Pear cultivated over three millennia. In the wild, it grows throughout Eurasia up to 60 degrees north latitude. Scientists have identified two ancient centers of domestication of wild pear - Ancient China and Asia Minor, but the place where it was first cultivated was not known for sure. Pleasant taste and healthy properties made pear one of the most beloved fruits (there are more than 5000 cultivated varieties). Many believe that pear - This is a solid benefit and harm from it is unlikely. Let's try to figure out whether this is so.
Did you know? The first information about pears can be found in sources of the II millennium BC. er Pears were cultivated in Persia (in the Homeric Odyssey there is a description of a Persian orchard with pears) in Ancient China. The frescoes from Pompeii depict ripe pears. Thanks to the ancient Greeks and Romans, pears spread throughout Europe. The Romans called the pear "Pyrus" - "Flame". In the ancient sources used the name "pear" from the XII century (the term came from Persia). In the XVII century in the Russian language - "Dula" (borrowing from Polish).
Calorie and chemical composition of pear
The ancient Chinese called the pear fruit of immortality for a reason. In addition to taste, aromatic qualities and low energy value - from 42 to 54 kcal (which makes the pear indispensable in the diet), this fruit has a unique chemical composition. The content of many micro-and macro-acids, it is superior to apples and other fruits. Pear contains elements such as:
- calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, chlorine, sodium;
- iron, molybdenum, zinc, manganese, copper, silicon, fluorine, selenium, boron, iodine, cobalt, vanadium, rubidium, nickel;
- vitamins (B, B1, B2, B3, B5, B9, B12, C, H, A, PP, K, E);
- mono - and disaccharides, tannins, mono - and polyacids, fiber.
The benefits of pears for the body
All these elements are in a balanced combination. Juicy, slightly astringent pulp tones up, improves mood, has a beneficial effect on the digestive system, stimulates the cardiovascular system, reduces cholesterol levels. It is useful to eat a pear in any form - it retains its qualities in a dried form (uzvar - a drink of infused steamed dry pears from the Slavs personified life), in compotes, jelly and juice. This fruit is especially useful for children, pregnant and lactating women.
Important! If we talk about the benefits of pears, it must be recalled that this fruit does not practically cause allergies and is one of the few fruits that are not contraindicated in diabetic patients. On an empty stomach pear est not recommended - high fiber content will irritate the mucous membrane.
Pear for pregnant and breastfeeding
Hypoallergenic low-calorie fruit is ideal for expectant mothers. The pear contains the elements necessary for the organisms of both mother and child:
- folic acid (prevents fetal malformations). 100 g of pear contains 12 mcg B9;
- Vitamin C (important as an antioxidant). 100 g pear - 7 mg;
- potassium (in combination with phosphorus, calcium supports the cardiovascular system of the mother and child, protects the safety of the enamel of the teeth of the pregnant);
- fiber (helps fight constipation - a frequent occurrence in pregnant women due to iron-preserving drugs). It should be remembered that the use of dried pears will lead to the opposite result - such a pear crepe;
- simple carbohydrates (do not add weight).
When switching to fresh fruit for the first time, it is better to limit yourself to a small slice of pear and observe the reaction of the child. Together with breast milk, the baby will receive all the useful elements with which the pear is rich.
Important! When buying imported pears, remember that the fruits are processed with special preservatives, wax for long-term storage. Therefore, the skin with a pear is better to clean the knife and throw it away.
Pears for children
Most pediatricians are advised to start feeding babies with pears from the age of seven months (letting you try a few drops of juice and gradually increase the dose by going to a pear puree). A pear is easily digested and will be useful for a child’s body, because:
- improve vision and metabolic processes (due to carotene), increase immunity;
- strengthen the bones of the skeleton (this is contributed by potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus);
- provide folic acid for blood formation;
- improve the condition of hair and skin (with the help of sulfur);
- normalizes the intestinal flora (due to fiber and tannins);
- will support the nervous system, ensure the process of cell regeneration and increase resistance to infections (vitamins B and C), etc.
Did you know? Compared to apples, plums and peaches, pear is not so predictable in taste, it can be hard, soft, homogeneous and granular. Ripe pear can be eaten with "chrome", and you can drink. Shades of flavors - the most diverse (from lemon and strawberry to caramel and pineapple). Smell is the best choice for pears. Ripe uncut pear has a pleasant strong aroma - the stronger the aroma, the tastier the fruit.
Use in traditional medicine: treatment with a pear
Official medicine recognizes the pear dietary properties, the ability to normalize the work of the intestine. Pear in folk medicine takes a more worthy place. In most medicinal recipes, the main element is the pear-dick. The medicinal properties of pear, its flowers, shoots and leaves have long been used to treat a variety of ailments (heart disease, kidney, liver, strong cough, etc.).
With allergies
Pear rarely causes allergies.
Can be used in the fight against allergies:
- in diet therapy - the inclusion of this low-allergenic product in the composition of dishes (for example, in oatmeal);
- in the form of a mixture, which is taken in the period of allergic exacerbation twice a day for a glass. A mixture of decoctions of 100 g of dried pears and 100 g of oatmeal is made. A pear is poured with a liter of boiling water and boiled for half an hour. Oatmeal pour 1.5 liters of water and boil for 20 minutes. Then both broths insist (2 hours) and mix;
- as an infusion. A pound of dried pears boil and cook for 20 minutes on low heat in two liters of water, then insist 2 hours. Drink infusion after meals (one glass).
With diarrhea
The ability of pears to fight infections, suppress pathogenic microbes was used in traditional medicine. Tannin in the composition of pear serves as an astringent, pectin will support the mucous membranes. You can drink freshly squeezed juice of slightly unripe pears, you can make a decoction of dried wild pears (per 100 g of pears, half a liter of water, boil and let stand for 10 minutes over low heat. Infuse for half an hour, take warm to half a cup).
With prostate
Pear healers are often called the fruit of "male power". The high content of arbutin and vitamin P inhibits inflammation in the prostate gland, improves blood circulation, helps with erectile dysfunction. The use of a decoction of fruits and leaves of willow every day for 2-3 months removes the exacerbation of the disease, reduces the risk of prostatitis in older men.
An effective remedy is an infusion of pear flowers (30 g of raw material to insist in 0.5 liters of boiling water for 5 minutes), which, after straining, should be drunk per day.
With urethritis
Glycoside arbutin in pears has an antiseptic effect, anesthetizes. For the treatment of urethritis, traditional medicine recommends taking daily juice (50 g each), a decoction of pear-dick (1 cup). Effective decoction, prepared from the dry leaves of a pear tree (1 tbsp. spoon), yarrow, knotweed (also 1 spoon each). Ingredients need to mix and pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, then insist 40 minutes. After filtering in small portions take throughout the day.
Healing festering wounds
The ability of a pear to heal wounds was noticed in antiquity (it is believed that Avicenna did it). Traditional medicine supports this view: fresh wounds can be treated with pear pulp (hold for 10 minutes and wash off); the crust from an old wound will most likely disappear if it is periodically lubricated with pear pulp. In case the wound is long-lasting or festered, it is recommended to wash it with a decoction of 50 g of pear skins, welded in 1 liter of water. Antiseptic properties of a pear will accelerate healing.
How to use pears in cosmetology
The use of pears in cosmetology has a long tradition. Traditional medicine has traditionally used the following qualities of pears to enhance attractiveness:
- regenerative effect (renewal of skin cells);
- anti-inflammatory (removal of irritation, rashes, redness);
- toning (rejuvenating).
- Infusions of pear leaves help fight dandruff, tighten pores, enrich the skin with vitamins. Masks, scrubs, creams, lotions and other cosmetological means are created on the pear base.
- One of the simplest means - pear scrub scrub (varieties with hard "fossilized" grains are especially well suited) - the skin will be delicately cleansed, enriched with acids and vitamins, and pigment spots are lightened.
- When a problem with the scalp (dandruff) is recommended to rub pear juice into the hair roots 30 minutes before washing the hair for 2-3 weeks.
- Pear masks are one of the most popular methods of using pears in cosmetology. Make them from ripe fruits, combining with other ingredients:
- from pears and sour cream (pulp of one pear, sour cream (tablespoon)). The ingredients are mixed and applied for 20 minutes - the skin of the face is smoothed;
- pear and egg (pulp of one pear, egg white). Beat the protein, add a pear, apply for 20 minutes on the skin and rinse with warm water - relieves skin inflammation, irritation;
- pear, honey and cream (pear, heavy cream, orange juice, liquid honey (a teaspoon)). Ingredients stir, apply on the skin of the face. After 20 minutes, rinse with green tea - the skin is rejuvenated and toned.
Important! In the manufacture of home creams, masks, lotions, rubbing on the basis of pear, it is desirable to use the most ripe fruits - they contain a maximum of nutrients and beneficial elements.
Harvesting and storage of raw materials from pears
The color of trees, young shoots, leaves and fruits of a pear are subject to preparation. Raw pears are harvested gradually - as they mature:
- April - May - young shoots (during budding, blooming of young leaves);
- May - June - flowers and leaves;
- July - August - summer pear varieties;
- September - autumn varieties;
- early October - winter varieties (can be kept fresh for up to eight months).
- From summer and autumn varieties of pears are also harvested preservation (jam, juice, fruit drinks, jellies, jam) and dried fruits.
Canned pear retains many useful properties, but dried pear will be more useful. Pears are selected for drying and begin to ripen. Wash pears (no need to peel, small fruits are dried with a stem). If the pears are very large - can be cut in half.
Before drying, it is desirable to subject pears to heat treatment - stand in boiling water until softness is obtained (depending on ripeness, from five to ten minutes). You can add sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon.
Dried under the sun in the shade (up to 2-3 days), then dried in a ventilated room (strung on a thread); in the oven (at a temperature of 55 to 60 degrees). Gradually, pears become dry and hard (later on, when consumed, they need to be steamed - the steam will make them soft and tasty, while retaining all the beneficial substances).
It is better to keep dry (better to collect pears in dry weather), intact fruits. It is optimal to store fruit in wooden ventilated boxes. Fruits should be stalk up and not touch each other (can be separated with paper, sawdust). The room should be dry and not hot.
Did you know? Winter varieties are not inferior in utility and taste of summer and autumn. As it is stored, rocky fibers ripen, sweetness increases, tannins disappear, taste improves. Winter pear varieties are usable in winter and springtime, when vitamins are deficient.
Contraindications and harm pears
Consumption of fresh pears has certain contraindications. Harm pears to health can happen in the event of:
- the use of this fruit by people suffering from gastritis, an ulcer (in this case, should be treated with baked or boiled fruits). Fresh pears may also be too "heavy" for the stomachs of the elderly;
- use tart, sour pears people with diseases of the central nervous system;
- individual intolerance by people of this fruit (an extremely rare phenomenon).
- It is advisable to refrain from eating pears during the period of exacerbation of these diseases, and also not to be greedy and not to overeat fresh fruit.
Did you know? When cooking pears and choosing spices, it should be borne in mind that their best companions are cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, basil, sage, allspice. The special taste will be given by the combination of pear with sea buckthorn and berries of lingonberry.
