On the slopes of the mountains and the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, there is a small evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. This loquat - useful properties and contra-indications of this plant have long been studied by folk physicians. For the preparation of medicinal preparations, not only juicy and delicious fruits of the tree, but also its bones, as well as fragrant leaves are used.
Useful properties of fruit medlar
In terms of chemical composition, the part of the plant in question is close to apples. Fruits medlars contain many vitamins - A, C, B1, B2, B3 (PP), B6 and B9. They are also rich in macro- and microelements:
- iron;
- copper;
- sodium;
- manganese;
- selenium;
- magnesium;
- zinc;
- potassium;
- phosphorus;
- calcium.
At a rather high content of organic acids, sugars, carbohydrates, medlar is low in calories (46 kcal per 100 g of pulp).
Valuable properties due to the specified composition:
- astringent;
- anesthetizing;
- diuretic;
- immunostimulating;
- antineoplastic;
- antisclerotic;
- expectorant;
- anti-inflammatory;
- restorative;
- hypotensive;
- detoxification.
Healing properties of leaves medlars
In addition to the previously listed substances contained in the fruit of the tree, its leaves are rich in vitamin C. Thanks to this, the described part of the plant is also widely used in medical practice.
Teas, infusions or decoctions with leaves medlars have the following effects on the body:
- stop bleeding;
- relief of the symptoms of respiratory system diseases;
- dissolution and excretion of kidney stones;
- improvement of digestive processes;
- purgation;
- relief of colds, flu, sore throats;
- wound healing.
Moreover, the preparations based on the leaves of the tree in question are effective for the treatment of diabetes mellitus . They contain special chemicals, polysaccharides and triterpenes, which help normalize the absorption of glucose and produce a sufficient amount of insulin.
Useful properties of the bones medlars
Seeds located inside the fruit of the plant are usually used to prepare medicinal products together with the leaves of the medlar. Alcohol tinctures based on this plant raw material allow successfully stopping asthma attacks and chronic bronchitis , relieve spasms and facilitate coughing up of phlegm.
Also, unripe fruits medlars with bones are used in therapy of urolithiasis. Preparations from them contribute to the rapid dissolution of calculi in the kidneys, their natural and painless excretion, prevent the onset of inflammatory processes in the urinary tract.
Side effects of a useful medlar and its contraindications
There are not too many diseases in which you absolutely can not use medlar. In fact, it is contraindicated only in case of allergic reactions to any part of this tree.
Immature fruit is undesirable to apply in the treatment of people suffering from acute diseases of the digestive system, high acidity of the stomach, ulcer pathologies, inflammation of the pancreas. Although a ripe medlar, jam or jam from it is not contraindicated in these cases.
Medlar for pregnant women and contraindications
This fruit is almost indispensable for a future mother. The use of medlar helps to replenish the supplies of vitamins and the necessary micro- and macro elements, especially iron, in the body of a pregnant woman.
As for contraindications, they are identical to the pathologies listed in the previous paragraph. If the future mother is inclined to allergy to the medlar, or suffers from pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, it is better to exclude this fruit from the diet.