Carob benefits and contraindications Do you know the benefits and contraindications of carob? Here we detail them, but first we are going to analyze it in its botanical aspect.
The carob tree is native to the Mediterranean region and some parts of western Asia and the Middle East.
The carob is a dome-shaped evergreen tree that is a member of the pea family. It can reach over thirty feet or ten meters in height when fully grown.
The compound leaves are dark green, and the tree bears green flowers that bloom in autumn.
The fruits of the carob tree are called pods, brown in color, and take a year to mature.
Part of the plant used: seeds, pods, and sometimes the bark.
Carob beans and carob powder have been used for thousands of years by civilizations found in the Mediterranean region and on the Adriatic Sea. The carob has been used for a long time since ancient Egyptian times. Saint John’s bread was named after the famous story of Saint John, a Baptist monk who enjoyed eating carob pods. The term bread was due to the texture of the fresh, ripe pod that is slightly chewy in nature.
It has been used as a liquor, syrup, and ingredient in the Mediterranean region. Carob syrup is commonly known as black gold on the island of Cyprus. Today, carob is used as a beverage and consumed fresh for ceremonial purposes in Islamic customs and used as a traditional food in the Jewish community to celebrate special holidays. The ancient carob press is found in small villages in Lebanon, as well as in other parts of the world.
Today Spain, Morocco, Italy, Greece and Portugal are the main producing countries of carob. The carob has its way all over the world, which also includes California. Let’s see, below, everything about carob benefits and contraindications
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benefits of carob
He carob tree It has been used for human consumption and as animal feed in Mediterranean countries for centuries.
Due to the high pectin and tannin content of carob pods, it has been used as an herbal remedy for diarrhea.
Pectin is a polysaccharide, a water-soluble substance, which is believed to aid in digestion and bacterial infections.
Tannins, which are carbohydrates and vegetable pigments, have antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Additionally, tannins retain water and act as a binding agent resulting in firmer stools.
Carob fiber, also known as locust bean gum, may be useful for lower cholesterol and diabetes due to its ability to regulate blood sugar levels.
There are some indications that fiber can be used as a weight loss remedy and that carob powder may be helpful for prostatitis and prostate infections.
Lignans, estrogen-like chemicals called phytoestrogens found in the plant, are believed to have antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
These lignans could be useful in fighting some estrogen-related cancers, and could be used as an estrogen replacement during and after the menopause.
The carob has been used traditionally to eliminate the warts and heartburn, and herbal remedies made from the pods have been used for persistent coughs.
Early research in France indicates that carob might be helpful in stimulating kidney failure and chronic kidney disease, but more research is needed to confirm this use.
Powder made from the seed pods is widely used in cosmetic herbal face packs to cleanse and tone the skin.
Other traditional uses of the pods include remedies for intestinal parasitesvision problems and eye infections.
Carobs are a popular cocoa substitute. They contain fewer calories, are caffeine-free, and are non-addictive. Also, they do not interfere with the body’s assimilation of calcium, unlike cocoa and chocolate.
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Dosage and Administration
Carob can be taken as a tea, an extract, or a capsule. When used as a remedy for diarrhea, the usual dose for adults is around 20 grams per day and children 15 grams per day.
It should always be taken with plenty of water.
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Carob contraindications
When carob is used as herbal medicine, it is generally considered a safe herb.
There is a possibility of an allergic reaction to remedies made from carob, but these are considered very rare and there are no known drug interactions.
The use of baby herb for medical purposes is believed to be safe, but should always be under the supervision of a licensed or certified health care provider.
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