Lythraceae
Pomegranate
Punica granatum
✓ Generally Safe
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: Middle East, South Asia
Also known as: Pomegranate, Anardana (seed), Grenadier
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
FruitPeelSeedBark
Therapeutic Uses
Cardiovascular disease (reduces arterial plaque — clinical evidence), prostate cancer prevention (PSA reduction), diabetes, oral infections (antibacterial mouthwash), menopausal symptoms (peel), colorectal cancer prevention.
Herbal Actions
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal (peel), estrogenic (mild), antiatherogenic, antitumor
Active Constituents
Ellagitannins (punicalagin — primary antioxidant, ellagic acid), anthocyanins, punicic acid (seed oil), flavonoids, estrone (peel)
Preparation Methods
🏺 Tincture☕ Herbal TeaJuice
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | Peel: 1 tsp dried peel per 250ml, steep 10 min, 2x daily |
| Tincture | Standardized juice: 200–240ml daily. Peel extract: 500–1000mg daily |
| Notes | Pomegranate juice (8oz/240ml daily): clinical evidence for cardiovascular and prostate benefits. Punicalagin survives digestion and has extraordinary antioxidant capacity (3x greater than red wine). Peel has highest ellagitannin content. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: Caution with antihypertensives and statins (CYP3A4 inhibitor). Peel in pregnancy — estrone content. Juice may interact with warfarin.
Side Effects: GI upset at high peel doses. Drug interactions (CYP inhibition). Allergic reactions (rare). Generally very safe.