The magick of the Pomegranate

The pomegranate is native to the region of Persia and the western Himalayan range, and has been cultivated in Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Northern India, Russia, and the Mediterranean region for several millennia.

Carbonized exocarp of the fruit has been identified in Early Bronze Age levels of Jericho in Israel, as well as Late Bronze Age levels of Hala Sultan Tekke on Cyprus and Tiryns. A large, dry pomegranate was found in the tomb of Djehuty, the butler of Queen Hatshepsut in Egypt; Mesopotamian cuneiform records mention pomegranates from the mid-Third millennium BC onwards.

It is also extensively grown in South China and in Southeast Asia, whether originally spread along the route of the Silk Road or brought by sea traders. Kandahar is famous in Afghanistan for its high quality pomegranates.

Although not native to Korea or Japan, the pomegranate is widely grown there and many cultivars have been developed. It is widely used for bonsai because of its flowers and for the unusual twisted bark that older specimens can attain. The term "balaustine" (Latin: balaustinus) is also used for a pomegranate-red color.

The ancient city of Granada in Spain was renamed after the fruit during the Moorish period. Spanish colonists later introduced the fruit to the Caribbean and Latin America, but in the English colonies it was less at home: "Don't use the pomegranate inhospitably, a stranger that has come so far to pay his respects to thee," the English Quaker Peter Collinson wrote to the botanizing John Bartram in Philadelphia, 1762. "Plant it against the side of thy house, nail it close to the wall. In this manner it thrives wonderfully with us, and flowers beautifully, and bears fruit this hot year. I have twenty-four on one tree... Doctor Fothergill says, of all trees this is most salutiferous to mankind." The pomegranate had been introduced as an exotic to England the previous century, by John Tradescant the elder, but the disappointment that it did not set fruit there led to its repeated introduction to the American colonies, even New England. It succeeded in the South: Bartram received a barrel of pomegranates and oranges from a correspondent in Charleston, South Carolina, 1764. Thomas Jefferson planted pomegranates at Monticello in 1771: he had them from George Wythe of Williamsburg.

Culinary use

Pomegranate fruit, opened

Pomegranate arils

A bowl of ash-e anar, a Persian soup made with pomegranate juice

After opening the pomegranate by scoring it with a knife and breaking it open, the arils (seed casings) are separated from the peel and internal white pulp membranes. Separating the red arils is easier in a bowl of water, because the arils sink and the inedible pulp floats. Freezing the entire fruit also makes it easier to separate. Another very effective way of quickly harvesting the arils is to cut the pomegranate in half, score each half of the exterior rind four to six times, hold the pomegranate half over a bowl and smack the rind with a large spoon. The arils should eject from the pomegranate directly into the bowl, leaving only a dozen or more deeply embedded arils to remove.

The entire seed is consumed raw, though the watery, tasty aril is the desired part. The taste differs depending on the subspecies of pomegranate and its ripeness. The pomegranate juice can be very sweet or sour, but most fruits are moderate in taste, with sour notes from the acidic tannins contained in the aril juice. Pomegranate juice has long been a popular drink in Persian and Indian cuisine, and began to be widely distributed in the United States and Canada in 2002.

Grenadine syrup is thickened and sweetened pomegranate juice used in cocktail mixing. Before tomatoes (a New World fruit) arrived in the Middle East, grenadine was widely used in many Iranian foods, and is still found in traditional recipes such as fesenjān, a thick sauce made from pomegranate juice and ground walnuts, usually spooned over duck or other poultry and rice, and in ash-e anar (pomegranate soup).

Wild pomegranate seeds are used as a spice known as anardana (from Persian: anar+dana, pomegranate+seed), most notably in Indian and Pakistani cuisine, but also as a substitute for pomegranate syrup in Persian cuisine. Dried whole arils can often be obtained in ethnic Indian subcontinent markets. These seeds are separated from the flesh, dried for 10–15 days and used as an acidic agent for chutney and curry preparation. Ground anardana is also used, which results in a deeper flavoring in dishes and prevents the seeds from getting stuck in teeth. Seeds of the wild pomegranate variety known as daru from the Himalayas are regarded as quality sources for this spice.

Dried pomegranate arils, found in some natural specialty food markets, still contain the seed and residual aril water, maintaining a natural sweet and tart flavor. Dried arils can be used in several culinary applications, such as trail mix, granola bars, or as a topping for salad, yogurt, or ice cream. Chocolate covered arils, also available in gourmet food stores like Trader Joes, may be added to desserts and baked items.

Pomegranates, though delicious and extremely good for you, require a little bit of savvy to crack open and juice. The easiest way to do it, without making your kitchen look like something out of a horror film, is to slice off the top end (the part that looks like a crown), then make several shallow cuts from north to south. Once you've made the cuts, immerse the whole pomegranate in a bowl of water, and gently break the sections apart. Using your fingers, pull the red seeds away from the white pith. Discard everything that floats (pith and peel float; seeds sink), and drain the seeds in a colander.
The seeds are great as a garnish, or, you can make juice by putting the seeds in a blender, and then straining the resulting liquid through a sieve or cheesecloth. One pomegranate should yield about half a cup of juice. To make pomegranate molasses, bring the juice to a boil on the stovetop and simmer until thickened to the desired consistency.

Green salad with roast beef, pomegranate vinaigrette, and lemon juice

Making pomegranate juice at a stall in Turkey

In the Caucasus, pomegranate is used mainly as juice. In Azerbaijan a sauce from pomegranate juice (narsharab) is usually served with fish or tika kabab. In Turkey, pomegranate sauce, (Turkish: nar ekşisi) is used as a salad dressing, to marinate meat, or simply to drink straight. Pomegranate seeds are also used in salads and sometimes as garnish for desserts such as güllaç. Pomegranate syrup or molasses is used in muhammara, a roasted red pepper, walnut, and garlic spread popular in Syria and Turkey.

In Greece, pomegranate (Greek: ρόδι, rodi) is used in many recipes, including kollivozoumi, a creamy broth made from boiled wheat, pomegranates and raisins, legume salad with wheat and pomegranate, traditional Middle Eastern lamb kebabs with pomegranate glaze, pomegranate eggplant relish, and avocado-pomegranate dip. Pomegranate is also made into a liqueur and popular fruit confectionery used as ice cream topping or mixed with yogurt or spread as jam on toast. In Cyprus as well as in Greece and among the Greek Orthodox Diaspora, ρόδι is used to make kolliva, a mixture of wheat, pomegranate seeds, sugar, almonds and other seeds served at memorial services.

In Ayurvedic medicine

Pomegranate flower

Pomegranate flower

In the Indian subcontinent's ancient Ayurveda system of medicine, the pomegranate has extensively been used as a source of traditional remedies for thousands of years.

The rind of the fruit and the bark of the pomegranate tree is used as a traditional remedy against diarrhea, dysentery and intestinal parasites. The seeds and juice are considered a tonic for the heart and throat, and classified as a bitter-astringent (pitta or fire) component under the Ayurvedic system, and considered a healthful counterbalance to a diet high in sweet-fatty (kapha or earth) components. The astringent qualities of the flower juice, rind and tree bark are considered valuable for a variety of purposes, such as stopping nose bleeds and gum bleeds, toning skin, (after blending with mustard oil) firming-up sagging breasts and treating hemorrhoids. Pomegranate juice (of specific fruit strains) is also used as eyedrops as it is believed to slow the development of cataracts.

Ayurveda differentiates between pomegranate varieties and employs them for different remedies.

Pomegranate sepals and drying stamens after fertilization and petal fall

Pomegranate aril juice provides about 16% of an adult's daily vitamin C requirement per 100 ml serving, and is a good source of vitamin B₅ (pantothenic acid), potassium and polyphenols, such as tannins and flavonoids.

Pomegranates are listed as high-fiber in some charts of nutritional value. That fiber, however, is entirely contained in the edible seeds which also supply unsaturated oils. People who choose to discard the seeds forfeit nutritional benefits conveyed by the seed fiber, oils and micronutrients.

The most abundant polyphenols in pomegranate juice are the hydrolyzable tannins called ellagitannins formed when ellagic acid binds with a carbohydrate. Punicalagins are tannins with free-radical scavenging properties in laboratory experiments and with potential human effects. Punicalagins are absorbed into the human body and may have dietary value as antioxidants, but conclusive proof of efficacy in humans has not yet been shown.During intestinal metabolism by bacteria, ellagitannins and punicalagins are converted to urolithins which have unknown biological activity in vivo.

Other phytochemicals include polyphenolic catechins, gallocatechins, and anthocyanins, such as prodelphinidins, delphinidin, cyanidin, and pelargonidin. The ORAC (antioxidant capacity) of pomegranate juice was measured at 2,860 units per 100 grams.

Many food and dietary supplement makers use pomegranate phenolic extracts as ingredients in their products instead of the juice. One of these extracts is ellagic acid, which may become bioavailable only after parent molecule punicalagins are metabolized. However, ingested ellagic acid from pomegranate juice does not accumulate in the blood in significant quantities and is rapidly excreted. Accordingly, ellagic acid from pomegranate juice does not appear to be biologically important in vivo.

Potential health benefits

In preliminary laboratory research and clinical trials, juice of the pomegranate may be effective in reducing heart disease risk factors, including LDL oxidation, macrophage oxidative status, and foam cell formation. In an article published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2000, researchers detailed an experiment in which healthy adult men and unhealthy mice consumed pomegranate juice daily. After two weeks, the healthy men experienced increased antioxidant levels, which resulted in a ninety percent drop in LDL cholestoral oxidation. In the mice, "oxidation of LDL by peritoneal macrophages was reduced by up to 90% after pomegranate juice consumption...".

In a limited study of hypertensive patients, consumption of pomegranate juice for two weeks was shown to reduce systolic blood pressure by inhibiting serum angiotensin-converting enzyme. Juice consumption may also inhibit viral infections while pomegranate extracts have antibacterial effects against dental plaque.

Despite limited research data, manufacturers and marketers of pomegranate juice have liberally used evolving research results for product promotion, especially for putative antioxidant health benefits. In February 2010, the FDA issued a Warning Letter to one such manufacturer, POM Wonderful, for using published literature to make illegal claims of unproven antioxidant and anti-disease benefits.

Clinical trial rationale and activity

Metabolites of pomegranate juice ellagitannins localize specifically in the prostate gland, colon, and intestinal tissues of mice, leading to clinical studies of pomegranate juice or fruit extracts for efficacy against several diseases.

In 2011, 32 clinical trials were registered with the National Institutes of Health to examine effects of pomegranate extracts or juice consumption on a list of diseases; consumption of pomegranates and pomegranate juice appear to correlate with preventing such diseases.

• prostate cancer
• prostatic hyperplasia
• diabetes
• lymphoma
• rhinovirus infection (completed, July 2008)
• common cold (completed, June, 2007)
• oxidative stress in diabetic hemodialysis
• atherosclerosis
• coronary artery disease
• infant brain injury
• hemodialysis for kidney disease

What are the Benefits of Pomegranate?

Pomegranate has been consumed for thousands of years due to its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and other healing properties. Women have used Pomegranate for centuries for beauty concerns including wrinkles, acne, dry and saggy skin. Many studies have also shown that pomegranate may help with heart disease, arteriosclerosis, blood clots, weakened immune system, viral infections, dental plaque, erectile dysfunction and prostate and breast cancer. A few recent studies suggest that regular use of Pomegranate extract may slow the spread of tumors and cancerous cells.

Uses of Pomegranate

Cancer

It is believed that the anti-oxidant activity in Pomegranate may induce apoptosis, a process which causes self destruction of cancerous cells. While a few studies have shown encouraging results in the treatment of cancer, further studies are still required to confirm these results. Nevertheless, in people with a family history of cancer, daily intake of at least 8 oz. of organic Pomegranate juice or a Pomegranate extract or oil capsule twice daily may help suppress the development of cancerous cells.

Cold and Flu

The high amount of vitamin C in Pomegranate may help with flu and cold symptoms. Simply drink 1 to 2 glasses of pure Pomegranate juice diluted in one litre of water throughout the day.

Coronary Heart Disease

A few studies suggest that Pomegranate may expedite the oxygen supply to the heart muscles and help treat many heart conditions including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and coronary heart disease. The anti-platelet activity of Pomegranate is also known to help with arterial plaque and blood clots. Therefore, simply drinking 8 oz. of organic Pomegranate Juice daily for at least three months may provide significant improvement in heart health.

Dental Plaque and Gingivitis

The antioxidant activity of Pomegranate juice may prevent and remove dental plaque and restore optimal gum health. Therefore a simple remedy for plaque and gingivitis is to use organic Pomegranate juice as a mouth wash or chew on one tablespoon of pomegranate seeds after every meal.

Erectile Dysfunction

Pomegranate may help with erectile dysfunction by increasing and balancing the blood flow to the heart and subsequently to the rest of the body. Simply drink a glass of organic Pomegranate Juice or take one capsule of Pomegranate extract daily as a natural remedy for erectile dysfunction.

Osteoarthritis

Pomegranate is rich in potassium and polyphenols which may help with the restoration of cartilage in joints. Therefore, drinking a glass of organic Pomegranate juice or eating one whole Pomegranate daily can inhibit the onset of Osteoarthritis.

PMS and Menopausal Problems

Pomegranate is believed to help balance the estrogen level in women. Therefore, daily intake of a glass of pomegranate juice or a capsule of Pomegranate extract can help combat PMS and menopausal problems.

Wrinkles and Saggy Skin

The anti-oxidant properties of Pomegranate may contribute to the regeneration of skin cells and reverse the signs of aging such wrinkles and saggy skin. Drinking a glass of Pomegranate juice or eating a Pomegranate daily can reduce wrinkles and give a rosy glow to the skin. Pomegranate juice can also be applied directly to the affected skin for half an hour before a shower for a healthy and rejuvenated look. Pomegranate oil can also be mixed into your daily moisturizer to help maintain younger, healthy looking skin.

What are the Side Effects of Pomegranate?

Pomegranate is normally a safe fruit to eat when consumed in moderation. However, an overdose of Pomegranate seeds, its juice, oil or extract may cause diarrhea or upset stomach. In rare cases, some individuals can be allergic to the fruit. If you notice any sort of itchiness, swollen lips or tongue, or difficulty in swallowing or breathing, you should discontinue use and to consult your physician immediately.

Where and How to Buy Pomegranate

Fresh pomegranate fruit and packaged pomegrante juice can be bought at many grocery stores. When buying Pomegranate Juice, it is recommended to look for 100% pure organic Pomegranate juice with no added sugars. You can also find Pomegranate Oil and extract at many herbal food stores

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomegranate

http://www.homeremediesweb.com/pomegranate-health-benefits.php

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes-and-cooking/what-to-do-with-pomegranates/index.html