Content
- 1 Loquat is a berry or fruit
- 2 How to eat medlar
- 3 What does loquat taste like?
- 4 Composition and calorie content
- 5 The benefits of medlar
- 6 Is medlar safe for pregnant women?
- 7 The healing properties of loquat leaves
- 8 Beneficial properties of loquat seeds
- 9 Application of medlar
- 10 Harm of medlar and contraindications
- 11 Selection and storage of medlar
- 12 Conclusion
Medlar is the fruit of an exotic tree that belongs to the Rosaceae family. China is considered the birthplace of culture. There are two main types of medlar: Japanese and German. Both fruits are edible and have an unusual, pleasant taste. It is known that the beneficial properties of medlar help in the treatment and prevention of many diseases. Moreover, cosmetologists use not only the fruits of an exotic tree, but also its leaves and seeds.
Other names for the culture are Lokva, Shesek, Biwa, Nislero
Loquat is a berry or fruit
Many people believe that medlar is a hybrid of quince and persimmon. But this is not true. Medlar is an independent crop, and its fruits are considered fruits. After all, they appear as a result of pollination of flowers and consist of pulp and seeds. Medlar fruits hang in clusters on the tree, as can be seen in the photo, 5-7 pieces each. But they do not ripen at the same time. Therefore, harvesting must be done in several stages.
How to eat medlar
In appearance, the fruits of this exotic tree look like small apples. Experts insist that it is better to eat medlar fruits with the peel. After all, it contains many vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to human health. How to eat medlar with or without peel is up to each person to decide for himself, based on his personal preferences.
Before use, the fruits must be thoroughly washed and slightly dried. Then they should be divided into two halves and the seeds removed.
What does loquat taste like?
Ripe loqua has a fleshy, juicy pulp that resembles the consistency of a plum. The taste of the fruit is harmonious, pleasant, unlike other fruits. It combines notes of apple, quince, citrus and strawberry. The taste is sweet without bitterness, with a slight sourness.
Medlar quenches thirst well and refreshes
Composition and calorie content
The orange-yellow color of ripe loquat indicates the presence of beta-carotene and vitamin A in these fruits. After all, they are necessary for visual health.
The exotic fruit also contains other useful components:
- vitamins B, K, C;
- mineral components;
- cellulose;
- organic acids;
- tannins;
- pectin.
The calorie content of 100 g of fresh product is only 42 Kcal. Therefore, medlar is recommended to be included in the diet of people who are overweight.
The benefits of medlar
The rich chemical composition of fruits provides beneficial properties for human health. Medlar has a diuretic effect. Moreover, it not only removes excess fluid from the body, but also cleanses it of toxins, and also replenishes the deficiency of useful components.This exotic fruit improves vision, and due to its high potassium content, helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels and normalizes the functioning of the heart muscle.
Lokva is recommended for problems with the digestive system. To eliminate diarrhea, you need to eat unripe fruits, which contain a lot of tannins. In this case, they should be eaten before meals in the morning or in the afternoon.
Ripe medlar has the opposite beneficial effect on the human body. It is suitable as a mild laxative. To treat and prevent constipation, it is recommended to consume fresh fruits before meals three times a day.
Loqua is able to activate the work of the endocrine glands. It is beneficial when their function is reduced. The recommended daily dosage for adults is seven fruits.
The beneficial properties of medlar fruit are also known for men. It helps prevent impotence and the development of prostate adenoma. Regular consumption of medlar is recommended for people involved in sports. This exotic fruit promotes rapid recovery of the body after physical exertion and energizes you.
The beneficial properties of the fruit also have a beneficial effect on the body of women. With regular use, it helps improve the condition of the skin, nails, and hair by normalizing metabolic processes in the body. This fruit is recommended to be included in diets and fasting menus.
Lokva is also recommended for children. It helps to compensate for the deficiency of useful components in the growing child’s body. However, a new fruit should be introduced into the diet gradually, starting with 1/3 of the fruit per day. And only subsequently should the norm be increased if there are no signs of allergy.The maximum daily dosage for children is three fruits.
This exotic fruit prevents the formation of cancer cells
Is medlar safe for pregnant women?
During pregnancy, the female body experiences increased stress and needs more nutrients. And medlar helps to compensate for their deficiency. Therefore, it can be consumed regularly, no more than four fruits per day, if this does not cause allergies.
The healing properties of loquat leaves
Loquat leaves can also benefit human health. After all, they contain unique acids, such as ursulic, pomolic, corosolic. For medicinal purposes, you can use ripe plates without damage or signs of pests or diseases. Based on them, a decoction, extract and tincture are prepared.
The medicinal properties of medlar leaves are used for:
- strengthening the immune system;
- enhancing insulin production in diabetes;
- liver cleansing;
- pancreas treatment;
- fight against viruses and infections;
- restoration of emotional state.
Loquat-based folk remedies need to be taken over a course of 7-10 days for them to be beneficial. If re-therapy is necessary, it can be carried out after a break of two weeks.
Beneficial properties of loquat seeds
Medlar seeds also have beneficial properties. They can be used as an alternative to coffee. To do this, the seeds of ripened fruits should be thoroughly dried, ground and fried. The resulting powder must be steamed in boiling water. This drink gives you vigor and freshness.
Application of medlar
Thanks to its unique composition and beneficial properties, medlar has found wide use in folk medicine, cosmetology, and cooking. The Caucasian medlar is especially valued, as it is superior to the German variety in terms of vitamins, minerals and taste.
In folk medicine
For treatment, you can use the fruits and leaves of the plant. But it should be understood that folk remedies are recommended to be used for prevention and as an addition to the main therapy, and not instead of it.
Recipes for folk remedies:
- Decoction. Boil 0.5 liters of water and add 1 tbsp. l. dried leaves of the plant. Boil for five minutes and leave for three hours, then strain. Drink 50 ml before meals three times a day. Take this useful remedy for diseases of the digestive system, to cleanse the body and liver.
- Tincture. Grind the pulp of five ripe fruits to a pulpy state. Transfer the mixture to a dark glass container and pour in 100 ml of alcohol and seal. Leave for three days in a cool place, shaking the bottle periodically. Take 1 tbsp. l. before meals. Alcohol tincture improves mucus discharge and relieves inflammation. Due to its beneficial properties, it is recommended for bronchitis and asthma.
- Syrup. To prepare this product, you need to mix loquat juice with sugar in a 1:2 ratio. It should be slightly heated and stirred until a homogeneous composition is obtained. Take syrup 1 tsp. three times a day, without drinking water, to soften cough in diseases of the upper respiratory tract.Therapy is carried out until the unpleasant symptoms disappear, but not longer than a week.
- Extract. To prepare a healing remedy, you need to fill half a glass container with crushed loqua leaves. Then you should fill them with 70% alcohol so that the liquid completely covers the plant material. Leave the extract in the dark at room temperature for three weeks, shaking the container occasionally. After the waiting period, strain the extract and take 20-30 drops once a day between 11 and 1 p.m. The beneficial properties of the product help restore pancreatic function and are effective for diabetes.
Loquat promotes weight loss, since after its consumption the feeling of fullness remains for a long time
In home cosmetology
The beneficial properties of medlar fruits help prolong youth and slow down the aging process. This fruit has a beneficial effect on the skin, improves the structure of hair and nails, since it contains all the necessary components.
Rules for the preparation and use of cosmetic products:
- Mask. Mix 50 ml of medlar juice with 30 ml of aloe. Add 1 tbsp to the mixture. l. heavy cream and 1 tsp. olive oil. Apply the resulting composition to the skin of the face in an even layer. Leave for 20 minutes and then rinse with warm water. This useful mask nourishes the upper layer of the epidermis, increases its elasticity, and smoothes out wrinkles. It is recommended to carry out the procedure 2-3 times a week.
- Lotion. Grind 100 g of loquat pulp to a puree consistency and add 50 ml of 20% alcohol, mix. It is recommended to wipe your face and hands with the resulting product in the morning and evening.This useful lotion allows you to give your skin a uniform tone, increase its elasticity, and slow down the aging process.
In cooking
You can make healthy compotes, preserves, jams, dessert preparations, and sauces from loquat, as they retain most of the vitamins and microelements. This exotic fruit is recommended to be added to salads and meat dishes. Dried loqua seeds are used to prepare liqueurs and tinctures.
Exotic goes well with basil, turmeric and ginger
Harm of medlar and contraindications
Despite the beneficial properties of the fruit, there are some contraindications for the use of medlar leaves and fruits. To avoid negative health consequences, it is necessary to take them into account.
Contraindications:
- individual intolerance;
- ulcer;
- gastritis;
- pancreatitis;
- type 1 diabetes
Medlar fruits contain small amounts of cyanide. But with excessive consumption of fruits, they accumulate in the body, which causes intoxication. In this case, nausea, dizziness, and general weakness appear.
Selection and storage of medlar
When purchasing these healthy exotic fruits, you should give preference to medium-sized specimens. Because small fruits may be sour, and large ones may be overripe. Also, the fruit should have a uniform shade without spots or damage.
Ripe lova should be stored in the refrigerator for no more than three days.
Conclusion
The beneficial properties of medlar allow this fruit to be used for medicinal and preventive purposes. To do this, you can use fresh lokva or make folk remedies based on it.However, moderation should be observed so as not to inadvertently cause harm to health.
