Pomegranate Leaves vs Flower vs Fruit: Which Has the Most Health Benefits? 

Pomegranate Fruit

When one hears about pomegranate, one immediately thinks about the juicy red fruit with juicy seeds. Pomegranate is considered as a refreshing snack and has been a part of our lives in many ways growing up in India. But little did you know that it is not only the fruit that is health carrying? The pomegranate tree also contains good stuff in their leaves and the flowers.

As a matter of fact, pomegranate has always been viewed as a health giving fruit in typical Indian families. Whenever we suffered stomach ailments, my grandmother used to provide us with pomegranate seeds, as well as in some cases boil its leaves to make a herbal tea. I used to think very little of it then but in the present time it is also the modern research that confirms much of these practices which are a part of the tradition.

Now the great question is, which of the three,-the leaves, flowers and fruit of the pomegranate tree, are the most beneficial to health? So how does it work? In simple terms, let us break it down. 

Pomegranate Fruit The King Of Antioxidants  

Pomegranate Fruit

Pomegranate fruit is undoubtedly one of the healthiest things most of us are, in fact, well aware of.

Highly nutritious: The fruit contains a very high level of vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber and minerals such as potassium.

Heart-friendly: It is believed pomegranate juice can help the heart because of the faster circulation of blood. 

Good digestion: Pomegranate seeds are consumed after meals in order to facilitate digestion in many Indian households. 

Enhances immunity: Pomegranate contains high quantities of antioxidants which are known to boost immune system and guard against infection. 

Among the personal experiences I have is the people consuming fresh pomegranate juice during exams in college. According to my Grandmother  it helps in maintaining the sharp mind and creating an energetic body. In hindsight, she was correct, pomegranate juice does actually make you feel invigorated and alive.

Therefore, regarding the day-to-day food and energy, the fruit obviously comes on top.

Pomegranate Leaves - Little And Powerful

Pomegranate Leaves

 

Enough of that, however; here is something less popularly known, the pomegranate leaves. They do not appear much special, yet has a lot of medicinal worth. 

Diabetes: Research indicates that pomegranate leaf extract may also be used in the control of diabetes by lowering the level of sugar in the blood. 

Helps in digestion: pomegranate can help in digestion according to Ayurveda pomegranate leaves are used to treat stomach ailment such as diarrhea and indigestion. 

Antimicrobial effects: The leaves can have accompanying effects to combat some bacteria, and prevent infections.

 

Personally, in  family we would boil the pomegranate leaves in water, it was a very easy tonic used by my grandmother when one of us had loose motion. It didn't taste so good but it worked! This is an indication that sometimes natural remedies can be better than we imagine. 

Therefore, you cannot use the leaves like a salad but you can digest them on the herbal tea or even mix them with home remedies to address certain health concerns.  

Beautiful, Beneficial Pomegranate Flowers 

Pomegranate Flower 

 

The pomegranate tree has bright-red/orange flowers that are very beautiful. However, there are a number of health benefits they are capable of providing besides their appearance.

Assists the management of diabetes: similar to the leaves, the flowers can give assistance with blood sugar management. 

Helps the heart: Certain studies indicate that pomegranate flower extract may help to lower cholesterol and benefit the heart. 

Anti-inflammatory: In case you experience swelling, or pain in the joints, the flowers can be used to reduce inflammation.  

Traditional medicine is used by many individuals in villages using dried flowers of pomegranates. Others go to the extent of extracting herbal powders by drying the flowers and combining them with warm water as a remedy. It is no wonder of urban area but still prevalent in the rural area of India. 

Pomegranate and Ulcers of the Stomach

A lot of individuals have stomach ulcers due to overproduction of acid, stress or infections. Although medicines are significant, there are natural remedies that can facilitate the healing as well. This has been done using pomegranate in all its forms; Ayurveda and folk medicine. 

Fruit: The fruit rests the stomach, cools and is soothing in its sweet juice and juicy seeds. They can alleviate acidity and lower irritation of the stomach. In India, pomegranate juice is usually administered to a person with ulcers or indigestion. 

Leaves: Take pomegranate leaves and boil in water and use as a mild ulcer remedy. They lessen the inflammation of stomach lining besides possible help  in quick recovery. It is claimed that taking this tea (which should not be too strong or bitter) on an empty stomach may quieten the digestive system.

Flowers: The flowers too are healing and they can be of some assistance in shielding the stomach lining against any further damage. There are some traditional healers which use powdered dried flowers combined with honey to relieve pain of ulcer.  

The reason: The pomegranate parts house natural compounds that show anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. They protect against the stomach, combat disease-causing bacteria such as H. pylori (the most frequent causes of ulcers), and induce a faster healing rate. 

Pomegranate and Milk Good or Bad?

In a lot of Indian households the elders ask people to drink fruit with milk in order to give some extra strength to them. It is also taken in form of pomegranate milk shake which permeates with others even in the morning. However in the case of ulcer and digestion we must be a little guarded.

Possible Benefits:

• Anesthetic effect: Milk has a cooling action and forms a lining on the stomach surface which could help counter ulcer aching and burning.

• Additional nutrition: Juices and blends: Combining pomegranate with milk, you can get vitamins and fruit + nutrients and calcium and protein of milk.

• Morning energy: Sip it with an empty stomach and enjoy a low-intensity energy boost so as not to be overly heavy. 

Careful points: 

• Not all: Some cannot combine sour fruits (such as pomegranate) with milk as it leads to bloating or indigestion. 

• More advisable alternative: In case you wish to treat ulcer using pomegranate, it will be safest to consume fresh pomegranate juice only without eating a meal followed by it, or eat the seeds of pomegranate. When you really like it with milk, just take it as a light shake not daily.

My Friendly Tip 

With stomach ulcer, you can perform the following routine:

Breakfast(empty stomach): Drink plain fresh pomegranate juice (no sugar). 

Snack: throughout the day you can drink pomegranate milkshake drink as a treat but not as medicine.

That way, you not only have the Healing prowess of pomegranate on your ulcer but you are safe of the indigestion effects of the milk combo.

So, Which One Would Be the Best to the Health? 

Here is the difficult part- among leaves, flowers and fruit, which really is the best? 

In nutrition and flavor, the fruit can be said to be victorious on a daily basis. It is convenient to consume, tastes good, and it is available everywhere.

The leaves and the flowers have different benefits as in case of certain health issues such as diabetes or stomach problems.

To achieve overall balance, they should be combined in accordance with your need. The fruit to give daily energy, the leaf to enhance digestion and the flowers to control sugar levels and cholesterol.

Indeed, the fruit is for the body fuel, the leaves to the stomach, and the flowers to the heart. The pomegranate tree has each of its parts which adds some value. 

Easy to remember way:

• Fruit = Daily Health & Energy
• Leaves = Digestion, Diabetes
• Flowers = Heart & sugar level 

The Way to Apply in your Everyday Life 

These are a few convenient ways in which you can incorporate pomegranate in your life:

Fruit: Fresh seeds can be eaten or added to salads, or taken as fresh juice.

Leaves: Put a few leaves in water and boil until the water is one-fourth of its original volume, strain and drink as herbal tea.

Flowers: Dry the flowers with the shade, and powder them and use one teaspoon of it in warm water or tea.

Naturally, these are conventional customs. To keep it a habit, make sure that you are not under medication and consider consulting your physician, especially when you have some kind of medical condition. 

Final Thoughts 

The pomegranate tree is a  complete package of nature. All its components, that is shiny red fruit, modest leaves and colorful flowers are endowed with healing properties. That is, had I been asked on which side I found the best, I would have responded--it depends on what you are seeking. When it comes to the taste and daily health, the fruit is the choice. Leave and flowers cannot be overlooked when it comes to remedies of a certain kind.

So in case you go back to your bowl of what you think are pomegranate seeds, all you need to do is remember nothing behind the tree makes it short of spectacular.

How about it? Have you ever drunk pomegranate leaves tea or used the flowers in some home treatment? Tell me in the comments how you found this out-I wonder.

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