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Pomegranate
Punica granatum, SHI LIU
The pomegranate, shi liu (stone
pomegranate) is also called an shi liu (peaceful pomegranate) and zhen zhu
shi liu (pearl pomegranate). It is a shrub or tree growing 2-5 meter.
The fruit is ball shaped with a diameter of 50-100 mm. The surface is glossy
and smooth, the color changing from yellow to red as it ripens during the
summer and autumn.
The skin is thick and inside is a thin membrane whose flavor is bitter and
astringent. Inside are many seeds, angular and irregular in shape. Each seed
is covered with a layer of bright juicy flesh (the outer skin of the seed)
whose flavor is sweet or acid-sweet.
The nature of the seed is cool. It has no poison. The seed can cool fevers,
counteract poisoning, moisten the lungs and relieve coughing.
The flavor of the skin is acid and astringent, its nature warm. It contains
poison. It acts as an astringent and can kill parasites.
The fruit contains tannin, carbohydrate, malic acid, citric acid, protein,
vitamin C, fat, etc. The skin contains alkaloids, tannin, resin, etc.
APPLICATIONS
1. THROAT INFLAMMATION; TONSILLITIS; SORE MOUTH (APTHA). Take 1-2 pieces of
fresh fruit, discard the skins and obtain the seeds. Crush them, add water
and simmer, then strain to obtain the liquid. Let this cool then use it as a
mouth wash.
2. VOICE HOARSE, THROAT DRY. Take 1-2 pieces of fresh fruit, discard the
skin and obtain the seeds. Slowly chew and spit out the stones. Do this two
or three times a day.
3. PERSISTENT COUGH. Take 1 piece of not fully ripe fresh fruit. Every
evening before bed chew the seeds (and spit them out).
4. INTERNAL PARASITES IN CHILDREN. Take 3 grams of fruit skin, 3 grams of
betel nut (Areca catechu) and steam in water. Divide into two doses and
serve in the course of a day. Do this for five successive days.
5. PERSISTENT DIARRHOEA AND DYSENTERY. Take 1 piece of fresh fruit,
including the skin, and crush. Add a little table salt, Steam in water and
serve. Do this 3 times a day.
6. TINEA ON HANDS OR FEET; IMPETIGO IN CHILDREN; ECZEMA. Take 60-150 grams
of fruit skin, add water and simmer until it thickens. Apply and wash the
affected place several times a day.
7. PADDY FIELD DERMATITIS. Take
150 grams of fruit skin, add water and simmer until a concentrated liquid
can be obtained. Use this to soak and wash the affected parts. Alternatively
simmer until the liquid becomes a paste-like consistency, and rub on the
feet as a prevention.
NOTES
The fruit skin and the roots both
contain a certain amount of poison, and this must be remembered when
preparing this fruit.
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