Few people know about such a fruit as loquat. Despite the fact that the orange fruit is not very popular among the common people, this fruit has a history and a lot of useful properties. You will learn about this in our article, as well as the varieties of medlar and how medlar is useful.

Background of medlar (shesec)

Mostly plants are grown closer to the east. The eastern climate is indeed the most favorable for them. Therefore, in countries such as Moldova, Romania, the center of Russia, it is very rare to find this amazing fruit. By the way, very often they ask the question, is it a berry or a fruit, and so, it is definitely a fruit.

Shesek's native country of growth is Asia and Iran. And the fruit came to Russia only closer to the 19th century. But it took root only in the south of Russia. Also, the fruit can be found on the Black Sea coast.

Despite the fact that this fruit is a fairly close relative of the quince, pear and hawthorn, its taste cannot be compared with any of these fruits and berries. The fruits grow in trees with trunks of 8-9 meters (it also depends on the variety). The leaves are large and smooth, and the flowers are white, with 5-6 petals each. Flowering begins in autumn, and in early April, small fruits begin to ripen. The medlar season ends in June - July (it depends very much on the climate and variety).

In total, 30 varieties of medlar are known, but the most popular, tasty and most useful are only 3 varieties (German, Japanese and Caucasian). German, nevertheless, are more in demand, since the export of German medlar occurs immediately to 9 countries (northern Iran, Azerbaijan, Algeria, Transcaucasia, the Balkans, Asia Minor, Armenia and the Crimean Mountains).

The taste of medlar fruit or sheseka (Japanese) resemble very ripe and fleshy cherries. But the fruit itself is usually 2-3 times larger than the cherry, and is also very juicy product and pretty sweet. Inside the fruit are slightly rounded almond-shaped bones, Brown. Usually there are more than two in one fruit.

I would also like to note that not only people like to eat such a product, but also the bats. For them, these trees are a very favorable habitat. They can sleep right on this tree, and when they wake up, they immediately start eating. That is why people do not like to plant trees close to home, as all kinds of birds and insects immediately begin to flock to the ripe fruits.

Useful and medicinal properties of shesek

medlar beneficial features :

Thanks to everyone useful properties sheseka in medicine, it was decided to use it also in cosmetology. Even in ancient times, women made various masks for the face and for the skin of the body. You can also find on the Internet great amount folk recipes, and all of them really have a beneficial effect not only on women's skin, but also on men's. Later, medlar began to be added to creams and tonics.

And it was concluded that it can cleanse not only our body, but also the skin. Medlar will save you from oily and unnecessary shine on your face, prevent any teenage and hormonal changes or rashes on the face or skin. Also orange fruit and its properties will save you from blackheads and blackheads, add radiance, elasticity to your face, healthy color and face shine.

For the most popular medlar recipe on the Internet, you will need:

1. sheseka nectar
2. Olive oil (can be bought at any cosmetic store)
3. Cream

So, approximately 30 ml of medlar nectar should be mixed with a teaspoon of olive oil, a tablespoon of flour and the same amount of cream. All this is well mixed until a homogeneous mass. After that, apply to clean and damp skin with massaging movements, avoiding the skin around the eyes. Leave the mask on for 20-25 minutes and cover paper napkin without pressing too hard. Rinse lightly warm water without soap or other detergents.

Loquat tonic

You can also cook it at home yourself and at no extra cost. To do this, simply mix Fresh Juice sheseka, rich in medicinal properties, with a small amount of vodka or alcohol. If you have chosen alcohol, it should be poured less than vodka. Wipe your face with this remedy every time before applying any cream or gel to your face. Use the tonic no more than 3-4 times a week. If you are the owner sensitive skin, then use the tonic less often due to the alcohol content.

Does medlar fruit harm?

Doctors unanimously claim that the medlar does not carry any significant consequences. Hardly a fruit with such a content useful substances and properties can bring some harm to our body. But there are some contraindications:

1. Gastritis
2. Ulcer in the stomach or intestines
3. Any form of cholecystitis
4. Diseases of the pancreas

All these contraindications refer only to the unripe fruits of the loquat fruit. Since, it contains quite a lot of acid in itself. And, nevertheless, compotes, jams or medlar jams can be eaten and will even be very useful. So if you go to the east, be sure to eat plenty of medlar, but only mature. After all, you should not miss such a chance to saturate the body with a mountain of useful substances.

What can be made delicious from medlar?

When it became clear that such a fruit as medlar brings such an amount of benefits, and it just became boring to eat it, the most original ones began to come up with various ways cooking and adding medlar to dishes. And at the moment, medlar jam is in demand.

A simple way to make medlar jam:

For jam you need only 3 ingredients:

• Medlar - 1 kilogram
• Water - 250-300 ml
• Sugar 300-500 grams

So, peel the fruit from the top peel, break them into halves, removing the seeds. Next, put sugar and water on the stove in a saucepan, on slow fire. Stir constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved. Bring this syrup to a boil and continue cooking for another five minutes. Throw chopped medlar into the finished syrup. Cook over high heat for 15 minutes, then return to low heat and cook until tender, remembering to stir constantly.

While the jam is cooking, sterilize the jars. To do this, boil the kettle, and when hot steam comes out of the neck of the kettle, substitute a jar under it. Hold the jar in this position for about a minute, and proceed to the next jar. Pour jam into sterilized jars. Then close the jars well and hermetically. Your jam is ready!

medlar- an evergreen plant with racemose fruits. Her appearance resembles an apricot, and the taste is similar to a combination of apricot, apple and strawberries.

The plant belongs to the Rosaceae family, a subspecies of the apple tree.

The tender tree has about 30 varieties, but the German and Japanese medlar have become the most famous and popular in recent years.

Interestingly, the first flowers japanese loquat bloom on a tree in autumn, and not in spring, as is usually customary among fruit plants. Fruit ripening occurs in the spring. In shape, they vaguely resemble a pear, and their diameter usually does not exceed 10 cm.

fruit types

There are more than 30 types of medlar, but usually only two are common in planting: German (Caucasian) and Japanese.

The German medlar has its origins in ancient Babylon. Now it is common in places with a warm climate - in Western Ukraine, Crimea, southern Russia, Western Europe and the USA.

The fruits are brown in color, can reach 3 cm in diameter, ripen in October. Can withstand temperatures down to -23°C.

The Japanese loquat (loqua) is cultivated in Japan and China. The aroma of the flowers is reminiscent of bitter almonds.

The fruit is quite large with juicy pulp.

Useful and medicinal properties for the body

Calories per 100 grams plants is only 47 kcal. As seen, nutritious fruit It is not high in calories at all, so you can safely eat it and at the same time not be afraid to gain a couple of extra pounds.

Product nutritional value:

• water - 86.73 g;
• dietary fiber - 1.7 g;
• proteins - 0.43 g;
• fats - 0.2 g;
• carbohydrates - 10.44 g;
• ash - 0.5 g.

vitamins, included in the loquat: A (0.007 mg), B1 (0.019 mg), B3 (0.18 mg), B6 ​​(0.1 mg), B9 (0.014 mg), C (1 mg).

Chemical composition: potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper and selenium.

By chemical composition medlar is similar to an apple. It also includes sugar, fruit acids, volatile, pectins, tannins and aromatics.

medlar widely used in medicine and cosmetology.

From the dried and ground seeds of a Japanese plant, a coffee substitute is prepared, which, according to palatability is no different from the original, but is a very useful and tonic drink. And since it does not contain caffeine at all, it can be consumed by pregnant women.

• Stops bleeding (decoction of the leaves).

• Diuretic. Promotes the removal of stones.

• Removes toxins, harmful cholesterol, salts heavy metals, radionuclides.

• Slightly under ripe fruits hold together, and the juicy ripe pulp is used as a laxative.

• Normalizes metabolism. Treats gastrointestinal diseases.

• Alcohol tincture helps with bronchitis and asthma, pain in the heart.

• Saturates the body with vitamins and microelements, stimulates the body to resist viral infections, strengthens the immune system, which is very important during pregnancy.

• Stabilizes blood pressure prevents heart attacks and strokes.

• Lowers blood sugar levels, which is useful feature for diabetics. Also, taking medlar increases the amount of insulin in the body.

• Removes phlegm in diseases of the respiratory system.

• It is used as a prophylaxis of oncological diseases.

• Creams with medlar extract make the skin more elastic and smooth th, slow down the aging process, help with skin rashes. In general, any extracts from this plant are useful for sensitive skin prone to irritation. Therefore, for women, the berry is a very valuable product.

• Medlar useful for men who smoke and are overweight.

A freshly picked berry is completely tasteless, and a stale berry loses its beneficial properties, so you should let it rest a bit before eating it.

Harm and contraindications

Contraindications to the use of medlar:

• Undesirable to eat unripe fruits.
• Not recommended for use when acute diseases Gastrointestinal tract, stomach ulcers, diseases of the pancreas, with increased acidity (since the berry is sour).
• Before you start feeding your child with this berry, you need to check it for an allergic reaction. If, after taking one berry, the rash does not appear, then the body has a normal tolerance to the product and it is safe. These recommendations also apply to breastfeeding mothers. It is not advisable for a child to eat medlar until he is 1.5 years old.
• Fresh medlar seeds are poisonous, since they contain hydrocyanic acid, but if they are ground and roasted, they are an excellent substitute for almonds.

growing at home

The plant is undemanding to the soil. A tree planted in a bright sunny place will bear more fruit.
It should be remembered that for one plant you need to free up an area of ​​\u200b\u200b1.5x1.5 m in your garden.

Dry and damaged branches should be removed and crown formed. Periodically fertilize the plant and treat with insecticides.

At home, it is convenient to grow Japanese medlar. It reproduces by seeds and vegetatively. Inside the fruit there are 1-8 seeds. Seedlings sprout quite quickly and actively develop. In one pot, you can plant several seeds for an unusual composition. Young plants can be cultivated at home in the winter garden.

Plant the seeds in one container, bury them shallowly in the ground, and water well. The pot should be covered with plastic wrap and placed in a warm place. To prevent mold, you need to ventilate the seedlings every day and blot the condensate. When the earth dries out, it is worth moistening the top layer with water from a spray bottle. The first shoots should be expected in about a month, after which the film can be removed and placed in a bright place, for example, on a windowsill.

It is necessary to water the medlar well, especially in summer, not allowing the earth to dry out. Every 2 weeks you need to feed the developing plant.

If the Japanese medlar is not limited in growth, then it can grow up to 1.5 m.

The tree lends itself well to pruning and shaping, so it can be cared for in the same way as a bonsai.

Actively growing young plants need to be transplanted once a year, when they get stronger and slow down in growth - the procedure can be repeated after 3-4 years. But the top layer of the earth in any case needs to be replaced every year.

Domestic Japanese medlar blooms and bears fruit, starting from 4-5 years of age.

Medlar is an exotic fruit, which, nevertheless, is often found on store shelves. What are the benefits and harms of medlar - interest Ask for those who have never tasted such a fruit.

Medlar: what kind of fruit is it

Botanically speaking, the fruit plant belongs to the Rosaceae family. Historically, China is considered its homeland. There are two types of plants - Japanese and Caucasian, or German, medlar. Despite belonging to the same genus, they are fundamentally different from each other. AT fresh most often the fruits of the Japanese fruit plant are used, the Caucasian medlar can be found in confectionery.

Outwardly, the yellow-orange fruit is very similar to an apricot - it is easy to confuse them. It is called by different names - lokva, or shesek, or biwa. In all cases, the same fruit is meant.

The plant belongs to the category of evergreens, so the medlar tree is often used in landscape design. But, since great benefits are hidden in the fruits of the fruit, it is interesting to consider it from a culinary and medicinal point of view.

The taste of the fruit depends on the type of plant. If we are talking about Japanese medlar, then it resembles rather a quince or an ordinary pear and tastes sweet or slightly sour. And here German medlar characterized by pronounced sour, tart and astringent taste. Only a big lover of the exotic will eat it fresh.

Composition and calories

The benefits of medlar are hidden in its composition - the pulp of the fruit is filled with the most essential vitamins for human health. By eating a few berries, you can get large quantities:

• vitamin P and PP;
• vitamin C;
• vitamin A;
• trace elements sodium and potassium.

Also, the fruits of the plant contain natural sugar, pectins, natural fruit acids.

The energy value is very small - only 47 calories are present in 100 g of delicious Japanese loquat. Nutritional beneficial properties are represented mainly by carbohydrates, which are more than 10 g in medlar. Small proportions are occupied by proteins and fats - 0.43 g and 0.2 g, respectively.

What is useful medlar for the body

How exactly is the benefit exotic fruit? Vitamin-rich fruits contribute to:

• normalization of blood pressure;
• strengthening of blood vessels;
• improvement of the heart rate;
• improving the body's ability to self-regenerate;
• boosting immunity.

Also, the fruit can serve as a prophylactic against oncology. Beneficial features exotic fruits rejuvenate the body and bring vigor.

Advice! Even after cooking, the fruits are preserved valuable properties- for example, medlar compote is useful. But in order to maximize the benefits, it is recommended to eat the fruit fresh.

For men and women

The product benefits men and women interested in their attractiveness and reproductive health. Its fruits allow you to stay young longer, improve skin condition, insure against the appearance of early wrinkles.

A positive effect on blood vessels is significant for women, as it facilitates periods of menstruation. And for men, the benefits are expressed in the fact that the fruit helps maintain potency and prevents the development of prostatitis.

For pregnant women and breastfeeding

Juicy fruit is perfect for consumption during the period of bearing a child. The benefits can be enormous - the fruits of the medlar will be able to maintain a vitamin balance in a woman's body.

Important! Be sure to consult your doctor before using medlar! For us, this is an exotic fruit, intolerance or allergy may occur. A woman's body is especially vulnerable during pregnancy and lactation.

For weight loss

Exotic fruits are great to include in your dietary ration. There are almost no calories in medlar, but dietary fiber it contains more than enough. Due to this, rapid saturation occurs and bowel function improves.

Can children have medlar

Vitamins and microelements are very important for the healthy development of a child - therefore, fruits can be given to children. True, it is better to start feeding a baby with medlar after 3 years and after consulting a doctor.

Sometimes fruit can cause allergies. Therefore, for the first time, it is worth giving the child only a couple of berries - and follow the reaction of the body.

The use of medlar in folk medicine

The beneficial properties of the fruit do not just improve general state health at regular use. The fruits are used as folk remedies for targeted treatment of ailments. It has a particular benefit Caucasian medlar, the fruits of which are:

• serve as a good laxative - if you choose a ripe medlar;
• stop diarrhea - if you eat slightly unripe fruits with indigestion;
• quickly increase insulin in the blood and lower sugar levels;
• help to cough up with colds, as they dilute sputum;
• serve as an effective diuretic;
• align blood pressure with its sharp fluctuations.

The fruit is effective as a cleanser - adding it to the diet removes cholesterol, toxins and even heavy metals from the body. Loquat tincture can serve as a good pain reliever for abdominal cramps.

Use in cosmetology

Since the fruits of an exotic fruit contain many astringent components, antioxidants and vitamin A, medlar is actively used to create cosmetic masks and creams. Its extract can be found in many products aimed at smoothing wrinkles and eliminating acne.

You can also create home care products from Japanese and Caucasian medlars. For example:

• use ground pulp ripe fruits, carefully crushed seeds and honey for a gentle scrub;
• mix puree from the pulp of several berries with peach and olive oil- and make a nourishing moisturizing mask.

If you apply masks with medlar on your face at least 2-3 times a week, soon the skin will become much softer and gain elasticity, and small wrinkles will be smoothed out without a trace.

Loquat leaves: healing properties

For treatment and skin care, not only the pulp of ripe fruit fruits is used. Great benefit enclosed in the leaves of the plant of both varieties - Japanese and Caucasian. The leaves also contain a lot of valuable substances - antioxidants, tannins, absorbents.

• A decoction of the leaves of the plant helps with diarrhea. A handful of leaves is poured with boiling water, insisted for 4 hours, then filtered and drunk - a few sips half an hour before meals.
• You can take such an infusion with a healthy intestine - just for prevention. The tool will help reduce cholesterol and remove toxins.
• Tincture from the leaves of an exotic plant has a mild analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. It will be of great benefit in joint ailments.
• A decoction based on medlar leaves is good for colds. The tool fights viruses and infections, helps to reduce the temperature.
• A decoction of the leaves of a fruit plant can be washed in the morning. The tannins in its composition will even out the relief of the skin, make it a little lighter, cleanse and narrow the pores.

Important! Only mature leaves can be used for medicinal purposes - the young leaves of the plant contain toxic substances.

Medlar bone: useful properties

The stone of an exotic fruit - both Japanese and German - also has benefits. It can effectively replace the usual coffee in the diet. If you dry it properly, grind it thoroughly, and then fry it, then fine pollen can be brewed in boiling water.

The bone can compete with coffee drink both in taste - they are very similar - and in properties. The tincture will invigorate the body in the same way.

Important! The bones of the plant can be eaten only in processed form - after drying and roasting. Fresh seeds are poisonous.

Medlar in cooking

The simplest way to use fruit in cooking is to eat fresh fruits Japanese loquat as light dessert. But the berries of an exotic plant can be used in other ways. For example, they are brewed delicious compotes and make juices that retain all the benefits of fresh fruit.

You can make medlar jam - there should be exactly 2 times more berries by weight than sugar. You can add to this jam to taste. additional ingredients- for example, lemon, cinnamon or cloves.

Especially often cooking the Caucasian medlar is exposed. This is due to the fact that fresh sourish berries are not as pleasant in taste as the fruits of Japanese medlar.

• Medlar is a common component of various desserts.
• The berries of the plant are found in cakes, pastries and pies.
• Cut berries are often added to salads if they want to sweeten them a little.
• They become very unusual meat dishes combined with pieces of this fruit.

How to eat loquat fruit

Faced with exotic fruits for the first time, many people wonder - how to eat an unusual fruit?

• Before eating, it is customary to cut the fruit in half and remove the bone from the core.
• If the fruit is unripe or belongs to a variety with a peel increased density, then it is cut with a knife so as not to spoil the impression of the fruit.
• It is also recommended to remove the peel from a ripe berry, but if it is quite soft, then this is not a prerequisite.

Harm and contraindications

For most people, fruit only benefits. But he also has contraindications.

• There is exotic fruits not recommended for chronic stomach problems - ulcers, gastritis, pancreatic diseases. Like many other fruits, medlar is highly acidic and can provoke flare-ups.
• Before eating a fruit, you need to make sure that it does not cause allergies. Check it out in a standard way- they try literally 1-2 berries and wait for several hours, observing the reaction of the body.

Attention! The fruit will be harmful even in the absence of contraindications if you eat too many fruits. The average daily allowance for an adult is only 5-6 pieces.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of medlar - a question correct use this fruit. If there is no allergy to fruits, and the stomach does not have hypersensitivity, then you can use the fruit in any form without fear of negative consequences.

Was this article helpful to you?

Medlar is a subtropical plant belonging to the Rosaceae family. The most common are two types:

• Medlar Caucasian (German).
• Japanese medlar.

This article will focus on the medlar, the photo of which is presented below.

The Caucasian and Japanese medlar differ significantly from each other. It reaches a height of six meters, but if grown at home, it can only grow up to two meters. She has sweet and delicious fruits, which contain a large number of vitamins and nutrients.

Caucasian medlar is a tree with a well-developed trunk, 20 centimeters in diameter shedding leaves in winter. It may be in the form of a shrub.

It begins to bloom at the end of May. The fruits of this plant ripen in autumn, are red-brown in color and become edible after frost. The taste of the pulp is sweet and sour. The shape of the fruit is usually spherical or oval. One fruit has several seeds. They remain on the branches all winter.

Caucasian medlar is a winter-hardy plant, can grow even in temperate latitudes. She has a long growing season, lasting until the first frost, so young shoots in the cold suffer significantly. A photo of the Caucasian medlar is shown below.

Features of Japanese medlar

The Japanese loquat is an evergreen tree. Its height is 3-5 meters. The leaves are quite large, reaching 25 cm long and 8 cm wide. The shape is oblong-oval. The tops of the leaves are glossy and dark green, while the undersides are greenish gray and velvety.

Its main feature is that the period of flowering and fruiting falls on completely different dates than all garden plants. The flowering period lasts from September to March, and the fruits ripen in late May - early June.

Shoots and inflorescences are covered pubescence. Its flowers have several shades, which depend on the variety, they are very fragrant, reminiscent of almonds.

The fruits are pear-shaped, spherical, flattened and oval. They have a pleasantly sweet taste.

Japanese loquat is a heat-loving plant. At temperatures below -15, it dies, so it is grown in the southern regions. A photo of the Japanese medlar is shown below.

Medlar Caucasian and Japanese have common characteristics:

• Shade-tolerant;
• drought resistant;
• Undemanding to the soil;
• Self fertile.

The taste of fruits and the beneficial properties of medlar

The fruits of both species are used for fresh food. The fruits of the Japanese medlar are very amazing in taste and reminiscent of apple, strawberry and apricot simultaneously. Germanic medlar has tart fruits, but with the onset of the first frost, they acquire a very pleasant sweet-sour taste, similar to an apple.

The fruits of both types are used to make jam, jelly, jam, marmalade and other sweets, and are also used as an additive to drinks. Japanese medlar has fermented juice, in which the alcohol content reaches four percent. If you overtake it, you get vodka. The fruits of the Caucasian medlar are used for pickling, they make vinegar.

The chemical composition and properties of the fruits of these two varieties differ, but not by much. They contain:

• sucrose;
• fructose;
• glucose;
• malic acid;
• Vitamin C.

Young unripe fruits contain tannins in large quantities. They are applied in folk medicine as a remedy for diarrhea. The bark and leaves of both species have a similar medicinal property , but ripe fruits, on the contrary, are used as a mild laxative. A tincture of the leaves is used to gargle with colds. A decoction of the leaves is able to stop the blood.

Japanese medlar is used as an ornamental plant and is often grown indoors.

reproduction

Reproduction occurs in various ways.

seed way

Seeds are soaked for one day before planting. If this is a southern region, then the seeds are sown directly into the ground, and in regions with a temperate climate, a seedling method is used.

Sowing seeds in the ground at the end of October- beginning of November. If the seedling method is used, then the seeds must be germinated in a well-lit room with a temperature of about +10 degrees in the ground mixed with humus, peat, soddy soil, sand and deciduous soil in equal proportions. Seeds begin to germinate only after a year.

Vegetative way

The Caucasian medlar is propagated by layering. Autumn is a favorable period for this. Reproduction occurs in the standard way, when the branches for layering are bent and attached to the ground, making an incision on the bark.

In order for the plant to take root well, the soil is moistened. Within 2 years, layering should take root., during this time they should form a well-developed root system and a few escapes. Separate and transplant them only after the leaves fall.

Japanese loquat is propagated by cuttings. A cutting is taken from a branch of last year's growth with two developed nodes. The leaves are cut in half, which helps to reduce the evaporation of moisture, powdering the cuts with wood ash. This helps to avoid the formation of rot and protects against the penetration of pathogens.

When the cutting is rooted in a pot, the bottom is sprinkled with a thick layer of drainage. The stalk is planted to a depth of 4-5 centimeters strictly vertical. After that, it is abundantly moisturized.

Garden varieties of both species are propagated by grafting on quince, hawthorn and pear.

Landing and care

Growing medlar is easy, the most important thing is proper care only then can a good harvest be obtained. They plant it in spring or autumn on a site where it is necessary to destroy all weeds in advance. The soil is fed with bone meal and mineral fertilizers. A stake is driven into the ground, and a tree is subsequently tied to it.

A hole is dug large enough for the roots to freely enter. The soil is crushed and mulched with a layer of manure or compost. Under this cover, the soil remains moist and cool. Medlar needs water abundantly, but only with settled water. During the first two years after planting, it is necessary to cut off half the conductors of skeletal branches. In the next two years, pruning is done only a quarter of the length. An adult tree can not be pruned.

Medlar is a Japanese relative of our hawthorn, quince, and also pear. Outwardly similar to a plum or peach. It tastes like something between a pear and a quince. She has the same juicy, crispy flesh with 3 or 4 seeds. If you carelessly eat, then you can even sprinkle with ripe pulp.

Medlar is a fruit that came to Europe from China. But before Europe, he managed to visit Japan. Therefore, the full biological name of the medlar is Japanese. In the Caucasus, it is simply called "bumps".

The fruit is bright orange. Ripe fruits peel off easily. Medlar is very fleshy, juicy, sweet and sour, but low in calories and high in fiber and potassium. A very popular fruit in Italy. There, medlar is eaten raw, and they also cook jam, marmalade, add it to various culinary products. Yogurt with its taste is very popular among Italians.

Even when it is hot, the medlar juice inside the fruit remains pleasantly cool. On hot days they are cool. And if you eat 1 - 2 fruits before the beach - you will be provided with a uniform tan.

The fruits have always been very popular, but before they were eaten mainly for medicinal purposes. Medlar useful properties are very rich and varied. The fruit was used to improve the whole body, but especially for the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract.

Even a long time ago, they began to eat medlar to keep the body in shape. This fruit did not bypass men, everyone knows it positive influence to male power.

Trees are excellent honey plants. The flowers are fragrant, their smell is reminiscent of bitter almonds.

Medlar useful properties: chemical composition

This exotic-looking fruit, according to chem. composition is similar to the usual apple. Most of it is apple and lemon acid- up to 70%. As well as sugar, vitamin C, aromatic substances, phytoncides, etc.

The uniqueness of the loquat is in the high content of beta-carotene. Decaying one molecule of beta-carotene turns into two molecules of vitamin A. And this is our good vision. Vitamin A is necessary for the formation of rhodopsin, in fact, thanks to him, we can see. Vitamin A is especially important for twilight (night) vision. The content of vitamin A in medlar is simply huge - 1.5 mg per 100 grams. For example, carrots contain 0.9 mg per 100 grams.

Medlar in its composition has fiber. It improves the digestion of food. Promotes proper digestion of food. Reduces the feeling of hunger due to swelling in the stomach.

Loquat fruits contain almost all B vitamins. And these are water-soluble vitamins that are not synthesized by the body itself. Them daily allowance must be obtained from outside. By and large, they all take part in cellular metabolism. Loquat contains thiamine, pyridoxine, riboflavin, nicotinic and folic acids. And this is the correct growth and development of red blood cells, normal work nervous system, a good metabolism, or rather the synthesis of proteins and fats.

Loquat has a high content of potassium. And this is muscle contraction, including the heart, as well as the transmission of nerve impulses. Regulates acid-alkaline balance.

To eliminate diarrhea, green medlar fruits are suitable. An unripe product knits in taste, but at the same time holds the stool together well.

With prolonged constipation, colitis, swelling, gas formation, on the contrary, ripe medlar is suitable. In addition, it improves liver function, promotes the removal of bad cholesterol.

Medlar has bright bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and antipyretic properties. Ripe berries are very useful for people with diseases of the cardiovascular and urinary systems. Medlar improves heart function, lowers blood pressure, cleanses blood vessels. It also helps to remove salts, sand or stones from the kidneys.

Loquat leaves are very valuable. They include a natural adsorbent - amygdoline. This substance cleanses the body of harmful substances: toxins, heavy metals, slags. Pectins, which are part of the medlar, remove radionuclides. A decoction of dry bark is an excellent antibacterial agent for the treatment of the oral cavity. A decoction is shown for fluxes, bleeding, paradentosis, and also angina.

Like any berry or fruit, medlar is dietary product nutrition. 100 grams contains 44 kcal, but thanks to fiber, long time there is no feeling of hunger.

Thanks to vitamin C, medlar helps to improve immunity. Fruit is shown in autumn - winter period to fight colds. ripe pulp removes phlegm from the lungs, soothes a prolonged cough, reduces shortness of breath. Useful fruit for bronchial asthma.

For the treatment of colds, the most effective alcohol infusion of medlar.

For cooking you will need:

• 7 - 8 ripe fruits
• 100 gr. vodka

Free the fruit from the pits and cut into slices. Break the bones and put them together with the pulp in a glass jar. Pour the contents with vodka and insist in a dark place for 3 days. Store in refrigerator with closed lid. Drink 1 tbsp. l. 2 times a day.

Especially useful for bronchitis, asthma, cough, etc. Combine internal reception with rubbing.

Medlar is a powerful natural antioxidant. All thanks to vitamin A, C, as well as the flavonoids contained in it. Excessive oxidation of the body is a big problem. An acidic environment is the basis for the development of various foci of inflammation, a paradise for the development of diaphoretic microorganisms.

In addition to all of the above, medlar is rich in minerals: calcium, potassium, zinc, selenium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper.

Daily use juicy fruit protects us from serious illness - diabetes. Because it stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin.

The pulp of the medlar is very useful for the skin of the face, to preserve its youth and elasticity. Vitamin A is called the beauty vitamin for a reason. And the medlar is the champion in its content.

Fresh pulp - natural cream for face. Medlar pulp will moisturize the face, remove dryness, nourish, relieve puffiness, improve the passage of oxygen, and rejuvenate the cells.

• Contraindications:

• Increased acidity of the stomach.
• Gastric ulcer.
• An allergic reaction is possible.

Loquat properties: useful leaves and bark

Leaf tea is very popular in Japan and China. This is due to the fact that this tea is a good antiviral agent. It is good expectorant and treats cough, helps with sore throat.

Loquat leaf tea is easy to prepare. As usual, they are poured with boiling water, let it brew for a while. Honey can be added if desired.

Therefore, if you are lucky enough to be near a medlar tree, do not be too lazy to pick the leaves and dry them for the winter. This is an amazing cold remedy.

Loquat leaves can be brewed in a mix with other ingredients, for example, ginger root, licorice root, mint, basil, raspberry leaf, etc.

The fact is that phytoncides containing medlar leaves in the leaves contribute to the production of antibodies. Therefore, the body heals itself.

Leaf tea also cleanses the blood of sugar and cholesterol. Improves its composition and liquefies the structure. Loquat leaves contribute to the preservation of minerals. This is very important during the summer. With “soft” bones or a lack of minerals, tea from medlar leaves is what you need. In addition, it relieves the inflammatory process in the joints.

If you are lucky enough to get the medlar bark, do not be lazy and make a decoction. This is excellent remedy for oral care.

Medlar compote: recipe

• 4 ripe fruits.
• 1 l. water.
• 1/3 lemon.
• 150 g sugar.
• mint.

Bring water to a boil. Add 150 gr. Sahara. Medlar cut in the meantime in half. We do not take out the bones. Add fruit to boiling water sweet water. After boiling, squeeze the lemon juice. Boil for 5-10 minutes and turn off. After that, we transfer the fruits of the medlar into a prepared jar and fill them with syrup. Put 3-4 mint leaves with a stem on top. Cover the container with a lid.

After cooling, you can drink. And if you use a sterile jar, you can make a blank for the winter. Then mint is thrown into boiling compote for a couple of minutes for sterilization.