Pomegranates are a common fruit in our daily lives, and most people have tasted them. But what do you do with the pomegranate peel when eating? Most likely, you toss it away as trash. In reality, pomegranate peel possesses remarkable benefits and efficacy. Just how powerful are they? Today, we'll explore its medicinal value and introduce its various uses. Let's dive in.
The Benefits of Pomegranate Peels
When eating pomegranates, nine and a half out of ten people toss the peels away immediately, while the remaining half simply have nowhere to dispose of them. However, after learning about the benefits of pomegranate peels, you'll likely find yourself reluctant to discard them. Why is that? Let's explore the reasons.
1. Antibacterial Effects
Pomegranate peel exhibits inhibitory effects on various pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli, Proteus spp.,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Neisseria meningitidis, Helicobacter pylori, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and various Shigella species. Its strongest inhibitory effect is against Salmonella typhi and Shigella sonnei. Pomegranate peel water extracts also inhibit multiple pathogenic fungi to varying degrees.
2. Antiviral Effects
Pomegranate peel tannins are the active component against genital herpes virus. They not only inhibit viral replication within cells but also directly kill viruses and prevent their attachment to cells. Pomegranate peel decoction inhibits influenza virus strain A(H1N1). Pomegranate peel water extract exhibits in vitro inactivation of HBV.
3. Anthelmintic Effects
Pomegranate peel decoction exhibits anthelmintic properties. It contains various pectin alkaloids, including pomegranate peel alkaloid, which can cause muscle contraction in parasites.
4. Other Effects
Pomegranate bark alkaloids stimulate the spinal cord of warm-blooded animals, causing convulsions. High doses can paralyze motor nerve endings, ultimately leading to death from respiratory center paralysis. Pomegranate bark tannins aid in wound healing or protect local areas from irritation.A compound in pomegranate peel methanol extract inhibits carbonic anhydrase activity in bovine erythrocytes. Pomegranate peel powder reduces conception rates in female rats.
5. Toxicity
The oral LD50 of pomegranate peel aqueous extract in rats is 4.785 g/kg; the intraperitoneal LD50 in mice is 799.9 g/kg. Reproductive toxicity studies showed no mutagenic or teratogenic effects.
6. Hemostasis
Dried and ground pomegranate peel exhibits excellent hemostatic effects. When steeped in water for eye washing, it also improves vision clarity.
7. Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Pomegranate peel possesses antioxidant properties that delay aging in humans. Consequently, it helps prevent cardiovascular diseases.
8. Antidiarrheal
Pomegranate peel constricts intestinal mucosa and reduces secretions, effectively treating diarrhea and dysentery.
Pomegranate Peel: Indications and Effects
1.Intestinal Astringent & Diarrhea Relief
Take 1000g fresh pomegranate peel or 500g dried peel. Wash thoroughly and decoct twice with water, each time for 30 minutes. Strain out residue and combine both decoctions. Simmer over low heat until thickened into a paste. Add 300g honey, stir until boiling, then remove from heat. Cool completely before bottling for storage.This paste treats chronic diarrhea, dysentery, enteritis, bacterial dysentery, and diarrhea from indigestion. Take 10 ml orally 2-3 times daily with warm water. Not suitable for chronic gastritis patients.
2. Expelling Roundworms and Relieving Pain
For abdominal pain caused by roundworms, grind equal parts of this herb and betel nut into powder and take with water.
4. Astringent and Anti-Diarrheal
Combine 60g pomegranate peel and 60g eggplant root. First burn the eggplant root to ash (preserving its properties), then grind into powder. Finely grind the pomegranate peel. Mix both powders thoroughly. Take 9g per dose with brown sugar water. This formula is suitable for chronic dysentery resistant to treatment. Avoid during acute bacterial dysentery.