Quince, what kind of fruit is it, the beneficial properties of quince for the human body. Quince

An amazing and mysterious quince fruit, a symbol of love and fertility. It still causes controversy among historians and researchers.

Based on the legends about the fruit, they argue that the sinful fruit that Eve ate and the apple of discord was not an apple, but a quince.

It was this fruit that subsequently led to the downfall of Troy. Quince what kind of fruit?

The ancient plant of the same name has been known to man for 4 thousand years. It is believed that this plant grew in the North Caucasus and was later transported to Asia, Ancient Rome and Greece.

Myths and legends indicate that the ancient Greeks adored the quince fruit for its aroma, bright, juicy taste and used it in their rituals.

Quince, what is this fruit?

Botanical description. Quince belongs to the same Rosaceae family as apples and pears. The fruit grows on a deciduous tree or shrub, which can reach a height of up to 5 meters.

The trunk of the tree is covered with dark bark with a reddish and brown tint. The leaves are oval, sometimes to broadly elliptical, with an obtuse apex and heart-shaped base. In spring, quince blooms with large, up to 5 cm flowers with a white or pinkish corolla.

Now quince is distributed mainly in the southern regions. Russian Federation. It grows especially well in the Caucasus, Crimea and the Caspian regions.

The quince fruit is a false apple, has a dense texture, covered with fluffy skin. Cultivated varieties differ from wild ones not only in high yield and fruit weight from 600 grams to 1 kg, but also in taste.

Not as sour or as strongly knit as wild quince varieties. In the pulp are numerous stony cells, like a pear. In terms of its healing properties, cultivated quince is no different from wild quince. In Russian stores, mainly Chinese quince is sold.

Chemical composition

The composition of the fruit is famous for its high nutritional value, the chemical composition of quince is different, it depends on the plant variety, conditions and place of growth. But still, the fruits are rich per 100 g of fruit: carbohydrates - 9.8 g (sucrose, fructose, glucose), water accounts for up to 86 g, up to 2 g of fiber, up to 1 g of organic acids, 0.8 g proteins, and fats - 0.6 g. Fruits are rich in protopectins, contain a small amount of essential oil.

The fruit pulp is rich in vitamins PP, B2, B1, C, A, especially rich in macro and microelements: magnesium and iron, calcium and potassium, sodium and phosphorus.

Pelargon and ethyl ether are present in the skin of the fruit, which gives them a peculiar smell.

The seeds are rich in sugars, fructose, fatty oils, mucus, starch, tannins, essential oils, vitamins, malic and citric acids, glycerides, emulsins, contain the poisonous substance amygdalin, so the seeds are not recommended for food.

Quince juice, in addition to water, contains acids, sugars, and gum.

The nutritional value

100 g of fruit pulp contains up to 46 kcal. Quince fruits and peel contain pectins, which have an enveloping property, which is important in case of poisoning, they adsorb all harmful substances, which are then excreted from the body.

It was pectins that glorified quince as a source of jelly products: marmalade, jam, jam.

How to choose and store quince

When choosing a fruit, pay attention to the integrity of the fruit. Choose larger quince so that the skin is evenly colored, without green spots on it. Fruits are sensitive to impacts and dents form on them, which serve as the beginning of fruit spoilage.

Before use, quince is well washed with a sponge, removing hairs from the skin. Quince is well stored in the refrigerator, up to 2 months, wrapped in polyethylene.

Quince: useful properties and contraindications

Quince is characterized by such medicinal beneficial features:

• antiseptic,
• antiulcer,
• diuretic,
• restorative.

It has been used as a medicine since ancient times. It has been used and is used in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and circulatory system. It has mild fixing and astringent properties, which are used to heal the intestines, indigestion.

The pulp contains fiber, which has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the intestines, which is a useful property for people with extra pounds - quince has healing properties.

The restorative property of quince makes the body immune to viral and respiratory diseases.

The pulp is used for severe bleeding. It not only restores normal blood clotting, but also participates in hematopoiesis.

Due to the high content of easily digestible iron in quince fruits (100 g contains 3000 mcg of iron), this is almost double the norm of an adult, quince is used for the prevention and treatment of anemia. The copper contained in the fruits contributes to the improvement of the blood composition and the increase in the level of hemoglobin in the blood.

These beneficial properties of quince must be remembered by all women, especially during pregnancy, when there is often an iron deficiency in the body, it is convenient to feed small children (you can make mashed potatoes or quince syrup).

This heavenly fruit has another amazing property, it can be used as an antiemetic, quince compote relieves nausea well.

Pectins and tannins give quince fruits anti-inflammatory, hemostatic and antiseptic properties.

Therefore, the use of dishes from the fruits of this fruit will help to avoid vitamin deficiency, which is especially important in the conditions of a long Russian winter. Fruits without processing are stored for a long time, until the beginning of April.

The quince fruit has been used since ancient times for boredom and depressive states. Today, traditional medicine recommends eating quince jam to maintain the nervous system, which has a beneficial effect on the psyche.

Improves the mood and aroma emanating from the fruits, which has been confirmed by modern research. The whole point is that essential oils found in the skin of quince have potent antidepressant properties. And the presence of antioxidants allows you to quickly pass the recovery period after stress and illness.

quince juice

The juice has the same beneficial properties as the pulp of the quince fruit. Juice with pulp is used as an astringent and diuretic and hemostatic. It is a source of vitamins and vital trace elements, easily digestible sugars, organic acids, tannins and essential oils.

In the countries of Central Asia, condensed quince juice is used, which is obtained by evaporation. If you continue the process of evaporating and drying the juice with pulp, you can get marmalade and marshmallow.

Quince fruit juice is used for lotions for anal fissures and rectal prolapse. The use of quince juice improves the condition of the gastrointestinal tract with colitis and gastroenteritis, with flatulence, reduces and relieves nausea.

Application in traditional medicine

• Seed decoction. 10 g of crushed seeds must be poured with a glass of boiling water, boiled in a water bath for a quarter of an hour, then cooled and strained thoroughly. Take a decoction of 100 ml 3 times a day before meals for gastrointestinal ailments and sore throat, dry cough, skin diseases and burns.
• Leaf decoction. 5 grams of leaves should be poured with 1 cup of hot water, boiled in a water bath for 15 minutes, cooled, strained, squeezing the raw material, and add the evaporated water. It is recommended to take the composition 2 tablespoons before meals 3-4 times a day for inflammatory diseases of the intestines and stomach, during asthmatic attacks.
• Leaf infusion. 1 st. pour a spoonful of leaves with a glass of boiling water, boil for 5-10 minutes, insist for an hour, then use it against sweating feet.
• Fruit infusion: 1. Cough, sore throat, quince fruit cut into small pieces should be poured with a glass of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes. You need to drink 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day.
• Second recipe. 2 fruits must be poured with three glasses of water, boil for 10 minutes on low heat, leave for an hour. It is recommended to take 0.5 cup 3 times a day before meals for swelling and diarrhea.
• Internal leathery partitions . 1 st. a spoonful of dry leathery partitions of the quince fruit should be brewed with a glass of boiling water, insist in a thermos for 3 hours, take two tablespoons during the day. The tool normalizes digestion, helps in the treatment of dysbacteriosis.
• Infusion of flowers. 1 st. a spoonful of dried quince flowers is poured with a glass of boiling water, insisted for ten hours, taken with the addition of honey, 0.5 cup three times a day.
• fruit syrup: quince, cut into small pieces, must be poured with water and boiled until soft, then squeeze out the juice and continue cooking until a thick liquid is obtained. Delicious and healthy syrup is indicated for anemia.

Decoctions of leaves or crushed bark prepared in the proportion of 1 teaspoon per glass of water, consumed after meals, for diseases of the heart and blood vessels, bronchial asthma, to increase appetite. If you do not know where to get leaves or bark, it does not matter. They, like any other medicine, can be purchased at a pharmacy.

Application of quince seeds

For medicinal purposes, not only fruits are used, but also decoctions of leaves, bark, infusions of quince seeds. Seeds are collected during the processing of fruits and dried at a temperature not exceeding 50 degrees. After that, infusions and decoctions are prepared from them: quince seeds are used.

Seeds have expectorant and enveloping, as well as mild laxative, antitussive, anti-inflammatory properties.

Everyone is familiar with the feature of drying up the throat during excitement. Especially when it is necessary to speak in front of an audience ... Traditional medicine advises to hold 2-3 quince seeds in your mouth for 30 minutes before speaking, without biting, which perfectly relieves this symptom of drying out.

You should not crack the seeds just because they contain the poisonous substance amygdalin, which, when ingested, is converted into cyanide (the strongest and most dangerous poison), which gives the seeds a bitter-tart taste. Of course, nothing terrible will happen from one or two grains, but it is still necessary to remember that poisons tend to accumulate.

Seed Treatment Recipes

The white shell of seeds containing mucus has medicinal properties. Here are some recipes from quince seeds:

• Recipe #1: 8 pieces of seeds need to pour 200 ml of boiling water and cook for 3 minutes. Drink a decoction should be 0.5 cup 3 times a day.
• When using a decoction of the seeds, hemoptysis and uterine bleeding are eliminated.
• Recipe #2: 5-10 grams of seeds must be boiled in 100 ml of water until mucus forms. It is recommended to take 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day.
• Mucous decoctions from the seeds are useful for the treatment of inflammation of the eyes, with tonsillitis, skin irritations, burns, as a laxative. Quince seeds are brewed as a tea and drunk with a dry, debilitating cough. Healing infusions are also used, effectively curing various ailments.
• Recipe number 3 : 10 g of quince seeds should be poured into 1 liter of cold water, insisted for 10 hours, strained and taken 1/2–1 cup 3–4 times a day for colitis.
• Seed infusion: 1 tablespoon of seeds should be poured with one glass of water at room temperature and shaken vigorously for a couple of minutes. Take orally 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day before meals.

What varieties of quince are the most popular

Russian breeders lead permanent job to improve the palatability of quince fruit, striving to ensure that people have the opportunity to enjoy the taste of a raw fruit picked from a twig. Many varieties of quince have already been bred, the most popular of them are:

• Khorezm apple-shaped and Portuguese,
• oily early and Angers,
• Mamarkand large-fruited and Ahmed-Jukum.

In addition to the listed varieties, Golden, Anzherska, Aurora, which can be eaten raw, have proven themselves well. The taste of these fruits has been improved, the trees bear fruit well (up to 60 kg per tree), are resistant to pests and adverse environmental conditions.

Varieties "Krasnoslobodskaya" and "Kaunchi -10" are juicy and sweet, with a pleasant aroma, with light yellow pulp of medium density.

But the quince "Collective" is also characterized by high productivity, resistance to frost, but it contains a lot of stony cells in the pulp. Choose the varieties you need and enjoy the beneficial properties of quince.

Contraindications for use

Like any other medicine, quince has contraindications for use. Contraindications are due precisely to the properties of quince: strong astringent fixing properties, so it is not eaten when:

• peptic ulcer,
• pregnancy,
• breastfeeding,
• constipation
• high blood clotting
• allergic reaction
• during menstruation.

If you have any doubts whether this fruit can or should not be eaten, consult your nutritionist. In some cases, there is also individual intolerance. Quince is not recommended for young children, as it contains tannic binders, and eating the fruit, even after processing, can cause intestinal obstruction, and this is a very serious disease.

The use of quince in cooking

It is interesting that the fragrant fruit is consumed only in processed form. The dense hard flesh and strong astringent taste with sourness do not contribute to the consumption of this healthy fruit in large quantities.

Therefore, for many it is a real discovery that quince is eaten. Prepared from quince: jams, conserves, marshmallows. Due to the high content of pectin in the pulp, marmalade can be prepared from quince fruits.

The use of quince is not limited to sweet dishes. It goes well with meat dishes. In the Caucasus, in the countries of Asia and Europe, there are many meat dishes to which quince is added.

It is fried, steamed, boiled and baked with all kinds of spices, vegetables and meat. It gives the dish an exquisite taste and aroma. With thermal and exothermic treatment (freezing), its shortcomings disappear. The astringent taste and firmness of the pulp decreases, but the nutrients and vitamins are preserved.

Quince is mainly used to make jams and jams, but many peoples preserve it in sweet syrup, add raw slices to borscht, getting exquisite sourness, add it to tea instead of lemon, rewarding themselves with a wonderful aroma.

In the East, quince fruits are stuffed with minced meat. The pulp is used for filling pies, baked quince is served with game meat and cheese.

In the Caucasus, the pulp of the fruit is used as a side dish for dishes, juices and dressings for second courses and even quince mustard are made from it.

Before eating, the fruits are peeled from the characteristic fluff on the skin. Since the skin itself contains many useful substances, it is left, and the fluff is removed with a wet sponge.

The core is not cut out, but the seeds are removed and consumed separately, as a medicinal or cosmetic product. Eating seeds is not recommended, as they contain amygdalin, which in the stomach turns into cyanide, that is, the strongest poison.

Cosmetic use

Quince is used not only for medicinal purposes, but also for cosmetic purposes. As a means to preserve youth and beauty, quince has been used for thousands of years.

• The fruits are rubbed on a grater and from the resulting mass they make face and body masks, reduce freckles and age spots.
• Masks from this fruit cleanse oily skin, treat acne and improve complexion.
• The tannins contained in the pulp of the fruit give the skin elasticity and smoothness.

Quince masks

The presence of fruit acids in quince fruits allows the use of fruit pulp for the preparation of cosmetic masks. They act as an antiseptic and drying agent, while nourishing the skin. The pulp is used as the main ingredient, vegetable oils, starch, egg yolk, various ground cereals, for example, oatmeal are added.

Mask for acne. One-component mask of quince pulp well relieves inflammation and redness in acne. Just grate the fruit on a fine grater and apply the pulp on your face. Hold for 10-15 minutes, rinse with water and lubricate the skin with your usual cream.

Mask for normal and combination skin. A small amount of crushed quince pulp is mixed with egg yolk and oatmeal brewed with boiling water, for this: pour oatmeal (2 tablespoons) with hot water (50 ml) and let it brew. Apply the mixture on your face for 10-15 minutes and rinse.

Mask for all skin. Mix quince pulp with any flour from cereals (oatmeal, buckwheat, rice, oatmeal) and add a little corn starch. The mask must be kept on the face for up to 20 minutes and washed off. After this mask, it is undesirable to go outside for an hour.

Scrub. Stone cells contained in the pulp of quince fruits are an excellent exfoliating agent, improving appearance skin, you can grind the pulp along with the seeds. The pulp is applied to the skin with massage movements, after a few minutes it is washed off and a nourishing cream is applied. The scrub is applied to the skin once a week.

Egg yolk lotion. Mix the juice of one quince fruit with equal amounts of camphor and medical alcohol (100 ml each). Beat the yolk and slowly introduce it into the alcohol-quince mixture. The lotion should be stored in the refrigerator, it gives the skin a velvety texture and removes oily sheen.

Facial tincture. Quince medium-sized cut into small pieces and pour 200 ml of vodka. Keep it in a dark place for two weeks, strain and add a tablespoon of glycerin. The tincture nourishes and cleanses the skin.

Infusion or decoction of seeds and leaves used to restore the natural color of hair, color gray hair, treat dandruff, oiliness and hair loss. All the same tannins will give the hair strength and healthy shine. Fruit juice is suitable as a nutritious top dressing for hair, thanks to the vitamins and minerals it contains.

Quince is an amazing fruit. Its beneficial properties are used not only to maintain internal health, but also the beauty of the skin. Just be aware of contraindications.

Be healthy, dear readers!

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Quince refers to such fruits that are only processed, and they are not eaten raw. It is a fruit that has external similarities with pear and apple at the same time. At the same time, its taste is tart, astringent, the texture is absolutely insipid, in general, there are few eaters for it.

But you can make excellent jams from it and even use quince in the treatment of certain diseases. All this and more will be discussed in this article.

For starters, you can get to know this fruit better. It grows on a tree of the same name. The plant is distributed almost everywhere and cultivated culturally.

In the wild, the fruits do not exceed the weight of the average apple, and if there is a certain care for the quince, the tree will thank the owner with fruits weighing up to two kilograms.

And now the question arises: why did it need to be cultivated at all, if the taste and texture leave much to be desired? It's all about its beneficial properties and the chemical composition of the fetus.

It contains vitamins of groups B, E, C, A, PP, various acids, macro- and microelements, essential oils, fructose, but the main component in this case is iron. The fact is that 100 g of quince contains its daily norm for a person.

Based on the chemical composition of quince, its useful properties and applications can be distinguished. I would like to note right away that not only quince fruits are used, but also the seeds inside them, since they also contain a lot of useful substances.

But these seeds can only be used as a whole and in no case should they be crushed, since the hydrocyanic acid contained in them will cause serious food poisoning.

So, the actions of quince on the body:

• relieves pain and inflammation;
• softens the skin;
• used as a bile and diuretic;
• excellent antioxidant;
• has an antimicrobial effect;
• strengthens the immune system;
• stops bleeding;
• used as an antiemetic;
• improves digestion and the condition of the gastrointestinal tract.

This is only an approximate list of useful properties, but thanks to them, quince is widely used for medicinal purposes and cosmetology. In the first case, its pulp, juice and seeds are used inside, and for external use they are used as the basis for compresses, lotions, creams and masks.

Contraindications

Quince also has its contraindications.

• It is not recommended to use it for people suffering from constipation.
• It can also harm the vocal cords.
• Well, it is necessary to take into account the possible manifestation of allergies, but this already applies to individual intolerance.

That's all, in other cases, the use of quince is allowed and encouraged. Now you can learn more about the action of quince and all options its use on the body of women, men and children.

For women quince is useful during pregnancy, as it has a diuretic effect and will help remove all toxins from the body. It's no secret that a woman "in position" may experience hemorrhoids. In this case, lotions based on quince will help. Also, women with a feeling of the uterus are recommended enemas from a decoction of quince.

For men quince is also very useful, in particular, to maintain their male "strength". Since quince improves the process of blood circulation, it has a good effect on potency. One of the factors to reduce it can serve as inflammation of the urethra and prostate gland. In these cases, quince will also help. After shaving, you can soothe irritation on the skin of the face with a decoction of the seeds of the fruit.

children the use of quince is recommended according to the age of the child. For example, up to one year it is served only baked, and then it can be eaten fresh, however, portions should be small. Perfectly replace quince tablets that bring down the temperature with a cold.

Due to its beneficial properties and effects on the human body, quince is widely used in non-traditional folk medicine and cosmetology. What specific home remedies can be prepared from it and for what diseases they should be taken, all this will be described below.

To begin with, examples of the use of quince in cosmetology and recipes will be considered that tell how to prepare cosmetics at home to improve the condition of the skin of the face and neck, hands, and hair.

Quince recipes for the beauty of the face, neck, hands, hair

Face and neck mask recipe for all skin types

To prepare the mask, you only need the pulp of one quince fruit, peeled from the skin and seeds. Grind it on a fine grater and mix with 1 tsp. oatmeal and 1 tsp. corn starch.

Apply the mixture on the face and neck area and wash off after 25 minutes with warm water. This mask nourishes the skin very well and makes it supple and elastic. Since the mask is universal, it will suit everyone.

Scrub recipe for face and neck

It has only two components: coarse-grained salt and quince fruit, peeled. Grind the seeds and pulp, mix everything and apply to the skin. Rub in the same way as a regular scrub, in circular motions for a couple of minutes. Then rinse with water and apply face cream. The skin will be cleansed, and the essential oils contained in quince will improve its appearance.

Recipe for strengthening hair

In this case, dried leaves of the quince tree are used. The recipe is simple: pour 100 g of leaves with a liter of boiling water and leave to infuse for one hour. It is advised to rinse your hair with this infusion up to three times a week.

Recipe for hands

It involves the creation of an alcohol-based quince tincture. Get an antibacterial liquid for rubbing the skin of the hands and cleansing it. To prepare it, you need to take a quince fruit, peeled from seeds and peel, and pour a glass of vodka or diluted alcohol. Leave the mixture for two weeks, then filter. After that, add glycerin in the amount of 1 tbsp to the resulting tincture.

Of course, not all recipes for using quince for cosmetic purposes are given here, in fact, there are a lot of them. In this case, methods are described in which a small amount of ingredients is used, which does not affect their effectiveness.

Recipes from traditional medicine quince

In folk medicine, the fruits, seeds, leaves, skin and even the bark of the quince tree are also very widely used. In order to verify this, you can familiarize yourself with several recipes against specific diseases.

Recipe I. With anemia

It is necessary to make syrup from the pulp of quince. You need to grind it into small pieces and cook. When the mass becomes soft, squeeze the juice and cook further to obtain its thick consistency.

Recipe II. In case of kidney dysfunction

In this case, it is recommended to include quince-based tea in the daily diet. Take 1 tbsp for a glass of boiling water. seeds and 1 tbsp. a spoonful of leaves, pour the specified amount of water and cook for five minutes. Then cool and strain through cheesecloth. Such tea should be consumed before meals at least 1 tbsp. three times a day.

Recipe III. With bronchial asthma

Quince leaves will help here. It is necessary to pour them in the amount of five pieces with boiling water and cook in a saucepan for about a quarter of an hour. Then remove from heat, cool and squeeze through gauze. Leave to infuse for several hours. Take 3 ... 4 tbsp. before meals three times a day. The water tincture itself is stored for no more than two days.

Recipe IV. For uterine bleeding

A decoction is prepared from dried quince fruits. You need to take it in 1 tbsp. a day before meals, and it is prepared as follows: pour 5 g of dry quince into 50 ml of boiling water.

Recipe V. With edema and diarrhea

Remove the skin and seeds from two quince fruits and cut into small pieces. Pour 3 cups of water in a saucepan and cook for 10 minutes over low heat. It is recommended to use the resulting decoction after an hour of infusion, half a cup a day before meals.

Recipe VI. To normalize the processes of digestion

Here it is supposed to use dry partition chambers of quince. Their 1 tbsp. it is necessary to brew in a glass of boiling water and leave to infuse in a thermos for at least three hours. Infusion take 2 tbsp. three times a day before meals.

Recipe VII. For gastric diseases

The easiest recipe. It is necessary to boil the peeled quince pulp and take 1 tbsp. before eating.

Quince Seed Recipes

Separately, I would like to talk about the use of quince seeds in folk medicine. As mentioned above, they cannot be obtained for ingestion, but at the same time, infusions and decoctions can also be made from whole seeds, since they, and especially the white part, contain a wide range of useful substances. Below are a few recipes using these seeds for various ailments.

Recipe I. For constipation

It is supposed to fill the seeds with cold water. The proportions of infusion from quince seeds and water are 1:20, respectively. Let it brew for several hours, and after this time, you can start using it twice a day.

Recipe II. With bronchitis

An infusion of quince seeds is also made in cold water. 1 tbsp Seeds pour a glass of water and shake the mixture for a few minutes. Infusion to use 4 tbsp. a day half an hour before meals.

Recipe III. With heavy periods

It is necessary to boil 8 pieces of seeds in 200 ml of boiling water for three minutes. It is recommended to drink such a decoction 3 times a day for ½ cup.

Recipe IV. For dry cough

Pour 10 g of seeds with 1 cup of boiling water and cook for up to 15 minutes in a water bath. Then cool the mixture and squeeze well. This decoction is recommended to be taken three times a day, 100 ml before meals.

Outdoor use

Above, the options for ingestion for various diseases were considered. But decoctions and infusions of quince and all its components can also be used for external use. For example, as lotions for dermatitis or burns.

To do this, you need fresh quince leaves (4 pieces) or, in dried form (1 tablespoon), brew in a glass of boiling water and insist for an hour. After the specified time, fold the bandage several times, soak in the resulting infusion and apply to the affected skin. However, I would like to immediately note that such lotions are not suitable for freshly opened wounds.

Another example of the external use of quince is rinsing the mouth with periodontal disease. To prepare the composition you will need:

1 tsp quince tree bark, previously crushed. Pour boiling water in the amount of 1.5 cups and cook everything together in a saucepan for 30 minutes. When the broth is ready, it must be cooled and filtered.

Quince will also help people with excessive sweating of the legs. In this case, warm baths are recommended. To do this, you need 1 tbsp. quince leaves and a glass of boiling water. Boil everything together for 10 minutes, cool slightly and pour into a bowl. It is recommended to soak the feet in this decoction for a quarter of an hour.

Video about the benefits and harms of quince

Japanese quince - benefit and harm

Separately, I would like to note such a variety of quince as Japanese quince. Now it is he who is popular with Russian gardeners. In this case, they are attracted by the unpretentiousness and frost resistance of this shrub.

As for the content of nutrients in fruits, their figure is 4 times higher than that of common quince. Therefore, it is often recommended to dilute its juice with water before drinking. You can also prepare a blank for the winter from it, which will retain all the beneficial properties of this fruit.

To prepare it, you will need peeled fruits, scrolled through a meat grinder, and sugar, take everything in a 1: 1 ratio. Mix all ingredients well and place in a jar with a lid. Store the composition in the refrigerator and consume in the amount of 1 tsp. a day with a glass of water.

In conclusion, I would like to say that many people refuse to use quince due to the fact that it is inedible in its raw form, but in vain. During heat treatment, quince acquires a sweet and pleasant taste. It is widely used in cooking not only for jams and preserves, but also for the preparation of various dishes and side dishes. Therefore, the taste of quince cannot be underestimated.

And what can we say about its beneficial properties and effects on the human body. Thus, you should not refuse quince, but you just need to know how to cook it correctly and for what purposes to use it.

Let's get acquainted with the ancient, but mysterious fruit - quince benefits and harms to the body, the composition of substances and contraindications, why it is useful for women and what diseases can be cured with it.

The fragrant fruit, somewhat reminiscent of an apple and a pear at the same time, has been known to mankind for more than 4,000 years. Mountainous Armenia is considered its homeland. Since ancient times, this fruit has been a symbol of love and fertility. Guessed? Of course it's quince!

Even though the tree is from southern latitudes, it perfectly tolerates frosts and grows in central Russia. Many do not like too hard fruits for their astringency and astringent properties, but they have heard about useful qualities.

The natural range of quince is the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Mediterranean. But its glory, as a culture, earned in Ancient Greece. There is an assumption that the "apple of paradise" and the "apple of discord" from ancient Greek mythology in fact - a yellow fragrant quince.

To confess to a Greek girl in love, it was enough to present this fruit to her. It was he who was considered a symbol of the couple, the fruits were thrown under the feet of the newlyweds with a wish of happiness and prosperity.

Quince grows on trees up to 5 m in height, the harvest season falls on the autumn months. Outwardly, the fruit is bright yellow in color, slightly elongated, at the same time reminiscent of an apple and a pear. Quince is covered with a light down, which is easily washed off with a sponge.

The fruits are quite heavy, sometimes weighing up to 2 kg. The pulp is hard, tart, practically devoid of juice. That is why raw quince is consumed little. But the jam from it turns out amazing!

Chaenomeles, or Japanese quince, is popular as an ornamental shrub with bright, abundant flowering. He is not afraid of frosts down to -25 degrees, drought-resistant and unpretentious. It is called "northern lemon". Its fruits are small, tasteless when raw, but edible - they are boiled, baked or used for medicinal purposes, because the benefits and harms of Japanese quince for the body do not differ at all from ordinary ones.

Chemical composition and nutritional value of the product

Quince is simply crammed with useful substances that practically do not disappear even after heat treatment. What is so rich in this amazing fruit?

1. Vitamins - A, PP, B, C and E.
2. Macro- and microelements - iron, phosphorus, copper, zinc, magnesium, potassium and calcium.
3. fructose and glucose.
4. Pectin.
5. organic acids and sugars.
6. Essential and fatty oils.
7. Tannins.

Quince is a low-calorie dietary product, just a godsend for those who want to lose weight. It contains a lot of fiber and dietary fiber, which contribute to weight loss.

100 grams of fruit contains:

• water - 84 g;
• ash - 0.8 g;
• proteins - 0.6 g;
• fats - 0.5 g;
• carbohydrates - 9.6 g.

Consider the benefits and harms of quince for health. The rich chemical composition leaves no doubt that the value of these fruits for humans is very high, which has been known since ancient treatises on health. Avicenna, famous doctor and philosopher of antiquity, advised to eat " Golden Apple» to strengthen the stomach, restore the liver and improve complexion. However, some features of quince can cause trouble.

Useful properties are as follows.

1. Anti-inflammatory and antiviral agent.
2. Promotes weight loss.
3. Liquefies and removes mucus from the bronchi.
4. Treats diseases of the digestive system: ulcers, indigestion, nausea and vomiting.
5. Antioxidant, sorbent, collects and removes toxins and harmful substances.
6. Reduces high blood pressure due to potassium, which relaxes blood vessels and reduces the load on the heart.
7. Lowers the level of bad cholesterol. The antioxidant does not allow fats to be oxidized and prevents the formation of fatty acids in the vessels.
8. Has anti-cancer properties. Destroys cancer cells and fights free radicals.
9. Increases hemoglobin, treats anemia.
10. Improves eyesight.
11. Helps with diabetes, normalizes sugar levels.
12. Favorably affects the skin and hair.
13. Supports male sexual health, acts as a prophylaxis of prostate diseases.

Harmful properties:

1. Irritates mucous membranes with villi on the skin. There is a sore throat, cough, the functions of the vocal cords are disturbed. Not recommended for singers, announcers and other professions whose voice is a professional instrument.
2. May cause intoxication if consumed with bones.
3. Contraindicated in: constipation, pleurisy, enterocolitis, allergies.
4. Not desirable with high blood clotting and during breastfeeding.
5. Cannot be used with medications. Quince is a good sorbent, which means it can negate all the effects of medicines.

Quince as medicine

The "Golden Apple" is a medicinal plant in literally all forms: fruits, seeds, leaves and tree bark - everything can be used to treat various ailments, which our ancestors actively used. The main medical properties of quince are hemostatic, astringent, antiemetic and expectorant.

When vomiting

Any component of quince will help with nausea, vomiting or toxicosis of pregnant women.

Drink quince compote, stir a spoonful of jam in water or tea, make a decoction of the leaves.

Cut the fruit into four parts, remove the seeds and bake in the microwave or oven until completely softened. Take several times a day in pieces.

Digestive problems

Indigestion and diarrhea immediately disappear after drinking quince infusion. It contains so many astringents and tannins, as well as sorbent components, that it will “bind” any diarrhea tightly.

Cut fresh quince into pieces with seeds and pour a liter of boiling water. It is better to insist in a thermos for at least an hour. Drink throughout the day and diarrhea will disappear.

If there is no fresh quince, then you can use dried leaves and even jam. In any form, quince retains its beneficial properties.

With bronchitis

Quince seeds consist of a peculiar substance, which, when dissolved in water, forms a slimy substance. If the seeds are poured with water and insisted, then you can get a jelly-like mass, which has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system and has an anti-inflammatory and softening effect.

For coughs and colds

Quince has an expectorant effect, liquefies sputum well, and great content vitamin C increases the chances of a quick recovery from colds and coughs.

1. Cut the fruit into small pieces and pour a glass of boiling water. Cover with a lid and leave until warm. Drink throughout the day. This recipe is relevant for sore throat, cough, whooping cough.
2. Brew quince seeds like a tea and take with a dry cough. It helps even with bronchial asthma, as the mucous substances from the seeds have an enveloping, softening and sedative effect.
3. Pour the crushed dry leaves (one teaspoon) with boiling water (250g) and place in a water bath for 15 minutes. Cool down, strain. Take 3 times a day half an hour before meals.

The benefits of quince for women

The "Golden Apple", the seductive fruit of Eve, seems to have been specially created to keep women's health in good shape.

Pregnancy

These fruits contain a lot of iron, potassium and calcium - these are important and necessary substances for the development of the baby. Future mothers often suffer from anemia, and quince has a huge content of vitamin C, which helps iron to be absorbed. Ascorbic acid also improves immunity and has antiviral properties, which is important for the prevention of colds.

Boiled quince during pregnancy helps to cope with toxicosis. And the diuretic properties of the fruit will relieve excess fluid in the body and prevent swelling.

Refrain from quince after childbirth. When breastfeeding, even a small amount of fruit can bring the baby bloating, gas and constipation.

But external application will be very useful if you have cracked or other damage to the nipples after breastfeeding. It will be enough to pour quince seeds with boiling water, insist until mucus forms and add a little starch.

With menopause

During menopause, due to hormonal disruptions, heavy menstruation is not uncommon, leading to bleeding and a sharp decrease in hemoglobin. Quince replenishes the supply of red cells, stops bleeding and strengthens the walls of blood vessels. It also perfectly fights stress and calms the nervous system, which is very important in this difficult period for a woman.

Quince can be taken as pulp juice, infusion or decoction of leaves and seeds, raw or otherwise: jam, compote, jam.

For weight loss

Quince has a huge amount of fiber, which is so useful for weight loss, and very few calories - only 38. It does not contain harmful cholesterol, and fatty acids are almost completely absent. It improves digestion, saturates well and dulls the feeling of hunger. All these properties contribute to weight loss and the acquisition of desired forms.

Quince jam contains sugar, so it is best to bake it or make smoothies, teas and decoctions.

In cosmetology

Vitamins and antioxidants contained in fruits help the skin to maintain youthfulness and health. They fight free radicals, thereby preventing the formation of wrinkles, eliminating dark spots and age-related pigmentation, and protecting against harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Iron, copper and zinc are the basis for the production of erythrocytes, red blood cells. The more red blood cells, the better blood circulation, oxygen saturation of organs. Good blood circulation promotes hair growth.

Quince pulp masks help to get rid of excessive oiliness of hair, strengthen it and saturate it with useful substances. They are also used for oily facial skin and narrowing of pores. It is enough to rub the pulp and apply to problem areas.

A good cosmetic effect is achieved by massaging a piece of quince, just wipe your face and neck with a slice of fruit. By the way, freckles have long been removed with the juice of the “golden apple”.

How to use quince

1. The seeds contain amygdalin, a special organic compound that gives bitterness and in large quantities can cause poisoning. Under the influence of gastric juice, amygdalin is converted to cyanide. A small amount of seeds will not hurt you, but try to remove the seeds when canning at home.
2. Quince makes delicious jam, jam, jam, marmalade.
3. Finely chopped pieces are added to meat soups for a spicy taste and aroma. In general, quince goes very well with meat, if possible, include it in sauces, marinades and gravies. It can also be added to pilaf and stewed with meat.
4. Try throwing a slice of quince into freshly brewed tea. This is not only a wonderful smell and taste, but also an analogue of lemon.
5. Quince fruits are stored for a long time and emit a breathtaking aroma. If you put fruits in your linen closet, your linen and clothes will smell very nice.

Conclusion

The fruit of Eve, the "golden apple" or quince! Delicious, fragrant and very healthy! Prepare jams and marmalade, eat with pleasure and be healthy!

Quince is a tree up to 4-5 meters high with entire, ovate leaves, hairy below. The flowers are very large, mostly solitary. The fruits are hairy, almost spherical or pear-shaped.

In ancient times, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, the quince was revered as a symbol of love and fertility and was dedicated to the goddess of love, Venus.

In the wild, it is found in the east of Russia.

Quince is bred as a fruit tree, producing beautiful and fragrant fruits, and as a rootstock for grafting pears in the form culture. Distribution area - the entire Caucasus, Crimea, Moldova and Central Asia. Propagation by seeds (strong wildlings are obtained), cuttings, layering and grafting; fruits are used both raw and in compotes, jelly, jam and baked as a seasoning for meat.

quince calories

Fat-free dietary product containing only 40 kcal for every 100 g of raw fruit. People who care about their figure can also eat canned quince, the calorie content of which is only 42 kcal per 100 g.

Nutritional value per 100 grams:

Useful properties of quince

Quince fruits contain a lot of pectin compounds, fructose, glucose, potassium salts, iron, calcium, phosphorus and copper.

Quince fruits have been used as medicine since ancient times. Folk healers of many countries widely used boiled fruits and a decoction of them for gastrointestinal diseases to improve the activity of the digestive tract. It has been established that quince has a beneficial effect on palpitations, jaundice, and diarrhea.

Quince decoction - 10 g of dry quince fruits pour 100 ml of boiling water. Take 1 tbsp. before meals in the absence of appetite, uterine bleeding.

Boiled quince fruits - pureed boiled fruits are used for liver diseases and as an antiemetic.

Fresh fruits and juice - taken for anemia, diseases of the digestive tract, which are accompanied by diarrhea and bleeding, as a diuretic, for diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Quince fruits have an astringent, diuretic, hemostatic, antiseptic effect, help stop vomiting, and quince seeds have enveloping, emollient, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. That is why in medical practice a mucous decoction of quince seeds is used - for hemoptysis, uterine bleeding, diarrhea. A decoction of quince seeds is also used externally: in cosmetics, as a skin softener, as well as lotions for eye diseases, for rinsing with tonsillitis.

In the form of syrup, quince fruits are indicated for anemia. To prepare it, they are cut into small pieces, poured with water, boiled until softened, the juice is squeezed out and boiled down to a thick syrup.

Fresh fruits of quince, due to the high content of iron, are used for the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemia, after a long debilitating illness, high body temperature. And the high content of pectin compounds has determined the use of quince since ancient times for intestinal diseases accompanied by diarrhea. Poultices made from quince or juice are one of the most effective means with cracks in the anus. A decoction of fresh or dried quince fruits has long been used to stop heavy uterine bleeding - drink tea with finely chopped quince 3 times a day.

When shaking the seeds with water (5-100), mucus is obtained, which is used as an external enveloping, expectorant, antitussive and enveloping (for bronchitis, especially in children), emollient (for colitis and diarrhea), a sedative (for peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum intestines).

In dentistry, quince mucus is used for applications for glossitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease. The mucus is prepared from whole seeds to avoid dissolving the amygdalin contained in the endosperm of the seeds.

An aqueous infusion of quince leaves (5 parts of leaves per 200 ml of boiling water) has the ability to weaken and even stop an attack of bronchial asthma.

Decoction of quince seeds - excellent remedy with heavy uterine bleeding, especially in menopause. Take dried quince seeds on the tip of a teaspoon 3-4 times a day. Start taking one week before your period.

Quince seeds contain mucus, so they can be used as an emollient and enveloping agent. Pour 10 g of seeds with 1 glass of warm water. Shake for 7-9 min. The resulting mucus is used orally for 1 tbsp. 3-4 times a day 20-30 minutes after a meal for gastritis, as an expectorant for diseases of the upper respiratory tract. And externally - for burns and skin irritation.

Quince seeds should not be crushed, as this leads to the extraction of the poisonous substance amygdalin from them, which gives the quince the smell of bitter almonds.

Ancient healers left a recipe for infertility treatment with fresh quince juice. You should drink juice - from a young month to two-thirds of it, every evening, 1 tbsp.

An aqueous infusion of quince leaves has the ability to weaken and even stop asthma attacks. To prepare it, 5 g of quince leaves are poured into 1 tbsp. hot water. Boil in a water bath for 15 minutes, squeeze and bring the volume to the original boiled water. Take 2 tbsp. 3-4 times a day before meals. Store in the refrigerator for no more than 3 days.

Quince leaf and seed tea is a good diuretic for kidney problems. Take 1 tbsp. dried leaves and seeds in equal amounts, pour 200 ml of boiling water, boil over low heat for 5-6 minutes, cool, strain, add honey to taste. Take 1 tbsp. 3-4 times a day.

Quince fruit tea serves as a diuretic for edema of cardiovascular origin. Quince seed tea is used in folk medicine for coughs and acute respiratory diseases. Fresh quince fruits contain 30 mg / kg of iron, so the extract from them is prescribed for anemia and other ailments.

Outcome:

• used:
• with gastrointestinal diseases
• with kidney disease
• diseases of the cardiovascular system
• bronchial asthma
• with anemia
• to stop heavy uterine bleeding
• with glossitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease
• with anal fissures
• for burns and skin irritation
• improves the activity of the digestive tract
• diuretic
• hemostatic agent
• antiseptic action
• expectorant, antitussive
• sedative for peptic ulcer

Quince is another interesting member of the Pink family. It belongs to trees and shrubs growing up to 4 m. In the genus Cidonia, this is the only species whose “cradle” is Central Asia, where medicinal properties quince has been known since time immemorial. A long-lived plant bears fruit up to 50 years and is "relatives" and. Many are interested in quince: the beneficial properties of which should not only be studied, but also used in a healthy diet.

Breeders have created 400 varieties from Quince trees of two types: common quince and Japanese quince. Quince varieties differ in flower shape and fruit structure, but otherwise are very similar. The fruit of Cidonia is a hairy false apple that has the following characteristics:

• pear-shaped or rounded;
• yellow color (one side may have a red tint);
• surface pubescent, with uneven relief;
• hard, dense flesh with a tart, sweet taste;
• inside contains seeds from 50 to 70 pieces;
• has an apple aroma with light coniferous notes;
• on average, the weight of the fetus is up to 50 g.

There are numerous varieties of quince fruits, but despite the benefits, they are all unsuitable for fresh consumption. Desserts are prepared from the "golden apples", which are popular due to the aromatic smell and delicate taste. Jam, jams, candied fruit and marmalade are far from a complete list of quince desserts.

The Quito tree blooms during May-June, and mature "golden apples" hang from the branches in September-October. The most famous varieties of quince, which are most useful, are ordinary, Chinese, Japanese, Angers. It is these varieties that are most often found in the gardens of summer residents and on industrial plantations.

Where does quince grow

Cidonia got its name in ancient Greece. Quince culture is quite ancient and dates back 4,000 years. Where does quince come from? It is believed that the Quito tree inhabited the regions of Transcaucasia and Central Asia. Quince ordinary in the wild is found in these parts to this day.
The natural area of ​​\u200b\u200bdistribution is large area from Central Asia, central and southern regions of Europe. Cidonia is cultivated on plantations in Europe, America, Oceania and Australia.

Fruits are exported to Russia in autumn from the countries of Central Asia, Moldova, Transcaucasia. It is best to buy during this period, until they have been subjected to additional processing.

Calorie content of quince and its composition

Quince occupies a leading position in the content of many useful substances. The main food components (BJU) are presented in the following ratios:

• 0.6 g of proteins;
• 0.5 g fat;
• 9.6 g of carbohydrates.

Water is in the amount of 84 g, ash contains 0.8 g.
The calorie content of fresh quince is 49 kcal per 100 g of the product, which indicates the dietary properties of the "golden apple". Based on 1 fruit weighing 200g, there are 100 kcal.
The fruits have a low concentration of fat and a large% of dietary fiber, which allows them to be used in low-calorie diets for weight loss.

The chemical composition of quince

The composition of quince is presented:

• organic acids;
• pectins and dietary fiber;
• sugars, primacy among which belongs to fructose;
• a small amount of fatty acids;
• tannins;
• essential oils contained in the peel.

Pectins are of great benefit to the body, which in the gastrointestinal tract are converted into a gel-like mixture, enveloping the surface of the intestine and preventing its irritation. And thanks to dietary fiber, stagnant decay products are removed, intestinal motility improves.

The seeds have a slightly different set of chemical compounds: tannins, mucus, fatty acids. The composition contains amygdalin or vitamin B17, which is used for medicinal purposes, but its toxic effect is also known.

vitamins

Organic acids, vitamins are the most important component of the fruit. Their set is not so great, but the fruit allows you to replenish the daily norm of useful components.
Vitamins in quince (per 100 g):

• C (ascorbic) - 23 mg;
• E (tocopherol) - 0.4 mg;
• PP (nicotinic acid) - 0.3 mg;
• B2 (riboflavin) - 0.04 mg;
• B1 (thiamine) - 0.02 mg.

The highest content is vitamin C, which "guards" the body's defenses, saving from colds during the off-season.
The fruits have a bright yellow color due to beta-carotene in the composition, which forms vitamin A during chemical transformations. Beta-carotene is a strong antioxidant that slows down the stages of aging and removes toxic compounds.

Minerals

The fruit is rich in minerals. Its composition is enriched with:

• 144 mg potassium;
• 24 mg phosphorus;
• 23 g calcium;
• 14 mg magnesium;
• 14 mg sodium (per 100 g of product).

A large% of potassium allows you to regulate the acid-base balance of the blood, which makes it possible to control the ratio of fluid in the body. Phosphorus and calcium are building blocks for the skeleton and are useful for strengthening teeth and bones. Magnesium reduces anxiety, nervous overexcitation and is useful for the work of the respiratory center.

Useful properties of quince

The properties of quince depend on its chemical components in the composition, and the benefits have been proven by traditional and confirmed by folk medicine. Each variety of Cidonia is slightly different in its effect, but the overall picture is as follows:

1. They improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, helping to remove toxins and enhancing intestinal motility. Relieve inflammation in the digestive system. Quince fruits contribute to the restoration of intestinal microflora after prolonged use of antibiotics. The fruit helps with the problem of constipation.
2. Due to the iron content, they strengthen blood vessels and improve blood circulation. Iron is built into the protein hemoglobin, which delivers oxygen and removes carbon dioxide, making gas exchange.
3. Strengthen the joint tissue, reducing pain during movement.
4. They help with respiratory diseases: acute respiratory infections, bronchitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia.
5. Useful for the functioning of the nervous system, relieving stress, helping with nervous overload. For some people, quince is like a sleeping pill.
6. They are also useful for diabetics, because with regular intake of fruit,% of blood sugar returns to normal.
7. They increase appetite, which is important for weakened people after injuries, operations, and long-term medication.
8. Antioxidants in the composition inhibit the growth of cancer cells and are a useful prevention of cancer.