What are the main features of a book? Japanese quince is well known to gardeners as an ornamental shrub, covered in spring with rare beauty red-pink buds. But not everyone knows the benefits and harms of the fruits of the Japanese quince. Meanwhile, by harvesting and eating a quince correctly, you can get rid of many diseases and maintain your health in good shape. We learn more about it. General information about the Japanese quince
As the name implies, it comes from Japan. Quince is widespread in China and Europe. Its correct name is Japanese henomeles. This genus includes several other species of henomeles. All of them are deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs or low trees. Young branches of the Japanese quince are bright green, becoming much darker over the years. The flowers are large, pink, orange-red, carmine. Quince fruits regularly, from 5-6 years of age. The main value of the shrub - the fruit - medium-sized yellow apple, ripening in October.
In addition to the fruits of Japanese quince, its leaves are used in traditional medicine, which are harvested and dried.
What are the beneficial properties of quince
Chhenomeles fruits are rich in vitamins and other useful organic compounds. Ripe fruits contain about 12% of sugars, among which are fructose, glucose and sucrose. In addition, they found a lot of organic acids, bringing great benefits. Among them:
- malic,
- wine,
- ascorbic,
- fumaric,
- citric,
- chlorogenic.
Read also: Break the quince: when and how to store the crop
These compounds normalize the acid-base balance, are involved in carbohydrate and fat metabolism, prevent the development of nervous and muscular pathologies and such severe ailments as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
How useful quince - a high content of ascorbic acid. Therefore, it is often called the northern lemon. This acid gives a strong sour taste to ripe fruit.
In addition to vitamin C, quince fruits contain carotene, vitamins E, PP, B1, B2, B6.The microelements found in them are:
- iron,
- copper,
- manganese,
- boron,
- cobalt and others.
Also found in the fruits of quince are such beneficial substances as anthocyanins, tannins, flavonoids and fatty acids. All listed compounds of the Japanese quince have their own beneficial properties and contraindications. When eating fruits they need to be considered.
The fruits of the Japanese quince have an anti-inflammatory, tonic and diuretic effect on the body. Regular consumption of them can improve immunity and significantly reduce the body's susceptibility to the most common colds.
What else is useful quince for the body - its properties normalize the activity of the nervous and muscular systems, improve metabolic processes, cleanse the walls of blood vessels from cholesterol plaques.
A high content of iron and vitamin C makes it possible to effectively treat and prevent anemia and exhaustion. Quince fruits act as a fixative and antiemetic. They are also known for their hemostatic and antioxidant properties. Quince is useful as a choleretic and diuretic in diseases of the gallbladder and urinary system.
Quince seeds in the form of water decoctions are popular in traditional medicine as enveloping, mild laxatives and relieving cough of the drug.
Fruit Pulp effectively removes excess fluid in the edema that accompanies kidney and heart failure. Regular use of quince can adjust the work of the gastrointestinal tract.
Japanese Quince in Cooking
Many people do not like quinces because of the pronounced sour taste. Moreover, its fruits are quite solid. How to eat a quince to avoid these shortcomings? Fruits are stored for a long time, and by spring they become softer and more fragrant. They are also used in the form of compotes, jellies, jams. After adding sugar and cooking, the fruit becomes softer and not sour. Short heating in the process of preparation practically does not destroy the useful substances contained in it. The high content of pectin allows you to get jelly and marmalades of excellent taste without long boiling. Due to the high content of acids, the preforms are stored for a long time.
Read also: The healing properties of rosemary and the contraindications to the use of the herb
The henomeles are dried and then used in compotes along with other dried fruits.
Recipes for cooking meat with the addition of quince are popular in cooking in Central Asia and the Caucasus. Dishes get juiciness, unusual flavor and better digested.
Application of Japanese Quince in Cosmetology
The beneficial properties of quince leaves and seeds are well known to cosmetologists. Harm to health, they do not bring, as they are used only externally. The extract from the leaves has a moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and softening effect. Benefits decoction of leaves and fruits for the treatment of seborrhea, dandruff and increased brittle hair. Preparations based on chhenomeles extracts are used for excessive oily skin and hair.
Water decoction of seeds is effective in the form of lotions against fatigue and discomfort in the eyes. Cotton swabs moistened in broth, wipe problem skin. Derivatives of seeds are present in masks and lotions for skin care.
In some cases, the use of quince is contraindicated
In addition to the obvious benefits, the use of Japanese quince can cause harm. To avoid it, you need to know about contraindications. So, a high content of active biological substances can cause allergic reactions. Therefore, it is undesirable to eat a large number of fruits at once.
Read also: Some features of planting and caring for quince in the garden
Also contraindications are constipation, gastric ulcer, inflammation in the small and large intestines, a tendency to allergies, pleurisy. After eating fruits, it is advisable to rinse the mouth immediately with water and baking soda to neutralize the effects of the acids corroding the tooth enamel.
Before eating quince fruits for food, seeds should be removed along with the seed bolls, as they are toxic. It should also be borne in mind that the fluff covering the surface of the fruit can irritate the larynx and vocal cords.
How to prepare and use tincture on vodka
For the preparation of tincture from Japanese quince on vodka they take the most ripe and fragrant fruit. They are washed, removed the seeds and crushed. The resulting mass is placed in a jar and filled with vodka so that it completely covers the fruit mass. The resulting mixture is tightly capped and left in a dark place for three weeks. Then sugar is added to it and the jar is left for another week, shaking occasionally to dissolve the sugar. After a week, the tincture is filtered and, if desired, a little vanillin is added. The tincture is bottled. Keep it better in a dark cool place.
For 500g of quince fruits, 800 ml of vodka and 150g of sugar are taken.
As we can see, the benefits of the Japanese quince are undoubted, and the possible harm can be minimized by proper use.
Video about the benefits of the Japanese quince
