Medicinal uses of Pomegranate (Anar)

• Pomegranate known as Anar in Hindi, is a very tasty, juicy, nutritious fruit. Pomegranate not only offers numerous health benefits but also used as natural remedy to cure variety of diseases such as sore throats, coughs, urinary infections, digestive disorders, skin disorders, arthritis, and to expel tapeworms.
• Pomegranate is tonic for the heart, throat, eyes and blood. The fruit intake improves hemoglobin level and cures anemia. It is a natural blood thinner too. Pomegranate is indicated in chronic diarrhea, dysentery, sprue, other chronic bowel complaints, tapeworms, chronic feverishness, consumption, splenic enlargement, thirst in fever, piles, sore throat, vaginal and uterine diseases (Menstrual disorders, Menorrhagia, Dysmenorrhea, Amenorrhea) and ulcers.
• Intake of pomegranate in any bleeding disorder is helpful as it improves hemoglobin level and discourages the blood loss due to its astringent action. Astringent action is also beneficial in colitis, ulcers diarrhea, indigestion and biliousness. The rind of the fruit is used as an astringent in diarrhea. The leaves, flowers, roots all are used for medicinal purpose. The juice of flower is used to treat nose bleeds. The fruit pulp and the seed are stomachic. Dried, powdered flower buds are helpful in bronchitis.

◆ General Information :

• Scientific Classification : The botanical name of Pomegranate is Punica granatum Linn. and it belongs to plant family Punicaceae. Below is given taxonomical classification of plant.

1. Kingdom : Plantae – plantes, Planta, Vegetal, plants
2. Subkingdom: Viridiplantae
3. Infrakingdom: Streptophyta – land plants
4. Superdivision: Embryophyta
5. Division: Tracheophyta – vascular plants, tracheophytes
6. Subdivision: Spermatophytina – spermatophytes, seed plants, phanérogames
7. Class: Magnoliopsida
8. Superorder: Rosanae
9. Order: Myrtales
10. Family: Lythraceae – loosestrife
11. Genus: Punica L. – pomegranate
12. Species: Punica granatum L. – pomegranate

• Part(s) used for medicinal purpose: Leaves, roots, flowers, fruits.
• Plant type: Large deciduous shrub or a small tree.
• Distribution: found growing wild in hills of Himalayas, between 900 and 1800 m and cultivated in many parts.
• Native to : Pomegranate is native to the area between the Himalayas in North India and Iran. It is widely cultivated throughout India and in the drier parts of South East Asia, the East Indies and Africa.

◆ SYNONYMS :

1. AYURVEDIC : Dadima, Dadimba, Raktapushpa, Dantabija, Raktakusuma, Lohitpushpaka.
2. UNANI: Anaar, Roomaan, Gulnaar, Gulnaar Farsi.
3. SIDDHA: Maathulai
4. SANSKRIT: Dadima, Dantabija, Lohitapushpa
5. ASSAMESE: Dalim
6. BENGALI: Dadima, Dalimgach, Dalim
7. ENGLISH: Pomenagrate
8. GUJRATI: Dadam, Dadam phala
9. HINDI: Anar, Anar-ke-per, Anar-dana (seeds)
10. KANNADA: Dalimba, Dalimbe haonu
11. MALAYALAM: Mathalam
12. MARATHI: Dalimba
13. ORIYA: Dalimba
14. PUNJABI: Anar
15. TAMIL: Madulam Pazham
16. TELUGU: Dadimbakaya, Dadimma
17. URDU: Anar

• Ayurvedic Properties and Action Of Pomegranate : Pomegranate is known as Dadim in Sanskrit. It has been used for medicinal purpose from time immemorial. In Ayurveda, the leaves, roots, flowers and fruits are used to treat bleeding disorders, diarrhea and gynecological disorders due to astringent and Hemostatic properties. The seeds and rind help to kill and expel worms, especially tape worms.

◆ FRESH FRUIT:

• Pomegranate juice slows down ageing, protects heart, promotes cardiovascular health, improves digestive system and acts as aphrodisiac.
• Constituents : Anthocyanins, glucose, ascorbic acid, ellagic acid, gallic acid, caffeic acid, catechin, quercetin, rutin and numerous minerals particularly iron, amino acids.
• Rasa (taste on tongue): Kasaya (Astringent), Madhura (Sweet), Amla (Sour)
• Guna (Pharmacological Action): Laghu (Light), Snigdha (Unctuous)
• Virya: Ushna (Heating)
• Vipaka (transformed state after digestion): Madhura (Sweet)
• Action: Kapha-har, Pitta-har, vata-har, tonic, digestive, good for heart, improves tastes, removes foul smell from mouth, Shukrala
• Indicated in: tastelessness, diarrhea, dysentery, burning sensation, fever, cough, amavata, bleeding disorders, excessive thirst.
• Recommended dose : 15-30 ml.

◆ FRUIT RIND : 

• Pomegranate fruit rind is astringent and antioxidant in nature. It is used to prepare tooth powders, toothpastes, facial care products and coughing remedies.
• Constituents : Tannic acid, Sugar and Gum.
• Rasa (taste on tongue): Kasaya (Astringent), Amla (Sour)
• Guna (Pharmacological Action): Laghu (Light), Snigdha (Unctuous)
• Virya: Anushna (not very hot)
• Vipaka (transformed state after digestion): Katu (Pungent)
• Action : Grahi, Vata and Kaphahara, wound healing.
• Indicated in : diarrhoea, dysentery, burning sensation, fever, cough, bleeding disorders, vitiation of blood, foul breath, and hyperacidity.
• Recommended dose : 3-6 grams.

◆ LEAVES : 

• Pomegranate leaves are useful in treating digestive problems, skin problems, low appetite, insomnia and certain other medical conditions.
• Constituents : Tannins (punicalin and punicafolin) and flavone glycosides including luteolin and apigenin.
• Rasa (taste on tongue): Kasaya (Astringent), Tikta (Bitter)
• Guna (Pharmacological Action): Laghu (Light)
• Virya: Sita (Cooling)
• Vipaka (transformed state after digestion): Katu (Pungent)
• Action : Dipana (increases digestive function), Kapha-har, improves taste and appetite.
• Indicated in : fever, cough, bleeding disorders, loss of taste, diarrhoea, dysentery, intestinal parasites, oral disease, and digestive weakness.
• Recommended dose: leaves juice : 5-10 ml, leaves kalka : 5-10 gram.

◆ SEEDS :

• Constituents : Sugars, Vitamin C, Sitosterol, Ursolic acid, Protein, Fat and Mineral matters, Nicotinic acid, Pectin, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Delphinidin diglycoside, Aspartic, Citric, Ellagic, Gallic and Malic acids, Glutamine, Isoquercetin, Estrone and Punicic acid.
• Rasa (taste on tongue): Madhura (Sweet), Amla (Sour)
• Guna (Pharmacological Action): Laghu (Light), Snigdha (Unctuous)
• Virya: Ushna (Heating)
• Vipaka (transformed state after digestion): Madhura (Sweet)
• Action : shukral (increases semen), Grahi (absorbant), Hridya (heart tonic), Medhya (increases intelligence), Pitta-har, vata-har, kapha-har, tonic.
• Indicated in: fever, excessive thirst, burning sensation.
• Recommended dose : 5-10 gram in powder form.

◆ Medicinal properties of Pomegranate fruits : 

1. Antioxidant:neutralize the oxidant effect of free radicals and other substances.
2. Anti-inflammatory: reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms.
3. Anti-carcinogenic: Neutralizes the effects of a cancer-causing substance.
4. Antiemetic: useful in the treatment of vomiting.
5. Astringent: Causing contraction or arresting discharges.
6. Cardiac: related to heart.
7. Diaphoretic: promote sweating.
8. Hemostatic: Checking blood flow.
9. Stomachic: stimulates gastric activity.
10. Digestive: digestant.
11. Improves fertility
12. Cooling/refrigerant and purifying.
13. Tonic: Restore or improve health or well-being.
14. Increases red blood cell production
15. Lowers acidity

◆ Food Value of fruits 100 Grams of edible portion :
(Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)
Principle Nutrient : Value : Percentage of RDA

1. Energy 83 Kcal 4%
2. Carbohydrates 18.70 g 14%
3. Protein 1.67 g 3%
4. Total Fat 1.17 g 6%
5. Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
6. Dietary Fiber 4 g 11%
7. Vitamins
8. Folates 38 µg 9.5%
9. Niacin 0.293 mg 2%
10. Pantothenic acid 0.135 mg 3%
11. Pyridoxine 0.075 mg 6%
12. Riboflavin 0.053 mg 4%
13. Thiamin 0.067 mg 5.5%
14. Vitamin A 0 IU 0%
15. Vitamin C 10.2 mg 17%
16. Vitamin E 0.60 mg 4%
17. Vitamin K 16.4 µg 14%
18. Electrolytes
19. Sodium 3 mg 0%
20. Potassium 236 mg 5%
21. Minerals
22. Calcium 10 mg 1%
23. Copper 0.158 mg 18%
24. Iron 0.30 mg 4%
25. Magnesium 12 mg 3%
26. Manganese 0.119 mg 5%
27. Phosphorus 36 mg 5%
28. Selenium 0.5 µg 1%
29. Zinc 0.35 mg 3%

◆ Health Benefits of Pomegranate Fruits :

• Pomegranate fruits are useful in anemia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia and heartburn. Eating sweet fresh pomegranate purifies body and cleanses mouth. Eating one pomegranate daily is adequate. Excess eating can cause constipation. It is safe to take pomegranate fresh fruit or juice during pregnancy. But pregnant women should not take pomegranate extract because it may contain fruit rind which may act as natural stimulant to encourage the uterus to contract and cause early labor.

1. Cardiovascular benefits : Modern researches done on this juicy fruit shows that regular eating of pomegranate as a part of diet can be helpful in preventing diseases of heart. It reduces plaque in the arteries and bad cholesterol. It has blood thinning properties. It increases blood flow to the heart and reduces blood pressure. Intake of pomegranate juice decreases the risk of heart attack and heart strokes. 
2. Tonic : Pomegranate is tonic for whole body. It is full of nutrition and vitamins. Chewing pomegranate improves taste and cleanses the colon. It also improves digestion.
3. Anti-cancer effects : Pomegranate is rich in flavonoids. Flavonoids are antioxidants are found to be effective in counteracting various cancer radials.
4. Cures Anemia : Regular eating of pomegranate keeps the hemoglobin normal.
5. Neuro-protective Activity : Pomegranate exhibited significant neuroprotective property in stress-induced neurodegenereation like Alzheimer’s disease. It triggers the inhibition of AchE, causes prolong half-life of acetylcholine which known to be useful in treating cognitive decline, improving memory or related CNS activity.
6. Balances estrogen level : Pomegranate intake is helpful in balancing estrogen level.
7. Pomegranate juice shows beneficial effects in diarrhea, dyspepsia, biliousness, inflammations of the stomach, palpitation, excessive thirst and fevers.

◆ Medicinal Uses of Pomegranate : 

• Pomegranate is carminative, antacid, anti-diarrheal, estrogenic, hemostatic, tonic, nutritive, anti-oxidant, and aphrodisiac. Pomegranate fruit cures excessive acidity/pitta. It gives strength to heart and improves its function. It is beneficial in any type of bleeding disorder.

1. Atisaar(diarrhoea) : For diarrhoea, the root-bark or dried fruit rind powder is given in dose of 3-6 gram with honey daily.
2. Bleeding piles : Daily eat pomegranate fruit or drink its juice.
3. Bleeding diarrhoea : Take dried fruit rind powder with honey 2-3 grams with honey.
4. Bleeding disorders : Regularly eat pomegranate.
5. Gynecological disorders : Prepare decoction of pomegranate leaves and rose flower and drink (15-30ml).
6. Indigestion, tastelessness : Pomegranate juice added with black salt and roasted jeera/cumin seed powder is indicated. For tastelessness, hold juice in month for some time.
7. Improving hemoglobin level/iron level, cleaning the colon
8. Eat pomegranate fruit or drink one cup fresh pomegranate juice squeezed with one lemon juice.
9. Cough : Take few flower buds of pomegranate tree, 2-3 basil leaves and black pepper and boil in water and drink.
10. Insomnia : Take 20 grams fresh leaves of pomegranate and boil in 400 ml of water. When water reduces to 100 ml decoction is ready, filter and drink water.
11. Bronchitis : Take Dried Pomegranate seeds 100 grams, 50 gm each of dry ginger/sonth, black pepper, long pepper/Pippali, dalchini/cinnamon, ela/cardamom, grind to make powder or churna and mix sugar candy. Take this churna with honey 2 times in 2-3 grams quantity.
12. Vomiting : Give lukewarm juice of Pomegranate.
13. Jaundice : Take fresh pomegranate leaves and dry in shade and make a powder by grinding. Take 6 grams of powder in the morning with buttermilk and in evening with water.
14. Pregnancy : Drink juice of fresh pomegranate fruit or eat to improve hemoglobin. This also cures weakness, nausea.
15. Eczema : Apply fresh juice of leaves at affected area.
16. It is very important to prepare pomegranate juice hygienically because the risk of contamination is quiet high. Drinking contaminated juice can harm health rather than giving any benefit.

◆ References :

• Das AK, Mandal SC, Banerjee SK, Sinha S, Das J, Saha BP, Pal M. Studies on antidiarrhoeal activity of Punica granatum seed extract in rats.
• Khan S.A. 2009. The role of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in colon cancer. Pak. J. Pharm. Sci.
• Chaturvedula Venkata Sai Prakash, Indraprakash. Bio active chemical constituents from pomegranate (Punica granatum) juice, seed and peel – A review. International Journal of Research in Chemistry and Environment.
• Rout S, Banerjee R. Free radical scavenging, anti‐ glycation and tyrosinase inhibition property s of a polysaccharide fraction isolated from the rind from Punica granatum.