What is Quince? This is a significant fruit culture for humans.Fragrant fruits are used for culinary preparations, wood is used for carving, and in fruit growing the plant is used as a rootstock for many crops. However, very few people know about the medicinal and useful properties of quince, which is enjoyed by almost all parts of the plant. Let's talk in more detail about the benefits that the fruits of this plant bring to the human body.
.Table of contents
- General Characteristics of Quince Culture
- Useful properties and composition of fruits of the quince
- Possible harm and contraindications to fruit consumption
- Use of leaves, seeds and pulp of quince in folk medicine
- The best folk recipes
- Benefits of quince during pregnancy
General Characteristics of Quince Culture
Quince is a deciduous tree or shrub, the only representative of its kind. This is one of the ancient cultivated crops, the history of which is 4000 years old.The native land of the plant is the countries of Transcaucasia and Central Asia
, here it occurs in the wild and now. But its first glory was given to culture in ancient Greece. Here she was given the name, which is used in biology and now - "Cydonia".To restore the history of culture and its use by different peoples, the books of Pliny (77 n. e.) "Natural History" and the Armenian scientist Amirdovlat Amasiatsi (XV century.) "Unnecessary for ignoramuses". They detail the healing, firming and restorative properties of quince fruits. Today, these data are confirmed by biochemical studies.
Today there is more400 varietiesquince. They differ only in the insignificant structure of the flowers and the shape of the fruit, which look like a pear. Fruits of yellow color, in some cases with a one-sided red tint, are dense, hard and crispy with slight pubescence. Depending on the variety, they may have a round or pear-shaped shape,reach up to2 kgweight. Fruits ripen in September-October.
The flesh of the fruit is viscous and tart. The aroma resembles an apple with an almost perceptible coniferous hue.In the fruits of quince is from 50before70brown seeds, which have valuable healing properties.
The fruits of the culture are rarely eaten fresh. They are valuable as a raw material for the canning industry and home cooking.Thanks to the persistent aroma and extraordinary taste of them, good jams, jams, jellies, candied fruits and marmalade. In winemaking fruits are used for making a special brand of wine, and in medicine for aromatization of premises (aromatherapy). She has firmly entered the cooking of the Central Asian republics, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Useful properties and composition of fruits of the quince
With the advent of other cultures, which are more attractive taste, the use of quince undeservedly moved aside. butthe fruits of quince can be called a real natural pharmacy, therapeutic and useful properties, which confirm biochemical analysis.
100 g of product are contained:
- carbohydrates, g;
- food fibers, g;
- proteins, g;
- fats, g;
- organic acids, g;
- water 84 g;
- ash,
Energy value48 kCal.
The lack of cholesterol, low fat content and a significant amount of dietary fiber make quince fruit a dietary product. Therefore, they will be useful for obesity or low-calorie diet.Regular use of the product normalizes the flora of the intestines, contributes to the removal of toxins naturally.
Pectins (3%) of fruits, falling into the stomach, form a gel-like substance, enveloping the intestinal mucosa. This becomes a reliable protection against irritation.
Quince fruits contain organic acids, tannins. Essential oils are concentrated in the peel.
Microelements (100g):
- potassium 144 mg;
- phosphorus 24 mg;
- calcium 23 mg;
- magnesium 14 mg;
- sodium 14 mg.
Also in the fruit contains iron3 mg.
The mineral composition of the fruits is dominated by potassium. This is the main regulator of acid-base balance of blood, level of intercellular and cellular fluid, osmotic pressure. These properties of the mineral are valuable in pathologies accompanied with an increase in the level of fluid in the body.
Phosphorus and calcium, essential components of bone structure, are important for strengthening the skeleton and teeth. Phosphorus carries the transformed energy across all cells of the body, which provide muscle contraction and brain activity. Magnesium suppresses nervous excitability and regulates the functions of the respiratory center.
Quince is a good source of iron. This is the main component of hemoglobin and myoglobin, carriers of oxygen across all cells of the body. When their synthesis is disturbed, anemia develops in the body, which gradually leads to hypoxia (oxygen starvation). Especially prone to iron deficiency anemia, children, pregnant women and people of senile age. Iron is an important element for the functioning of the thyroid gland.
Vitamins (100 g):
- ascorbic acid (C) 23 mg;
- tocopherol (E), mg;
- nicotinic acid (PP), mg;
- riboflavin (B2), 4 mg;
- thiamine (B1), 2 mg.
The color of the fruit betrays beta-carotene (, mg), which in the body is converted to vitamin A (167 μg).A significant amount of vitamin C in the fruit helps fight colds, increases the protective functions of the body. Beta-carotene is the strongest antioxidant, contributes to the removal of toxins from the body.
Possible harm and contraindications to fruit consumption
With all the positive qualities of this fetus, there are contraindications. The flesh of the fruits of quince has an astringent and fixing action. Therefore, theycontraindicated in constipation and intestinal obstruction. Organic acids of fruits can complicate the course of acute gastritis and ulcerative gastrointestinal diseases. Acids are also harmful to tooth enamel, so after each eating fruit, it is recommended to rinse the mouth.
Felt, which covered the fruits of quince, can harm the vocal cords or cause irritation of the upper respiratory tract. This should be taken into account by people whose profession is associated with public speaking (singers, lecturers). It is recommended to use fruit in a purified form.
.The fruits of quince are potential allergens, so they can not be used with hypersensitivity of the body.Introduce the product in baby food can only be at one-year age in a purified form.
.Use of leaves, seeds and pulp of quince in folk medicine
In folk medicine, various parts of the plant are used to treat and prevent many pathologies.
Special attention in folk medicine is given to quince seeds.Their shells consist of water-soluble mucus(22 %), tannic and mineral substances. After the seeds are infused in the water, a gel-like mass is formed, which has an enveloping, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, emollient and hemostatic effect.
These properties of seeds are used to treat:
- dysentery;
- bronchopulmonary diseases;
- internal bleeding;
- pathologies of the digestive tract;
- viral and bacterial infections
- hemorrhoids;
- blepharitis;
- dermatitis, skin irritations, burns;
- inflammatory processes of the oral cavity.
The fruits of quince have cardioprotective, antiemetic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and diuretic properties.Therefore, they are used for treatment:
- hypertension, atherosclerosis, cardiac pathologies;
- diseases of the urinary system;
- catarrhal diseases;
- poisoning with toxins;
- anemia.
Leaves and flowers of quince are used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). They are used as a diuretic for cardiac and pulmonary edema.
The best folk recipes
Despite the relative safety of folk remedies from quince, they can harm people with chronic or acute pathologies. Therefore, before use, it is important to consult a doctor.
Recipes and treatment:
- Angina, cough.The average fruit of a quince is cut into pieces and poured with boiling water (250 ml), insist 30 minutes. Take 1 tbsp. l. 4 times a day.
- Hypertension, swelling.Chopped quince fruit (2 pcs.) Is poured with water (, l), cooked over low heat for 10 minutes and infused for 1 hour. Take 100 ml 3 times a day separately from food.
- Asthma.Crushed dry leaves (1 hour. l.) is poured with boiling water (250 ml) and stripped in a water bath for 15 minutes. The broth is cooled, filtered and brought to a volume of 250 ml with boiled water. Take 50 ml 3 times a day for 30 minutes before meals.
- Hyperhidrosis.Crushed leaves (1 tbsp. l.) pour boiling water (250 ml), boil for 10 minutes and insist for 1 hour. Used for rubbing the skin.
- Colitis, gastroenteritis.Seeds of quince (10 g) pour cold water (1 L), insist for 1 hour. Filtered infusion take 100 ml 4 times a day. This remedy is also used to treat inflammation of the gums. To do this, infusion 4 times a day caress the oral cavity.
- Burns, dermatitis.In these cases, infusion of seeds is used. To do this, apply to the problem areas for 30 minutes moistened in a means of gauze. Inflammation is also swallowed by blepharitis.
- Dysbacteriosis (diarrhea).Dried partitions of fruits (1 tbsp. l.) brew in boiling water (250 ml), insist in a thermos for 3 hours. Take 2 tbsp. l. 4 times a day.
- Anemia.The chopped quince fruit is poured with water until the surface is completely covered and cooked until softened. After that, squeeze the juice and boil it over low heat until it gets a thick consistency. Take 1 tbsp. l. 3-5 times a day.
- Uterine bleeding.Seeds (10 pcs.) Are poured with boiling water (200 ml), brought to a boil and allowed to stand for 3 minutes. The strained agent is taken 100 ml 3 times a day.
- Diabetes.Crushed leaves (2 tbsp. l.) Pour water (250 ml) and boil for 15 minutes over low heat. Chilled and filtered broth take 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day.
If you add potato starch to mucus quince, thereby increasing the density, you will get a wonderful remedy for various cracks in the skin. It is used to lubricate the nipples during lactation and the rapid healing of bleeding cracks in hemorrhoids.
.Benefits of quince during pregnancy
During pregnancy in the body of a woman there are various functional changes that change the need, coming from the food of nutrients.
During this period, the volume of circulating blood is increased in the body to feed the uterus and fetus, thus the need for iron increases.The lack of a stable intake of the substance with food leads to the development of iron deficiency anemia. Regular consumption of quince fruits will help prevent this phenomenon.
Literally from the very first days after conception, the fetus begins to form organs and systems, and it occurs in the process of mitosis (growth, division) of cells. For the mitotic activity of cells, a stable intake of phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and calcium is important.
Minerals are also needed to strengthen the mother's vessels, the lack of which leads to complications such as hemorrhoids, gestosis, varicose veins.The attractiveness of quince as a source of nutrients is separated by its dietary properties. Excess weight during pregnancy is also the cause of complications.
Antiemetic properties of quince help to cope with unpleasant manifestations of toxicosis.When pregnancy is often marked by various dysfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract, accompanied by flatulence. In this case, the mashed potatoes from cooked fruits will help, which should be consumed 3 times a day for 3-4 st. l.
Quince is also useful for preventing edema.Means according to national prescriptions can be used for the treatment of colds, because many drugs in this period are contraindicated.
Every year the effectiveness of traditional methods of treatment is confirmed by scientific research. Partial replacement of chemical preparations with herbal remedies is attractive and relevant.With proper use, quince can be a good complement to the traditional treatment regimen, which reduces the aggressive effects of pharmacological agents.
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