Medlar is an evergreen fruit tree whose fruits resemble apricots. Inside there are four bones. The height of the tree is 10 m, the leaves are oblong. The skin of the fruit is quite dense, but the inside is very soft and sour, it is a combination of apple, apricot and strawberry to taste. Medlar has a yellow-orange color of berries. This tree grows mainly in countries where the climate is warm, not lower than 0 ° С. However, the loquat can tolerate a decrease in temperature to -15 ° C, but not for long. The homeland of this plant is considered to be South-West Asia. The usefulness of this fruit has no limits.
Types of Medlar
There are about 30 varieties of loquat, among which there are 2 main ones:
- Medlar German (it is Caucasian);
- Medlar Japanese.
German (Caucasian) medlar
German medlar blooms closer to the end of May, and produces fruits after the first frost in the fall. She has a white flower with red stamens. The fruit of the medlar is of the German red-brownish color and has a diameter of up to 5 cm. To taste, the ripe medlar is reminiscent of apple puree. This type of medlar is growing in the Crimea, in the Caucasus, in southern Europe.
Did you know?Such a fruit tree as the German medlar has been known to people since ancient times, about a thousand years ago. In the old days medlar fruits traded in ancient Greece and ancient Rome, and this fruit got to Europe. Today, medlar is grown in Asia Minor, in the Crimea, in the Caucasus, in Algeria, in Azerbaijan.
Japanese loquat
As for the fruit medlar Japanese, then there are some differences from the German medlar.
The loquat that grows in the warm climate of China and Japan, blooms in October and produces fruits in May and June. The flower has a white and cream color with a very fragrant aroma. The fruit of the medlar Japanese bright yellow-orange color, resembles a pear in shape and has a maximum diameter of 10 cm.
Medicinal properties of the loquat, its use in medicine
Medlar - the fruit, the benefits and harms to the body of which are incommensurable.Medlar has an incredible utility. The structure of this fruit includes all sorts of vitamins, micro-and macronutrients, useful acids. Among them:
- Vitamin A;
- Vitamins of group B (B1, B2, B3, B6, B9);
- Vitamin C;
- Vitamin K;
- Vitamin E;
- Carotene;
- Beta carotene;
- Iodine;
- Potassium;
- Calcium;
- Magnesium;
- Phosphorus;
- Sodium;
- Zinc;
- Manganese;
- Selenium;
- Iron;
- Fructose;
- Sucrose;
- Organic acids (malic, citric).
In case of bronchial asthma, you can make an alcohol tincture by rubbing the fruit together with the bones from 2 tbsp. spoons of honey and 100 ml of vodka. After you need to give this medicine to brew for a week in a tightly closed container. Then you should strain the tincture and take 3 times a day, 30 ml before meals.
Important!The bones of this fruit are slightly poisonous, they need to be consumed only in a processed form - dried, roasted, for making coffee drinks, but infused - for the treatment of bronchus and gastrointestinal tract.
Not only the fruit of the medlar itself has healing properties, but also flowers and leaves. Medlar leaves, the healing properties of which are known for diarrhea, can be taken as a solution, or they can be applied for bleeding. In diabetes medlar increases the amount of insulin in the blood, thereby improving the patient's condition. Medlar reduces the risk of cancer.
Use of medlar in cooking
In cooking from the medlar brew all sorts of jams, preserves, fruit juice, kvass, wine, liquor, prepare sweet salads; You can make jam from pumpkin and pumpkin seeds right in the microwave.
To do this, take 1 kg of loquat, 300 g of sugar and 4 tbsp. spoons of pumpkin seeds. Separate the flesh of the fruit from the stone and, mixing with sugar, place for 10 minutes. in the microwave. Then get it, add pumpkin seeds and dog it in the saucepan on a regular stove over low heat. Such a jam will be useful doubly, thanks to the miraculous properties of not only medlar, but also pumpkin.
Medlar and cosmetology
Medlar is used in cosmetology. A medlar face mask will help those with sensitive skin prone to irritation and redness. This mask has a tonic effect, will make the skin more elastic, will give the face a fresh look. Masks can be made from the fruits themselves or from the leaves of the plant. Here is an example of one of the masks. The pulp of 5 fruits is mixed with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and a teaspoon of olive oil. After 30 minutes rinse with warm water. This mask is perfect for those who have dry skin.
The use of medlar in dietetics
For people who are struggling with obesity, a muslim is useful because its main purpose is the removal of toxins from the human body. Medlar along with other fruits takes a weighty place in any diet. Its caloric value is 52.5 kcal per 100 g of the product, protein 2.1, fat 0.8 and 14 g of carbohydrates. As you can see, the medlar is a “light” fruit for the body. It helps to digest "heavy" food.
Important! Going on a dietneed to remember thatloquat should be found in the diet no more than once a week in a volume of not more than 1 kg.
Can I use medlar during pregnancy
Of course, it is possible, since it is saturated with a huge amount of useful substances, which is so necessary for mom during the carrying of the future child.
Harm and contraindications medlar
Along with the beneficial properties of the medlar, there are a number of contraindications. People with a gastric ulcer, gastritis, inflammation of the pancreas, prone to allergic reactions, should remove this type of fresh fruit from their diet. Also, this fruit should be carefully introduced into the diet of young children. First test for allergies, giving a small amount of fresh fruit pulp. The same applies to lactating mothers.
