Medlar fruit - health benefits and harms

The beneficial properties of medlar have been known since ancient times. People to this day use the fruits to get rid of ailments of various etiologies. Another name for medlar is Japanese plum, lokva. To more accurately have an idea of ​​what benefit you will derive from the consumption of fruits, we consider the main features in order. So, let's begin.

Composition and features of medlar

1. Medlar is an evergreen shrub that has thorns on twigs and is strewn with large clusters. The fruits have an acidic finish, their flesh is tender, pleasant to eat, does not knit the tongue. In terms of taste, medlar resembles a trio - ripe strawberries, banana, sweet and sour apple.
2. To date, more than 30 species of this plant are known to man. Medlar is spread all over the world and is widely cultivated in personal plots. The most popular and popular varieties of shrubs are considered Caucasian and Japanese medlar.
3. The beneficial properties of the fruits are made possible thanks to the composition of the medlar. So, it includes flavonoids, protein, phenolic compounds, some fats, carbohydrates, amygdalin.
4. The fruits are not deprived of vitamins. Among them, group B, PP, A, C. Of the mineral elements it makes sense to distinguish the following: iron, potassium, iodine, magnesium, sodium, zinc, calcium, selenium.
5. As for organic acids, medlar is rich in apple, oxalic, tartaric and citric. It contains a lot of natural saccharides, which are presented in easily digestible form. The shrub is not deprived of tannins, pectin, dietary fiber, volatile.
6. Of particular value is the bark, foliage, seed and fruits of the plant. Some folk healers say that shrub leaves are much more valuable than pulp and other parts of medlar. They argue this with the fact that unique acids are concentrated in the leaves of the medlar: prayer, Ursulic, Corosolic and others.
7. Also, foliage boasts the inclusion of plant polyphenols, glycosides, carafollin. These substances fight foreign bodies in the body. Studies were conducted in which scientists proved that foliage is able to overcome the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
8. Shrub foliage has the ability to suppress the action of free radicals and completely remove them. The green part contains triterpene, which is responsible for the synthesis of sugar and enhances the volume of insulin.
9. Pectin fights toxic compounds, salts of heavy metals, radionuclides. It acts as a brush, which carefully passes through the cavity of the internal organs. Despite the abundance of valuable properties, medlar is not very high-calorie. In a portion weighing 100 g. about 50 kcal accumulates. It all depends on the particular variety.

The benefits of medlar

1. The fruit is contraindicated for people who have high blood pressure. Medlar has a diuretic effect and thereby fights hypertension.
2. Similarly, fruits affect patients with persistent migraines and headaches. The fruit reduces intracranial pressure and improves the patient's condition.
3. Medlar is prescribed for consumption by those who are likely to develop a heart attack, stroke, coronary disease. Fruits improve the health of the heart muscle and the entire circulatory system in particular.
4. The composition contains flavonoids and phenolic compounds. Together, they prevent oxidative processes by preventing diabetes, eye diseases, and oncological ailments.
5. Medlar frees the cavity of internal organs from free radicals.The fruit is useful for people of advanced age who are at risk of developing senile dementia.
6. Fruits help cope with diarrhea and general stool disorder. They normalize the digestive processes, remove stagnation, have anthelmintic properties.
7. Medlar enhances the production of the hormone insulin, making life easier for patients with diabetes. Along with this, monitoring of blood glucose is carried out.
8. Organic acids eliminate cholesterol from the cavity of the blood channels, improve protein metabolism, and transform carbohydrates into energy. On this basis, the risk of atherosclerosis is reduced and natural weight loss occurs.
9. Medlar is used to eliminate small stones and sand in the cavity of the urinary system. The fruit is responsible for the proper functioning of the pancreas and thyroid glands.
10. Decoctions, teas, freshly squeezed juices are prepared from the plant. The listed drinks remove sputum from the cavity of the respiratory tract, facilitate the course of asthma and lower body temperature during fever.
11. Fruits strengthen the immune system during a period of viral infections, and also help to recover after a protracted illness. Medlar enhances wound healing, so lotions based on it are used for skin ailments.
12. Interestingly, unripe fruit is effective for diarrhea. Ripe specimens, in contrast, have a laxative effect and normalize bowel function. Medlar prevents the fermentation of food in the esophagus.

The benefits of medlar leaves

1. On the basis of green foliage prepare various tonics, lotions and compresses for the face. Such funds help to eliminate dermatological problems, smooth the relief and whiten the skin.
2. The broth also copes well with diarrhea. To make a drink, brew 300 ml of leaf rye. boiling water, let stand for 4 hours and strain. Drink 45-50 ml. 20 minutes before eating.
3. The infusion according to the above recipe also effectively cleanses the blood channels from cholesterol, cleanses the body of toxic substances, and helps to recover from stress and illness.
4. Elderly people need to prepare decoctions and infusions to relieve pain during osteoporosis, arthrosis and other ailments of this type.
5. The powerful effect of foliage and inflorescences of medlar encourages people to use these parts of the shrub to prepare cold remedies. It's all about the ability of medlar to disinfect and relieve inflammation.

Harm medlar

1. There are a number of limitations in which medlar is contraindicated. Her intake should be limited for pancreatitis, peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach, allergies to the fruit itself, and gastritis.
2. In order not to cause significant harm to health, start taking with small amounts. Listen to the state of the body, at the slightest sign of an allergy, stop taking it.
3. If you have any chronic diseases, use medlar after consultation with your doctor. Do not forget that the fruit can be presented in the form of dried fruits, marmalade, jam and other forms.

Despite the variety of varieties of medlar, their chemical list remains virtually unchanged. Only the appearance and taste vary. In order not to harm yourself and loved ones, observe precautions when using medlar. Then you will definitely get all the benefits.

Video: useful properties of medlar