For Health and Abundance: Everything You Wanted to Know About the Benefits of the Pomegranate

1. The pomegranate is one of the seven species with which the Land of Israel is blessed, as stated in the verse: "A land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig trees and pomegranates; a land of olive oil and honey" (Deuteronomy 8:8).

2. The pomegranate symbolizes abundance, fertility, and wisdom, and its shape is widely found in Jewish history. Among other things, the pomegranate shape was embroidered on the robe of Aaron the Priest, stamped on the capitals of the columns in Solomon's Temple, and found on the ivory pomegranate, part of the scepter used by the priests in the Temple. The scepter was discovered in archaeological excavations and is now housed in the Israel Museum. It is one of the few items that survived from the First Temple period.

3. There are numerous references in Jewish sources to the use of pomegranate for medicinal purposes. For example, Maimonides wrote that pomegranate peel can be used to stop bleeding from wounds and heal skin diseases. Additionally, pomegranate juice can be used to stop diarrhea and alleviate nausea.

4. Pomegranates were widely used for medical needs in various Diaspora communities. Moroccan Jews treated dysentery with it (along with other ingredients), Tunisian Jews used it for diaper rashes, Yemeni Jews mixed henna with pomegranate peel powder for dandruff treatment or hair dyeing, and Iraqi Jews used pomegranate flowers to treat gum and eye inflammations.

5. Beyond the traditional uses, modern medicine attests to the many health benefits of the pomegranate: lowering blood pressure, reducing cholesterol oxidation, easing inflammatory symptoms, lowering bad cholesterol, treating diarrhea, hemorrhoids, wounds, and burns, maintaining cardiovascular health, strengthening the immune system, and aiding those suffering from anemia and weakness. Additionally, the pomegranate cleanses the intestines and purifies the body. It contains a particularly large amount of antioxidants, several times more than green tea.

6. Pomegranate juice is also highly recommended, sometimes even more than eating the fruit itself. The juice smoothens wrinkles, helps with liver congestion, and joint inflammations. Recent studies have shown that pomegranate juice has a positive impact on breast cancer treatments and can even serve as a substitute for hormone replacement therapy during menopause.

7. Nutritional value of pomegranate per 100 grams: Vitamin B1 - 0.03 mg, B3 - 0.3 mg, Vitamin C - 4 mg, Protein - 0.5 grams, 63 calories, Fat - 0.3 grams, Carbohydrates - 16.4 grams, Calcium - 11 mg, Iron - 0.7 mg, Potassium - 240 mg.

Its blessing is Borei Pri HaEtz (Creator of the fruit of the tree).