NOVEMBER FOOD OF THE MONTH: POMEGRANATE

• Taste: Sweet, Astringent, Sour

• Temperature: Cooling

• Post-Digestive Effect: Building

• Dosha: Vata, Pitta, Kapha pacifying (tri-doshic but especially good for pittas)

• Qualities:  Light, Cooling

• Properties: Anti-inflammatory (reduces inflammation), Digestive (strengthens digestion), Blood Tonic (strengthens the blood), Liver Tonic (supports the liver), Heart Tonic (strengthens the heart), Hemostat (stops bleeding), Antioxidant (stops oxidation which damages cells), Nervine (calms and nourishes the nervous system)

• How to prep:

  • To cut: cut off the stem so you can see the seeds inside. Cut along the white parts, longways, down the sides. Then, use your hands to open it up like a flower. It should look like the picture above!

  • To get the seeds out (2-minute method): put the opened pomegranate in a big bowl of water and then peel the seeds out with your fingers while it is submerged in water. Strain and remove any white bits once strained.

• Best flavor combos: apples, avocado, cinnamon, ginger, lemon, lime, mint, grapefruit, olives/ olive oil, oranges, walnuts

• Season: September - February

You may have seen an abundance of pomegranates at your local farmers market or grocery store because they are in peak season right now!

I have used pomegranate extensively in my practice while working 1:1 with clients. It is not just a yummy fruit, it is a medicinal powerhouse.

Did you know pomegranates have 3x more antioxidants than other well-known sources such as red wine and green tea?

Did you also know that recent studies show pomegranates have an anti-cancer and anti-cholesterol effect?

Did you ALSO know the fresh juice has been traditionally used to stop a cough and sore throat?

The juice is known as an ANUPANA in Ayurveda. Think of an anupana as a vehicle which carries an herb to it's intended place - like a bus carrying passengers to certain tissues of the body. Pomegranates have an affinity for the lymphatic tissue, blood tissue, and reproductive tissue. This means, they can help reduce inflammation in digestion, skin, blood, boost immunity, and even ease female health concerns such as excess bleeding, cramps, leucorrhoea, bacterial vaginosis and more.

I love recommending pomegranate juice to my pitta clients struggling with digestive issues, skin, or female health concerns. It truly hits all three of these bases - bringing a cooling and soothing energy to these tissues. I find it especially helpful for those who are going through peri-menopause as pomegranates support healthy levels of estrogen, can be used to cool hot flashes, and support the liver throughout hormonal changes.

The rind is also very interesting. It can be dried and steeped as a tea. Drinking pomegranate peel tea is extremely astringent - meaning it is drying. This can be helpful for those with loose frequent bowel movements or diarrhea. This would NOT be indicated for someone with constipation or someone who has a lot of vata due to it's drying nature. Pomegranate peel tea can be used externally as well - as a douche for leucorrhea, BV, or excessive discharge. It may even be helpful as a skin toner for those with especially oily skin.

Even though pomegranate is cooling and great for pittas, it goes great with many warming foods and spices which help to offset the cold, dry, fall weather in November. So if you are making a juice and it is cold where you are, feel free to pair it with some freshly grated ginger, ground ginger, and/or cinnamon powder. OR add it to your apple cider. OR just simply eat the seeds as a snack.

Regardless, you can check out these mind-body balancing pomegranate recipes we have here in the kitchen:

References

• Reference: Khalsa, K. P. S., & Tierra, M. (2008). The Way of Ayurvedic Herbs: The most complete guide to natural healing and health with traditional Ayurvedic herbalism. Lotus Press.

• Pole, S. (2012). Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice. Singing Dragon.

• Page, K. (2014). The vegetarian flavor bible. Little, Brown and Company.

POMEGRANATE JUICE

POMEGRANATE JAM

SORE THROAT & COUGH POMEGRANATE DRINK