Medlar - the ancient and mystique jewel of every winter garden… The homeland of medlar is Southwest Asia and Southeast Europe. It has been also grown for thousands of years in the Caspian Sea region and in northern Iran. Brought to Greece around 700 BC and to Rome around 200 BC. Unjustly neglected medlar fruits were used thousands of years ago for their healing properties. Medlar was a very common fruit during the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages.
From ancient times the medlar has been used for food and medicine. According to historical data, the fruit was cultivated as early as 1000 BC. in China and Asia. The healing effect of the fruit has been known to physicians since ancient times. Many doctors from the Middle Ages, for example, considered medlar a good food that purifies the blood and stimulates growth in children.
It is now known that the fruit stimulates the endocrine glands and is recommended for weakening their functions. Medlar also has a general calming effect on the nervous system. The most popular use of the fruit is as a means of strengthening the function of the colon and improving digestion. Medlar fruits (especially underripe) and seeds are used as an aid in the treatment of angina, asthma, bronchitis, gastrointestinal diseases and renal colic (for which the fruit must be ripe).
The good healing effect of Medlar is associated with tannin from the fruit. It is a disinfectant for the intestines.
In acute gastrointestinal disorders, it is preferable to make a decoction of unripe fruits and seeds. A similar decoction is recommended for urolithiasis.
Ripe fruits have a pronounced diuretic effect and are a suitable remedy for inflammation of the kidneys and urinary tract. The presence of a large number of organic acids in the fruit supports the activity of the liver and bile, affects the normal functions of the circulatory and nervous systems. Here in Europe the last fresh fruits to be picked in December and holding so much needed goodness for the sharp and snowy winter weather. In our folk medicine, medlar bark is used to treat also malaria - a fact that is widespread. The Medlar tree withstands temperatures down to - 36 degrees. Although it tolerates drought relatively well, the warm Mediterranean climate is not suitable for growing this tree. There are between 40 and 50 species of medlars, which differ in size and shape of the
fruit and the amount of seeds in it.
Here a simple recipe for a tea and extract with medlar leaves:
Twenty leaves, pour 500 ml of boiling water and cook for 10-12 minutes. The extracted liquid is filtered and allowed to cool. It is preferable if used for healing to be taken 3 times a day (50ml if drank as a tea with a tea spoon of honey) and externally it is used to lubricate inflamed skin with a soaked cotton swab 4-5 times daily.
If you happen to find fresh fruits- by all means try them. They taste wonderful and you have already found the beneficial side of them too 😊
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A. A.
Stob, Bulgaria