Pomegranate peel, also known as pomegranate shell, sour pomegranate peel, and western pomegranate peel, is the fruit peel of the pomegranate plant (Punica granatum L.) in the family Lythraceae. The fruit peel is collected after the fruit is ripe in autumn and dried in the sun.
[Processing method] 1. Pomegranate peel "Taiping Shenghui Fang": "Remove the skin." "Pound into a paste." Currently, the original medicinal material is taken, impurities are removed, the remaining core and seeds are removed, washed, cut into pieces, and dried.
2. Pomegranate peel charcoal "Qian Jin Yi Fang": "Burn into ash." "Roast until black." "Store by burning into charcoal." Currently, clean pomegranate peel pieces are placed in a pot, heated over high heat, roasted until the surface is black and the inside is brown, sprayed with a little water to extinguish any sparks, and then cooled.
3. Stir-fried pomegranate peel "Taiping Shenghui Fang": "Fry until burnt." "Subtle." Currently, clean pomegranate peel pieces are placed in a pot, heated over low heat, fried until slightly darker in color, and the ash residue is sieved.
[Appearance of prepared slices] Pomegranate peel is small square or irregular pieces, with a yellow-brown, dark red, or brown-red outer surface, slightly shiny, a yellow or reddish-brown inner surface, and a yellow section with a slightly granular appearance. It is hard and crispy. It has a slight aroma, a bitter taste, and astringency. Stir-fried pomegranate peel charcoal is shaped like pomegranate peel, with a black and charred surface and a charred brown interior. Stir-fried pomegranate peel is similar in appearance to pomegranate peel, with a slightly darker color.
[Quality requirements] Pomegranate peel should not contain more than 6% impurities and should contain no less than 10.0% tannins.
[Processing functions] Pomegranate peel has a sour and astringent taste and a warm nature. It belongs to the large intestine meridian. It has the functions of astringing the intestines to stop diarrhea, stopping bleeding, and expelling worms. It is commonly used for abdominal pain due to intestinal worms, seminal emissions, leukorrhea, prolapse of the anus, and scabies. For example, the pomegranate peel powder is used to treat heart pain and abdominal stabbing caused by roundworms ("Taiping Shenghui Fang"). After being fried into charcoal, it has enhanced astringent properties and is often used for long-term diarrhea, chronic dysentery, and uterine bleeding. For example, the Da Duan Xia Wan, which treats abdominal pain and diarrhea caused by spleen and stomach deficiency and leakage, and the Zhong Ru Yi Huang Wan, which treats persistent diarrhea in children ("Yangshi Jia Cang Fang").
