Medicinal properties of pomegranate peel

At present we are aware of the importance of the consumption of fruits and vegetables in our daily diet. It is recommended the intake of five servings a day of these foods, since they provide us with essential nutrients that our body needs to perform various types of functions and that, without these nutrients, we could suffer a wide variety of diseases and alterations in our body.

But, in addition to the importance of consuming fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, we can also take advantage of another part of these products that at first may seem unhelpful and that we throw away without thinking. Surely you have heard that, if possible, it is better to take the skin of fruits and vegetables because it also contains properties, instead of discarding it. But there are certain cases, such as orange, kiwi, banana or pomegranate, which is not possible. Even so, you can also take advantage of the skin of the latter to help your body. In we tell you the medicinal properties of the pomegranate shell.

What is pomegranate and what is it for?

Although not a fruit that we usually consume in our day to day, such as apple or banana, surely you have seen it many times. With a hard shell, inside it are a large number of small red seeds (very similar to the corn kernels we use in salads), separated by very thin yellow membranes and a part of juice.

Including it in the daily diet brings many benefits to our body. Being a fruit, it contains a large number of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals that help the proper functioning of our body. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, so it helps fight certain diseases and increase defenses. Thanks to its high antioxidant content, it intervenes in the delay of cellular aging and, therefore, in the appearance of wrinkles and problems in the skin, keeping it hydrated. It also helps in the treatment of diseases of the digestive system such as diarrhea and colic.

But not only the consumption of the seeds it contains is good for health. Its shell, always discarded, also contains properties that benefit our well-being.

Healing properties of pomegranate peel

Like the seeds it has inside, the shell of the pomegranate also has great medicinal properties, such as the following:

• Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties: so, its use is very common to help fight diseases such as arthritis and osteoarthritis, or more acute pathologies such as a cold or flu, relieving some symptoms such as cough or throat inflammation.
• Increases defenses: the shell of the pomegranate also has the ability to improve our immune system, so it is highly recommended to consume it, especially if we are sick.
• Antioxidant properties: we must add, as in the case of its content, its high concentration of antioxidants in the peel. These helps maintain well-hydrated skin, with less tendency to crack and age.
• It helps absorb calcium: on the other hand, it should be mentioned that pomegranate peel helps in the absorption of calcium, so our bones are benefited.
• Relieves diarrhea: it is also very important to take into account its great benefits when we suffer from diarrhea, as it helps to cut it and improve our intestinal transit.

You will find more information in this other article about What are the properties of the pomegranate.

How to prepare pomegranate peel for consumption

Although it seems complicated to prepare the peel to consume it, it is very simple. There are two ways to benefit from its medicinal properties: in tea and in powder.

Pomegranate tea

First of all, you can prepare a pomegranate peel tea.

1. First, wash the peel well and put it in a saucepan with 300 ml of water.
2. Bring the water to a boil, keeping it for 10 minutes.
3. When they have passed, turn off the heat, wait for it to rest a little and use a strainer so that there is no piece of shell in the tea.
4. To get a pleasant taste, we recommend that you use a splash of orange juice or the pomegranate seeds themselves or even a little honey.
5. You can take this infusion once a day, better in the evening.

How to dry pomegranate peel

Another way, to not directly consume the peel, but to be able to use it topically for the skin, adding it to your creams or your exfoliating gels or homemade masks, is to dry it out.

1. Put to dry the pomegranate shell in a safe place, where the sun gives it slightly, but not too much, otherwise its properties could be lost.
2. When it has lost all the water, you should crush it in a mortar until you get a very fine powder.
3. Then you can incorporate it into your cosmetics or the preparation of homemade masks.
4. Always put a pinch, so that the properties of the product to which you add it are also maintained.

Now that you know what the medicinal properties of pomegranate peel are, you may find the following article on How to Peel a Pomegranate useful.