropriateness of use, the presence of contraindications, dosage and treatment regimen. Skins have a versatile positive effect on the body: they strengthen the immune system, protect against infections, prevent diseases of the heart, blood vessels, digestive organs, stimulate the regeneration of tissues and mucous membranes.

In order to preserve the beneficial and medicinal properties of the pomegranate peel, it is important to choose high-quality and ripe fruits, properly harvest and store them.