Also known as the ‘red jewel of paradise’ and seeded apple, this globular fruit with a crown and thick skin is full of more or less 800 delicious juicy seeds. Its juice is sweet-tart in flavour.

The thick skin of the pomegranate helps it remain fresh for a long time. There are approximately 65 to 70 calories in an average-sized pomegranate. It is a rich source of iron, vitamin C, potassium, riboflavin, Niacin and thiamin.

Its high reputation both as a nutritious and medicinal food since ancient times makes it one of the most beneficial gifts of God. Historians regard pomegranate as ‘one of the earliest cultivated fruits’. Its presence is evident in old civilizations more than 4,000 years ago. At that time high-quality pomegranates were grown in Iran, Egypt, Iraq (in the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon), Lebanon and Palestine. It was later grown in India (the Indus River valley), China and other countries the world over.

From primordial times pomegranate has mystical and sacred values. In primitive literature it is an icon of love, fecundity, perpetual life, prosperity and good health. It is praised in holy books. In Greek mythology it was linked with the cycle of summer and winter. Aristotle’s student Theophrastus, who was a philosopher, wrote about the qualities of pomegranate in his book long before the Christian epoch.

In China it is a symbol of fertility and is offered to brides during marriage ceremonies. In India it is a part of several festivals. In East China people make medicinal herbs from its rind to cure stomach aches. They also grow it in pots for making bonsais. In Egypt when people died they were said to be buried with pomegranates.

Pomegranate (new research) has the power to eliminate harmful effects of those particles in the human body which are produced by industrial residues and chemicals, cause cancer (lung, skin and prostate) and heart diseases because its juice has more antioxidants in comparison to other juices. Antioxidants are natural substances that fight against chronic illnesses.

Its juice and rind has been used for centuries to cure stomach disorders, intestinal worms, poor appetite, kidney problems, ulcer, weak gums, etc. It is an ideal anti-aging fruit and relieves from stress and nervous tension. It helps in controlling blood pressure, reducing bad cholesterol and prevents heart strokes. One of its constituents is Ellagic acid which heals wounds.