Feb
So something different here. A pomegranate monograph I have written in the style of a fable or myth. A ‘Mythograph.’
I had the idea when thinking about the many ancient medical texts that incorporated parables and anecdotes to make complex concepts more memorable. And how, many origins of myths began as explanations for real life events or observations. For example, old wives tales about medicine often originate from early medical practices. Many ancient cultures used herbal remedies that had real healing properties, but without scientific understanding, their effects were explained through mythological means. No doubt we all have handed down advice from our grandparents that have come from somewhere.
Anyway the below ‘mythograph’ story is a bit over the top and blousy, but I had fun with it. The term ‘Anaar’ in the story, refers to Pomegranate. A number of languages including Farsi, Hindi and Urdu use this term for Pomegranate. The medicinal properties are based on Middle eastern, Indian, Persian and Unani sources. Please do your own research regarding the medicinal benefits, and the botanical details of a Pomegranate.
BOTANICAL LORE: PARISA AND THE POMEGRANATE TREE
In an age when the earth was acknowledged by all to be hallowed, when the sky was a tapestry of stars and the winds carried whispers of forgotten knowledge, there went a traveller by the name of Parisa, a woman bound not by hearth or home, but by the road itself. She had wandered through highland passes where the eagles soared through valleys, and where the roses bled incense into the air, and through deserts where the sun wove golden dust into the earth. Nonetheless still, her journey, she felt, was not complete. Her soul was a vessel of curiosity, her spirit free as the rivers that carved through the mountains, and her feet ever in search of learning. After many full moons, she arrived at an archaic orchard, where the trees stood like longing dervishes, their branches whispering prayers to the heavens above. At its heart grew a tree unlike any other. Its roots curled like serpents, rough and twisted around the stones of the earth, its branches draped in the fire of ruby red fruit.
This was the Anaar, the Pomegranate tree, beloved by sages, healers and commonfolk alike.
The Anaar was no common tree. Her leaves were a verdant, deep green that flickered in the light, turning to gold when the autumn touched her branches. Her flowers were fiery red, each one shaped like a refined cup of flame, foretelling the harvest to come. The ether around seemed to pulse with the substance of life, and Parisa stood in the presence of the Anaar, when a quiet knowing voice arose from the very heart of the tree, echoing through the quiet valley.
“O wayfarer, who walks between fate and destiny, you have searched for me, and therefore I shall reveal to you my mysteries. You have sort out wisdom in isolated lands, but the absolute wisdom lies within the indivisible things – the earth, the air, the water and fire, and within the fruit of my branches is the essence of life. I am the keeper of balance and within me lies the strength to restore, and to bring harmony to the soul.”
The tree then beckoned Parisa to approach, offering her three fruits, each distinct from the other, each bearing a unique spirit and promise. The tree then spoke in the language of those who think and ponder. “Take each of these three fruits that hold the wisdom of the earth, and in each one, there lies healing.”
The Sweet Pomegranate – A Balm For The Heart
The first fruit Parisa chose was the sweetest of them all. Its rubied flesh gleamed in the light, and as she ate its jewels, a wave of calm swept over her. The sweetness of the fruit soothed her troubled spirit, cooling the heat of anxiety that had long plagued her. The very essence of peace seemed to flow through her, as if the turmoil of her soul had been quelled by a temperate breeze.
The sweet pomegranate is cool and moist in temperament, making her a balm for the heart, mind, and blood. She nourishes the body gently, restoring lost vitality.
“Of sweet fruit,” the tree proclaimed, “carries the essence of balance and tranquility. Her nature is cooling, and she heals the heart and mind. She purifies the blood, clears the thoughts of confusion, and brings joy to the weary soul.”
Parisa, feeling the weight of her travels lift from her shoulders, knew that this sweet fruit was a remedy for those whose hearts were burdened, whose minds were restless. In the tradition of medicine of Ibn Sina, it was said that the sweet pomegranate purified the blood, improves digestion, soothing the belly and cools the body and tempers the heat of the heart. It was a balm for those who suffered from palpitations, anxiety, and fever, restoring clarity and serenity to their spirits.
The Sour Pomegranate – A Quencher Of Fire
The second fruit was sharp, with a sour, astringent scent that filled the air. Its taste was bold and intense, striking a contrast to the sweetness Parisa had just tasted. As she consumed the sour fruit, a sharp cooling sensation spread through her, quenching the internal fire that had burned within her from the long travels, the harsh climates, and the fevered nights. The sourness worked to restore balance, like the sudden refreshment of a cool breeze in the heat of summer.
The sour pomegranate is cold and dry in nature, making her a potent cleanser and absorber of flow. She is the warrior against excessive heat, inflammation, and digestive disorders.
“This fruit, O Parisa,” the tree uttered, “is for those whose bodies are overtaken by too much heat. When the body suffers from bile, inflammation, or digestive imbalance, my sour fruit restores harmony. Her rind, when powdered, is a powerful cleanser, tightening the tissues and calming the digestive body. Like the crisp wind before a storm, she cleanses, she strengthens, she fortifies.”
Parisa felt the effects of the sour fruit instantly, her body cooled, the heat of fatigue drained from her limbs, and a sense of relief washed over her.
This fruit, with its dry and cold temperament, was revered in the ancient texts for its ability to balance excess heat and bile, cooling the body when inflammation or heat that rages within, and also tame the flames of fever. The pomegranate’s rind, when prepared crushed, was known to cleanse the liver and intestines, restrict the heavy flow of menses, and the looseness of the bowels. Furthermore it is known to treats digestive disorders, expel the parasites within, and restoring balance to the body.
The Balanced Pomegranate – The Keeper Of Harmony
The final fruit Parisa chose was a perfect blend of both sweetness and sourness. It was neither too tart nor too sweet, but held the perfect union of both. As Parisa ate into its balanced nectar, she felt an overwhelming sense of harmony spread through her. Her body, mind, and spirit seemed to align in a perfect equilibrium, and for the first time in a long while, she felt truly whole.
The balanced pomegranate is a unique fusion of both temperaments, making her an principle medicine for restoring equilibrium for those whose humors are disordered or misaligned.
“O cherished Parisa,” the tree murmured, “this fruit is a valued gift. For she is the union of opposites, the perfect balance of sweet and tart. She heals the body, soothes the soul, and brings vitality to the spirit. When the humours within are out of balance, this fruit restores order, bringing peace to the mind and strength to the body.”
Parisa, filled with newfound vitality, understood that the balanced pomegranate was the key to true restoration, the perfect remedy for those whose energies were scattered, and their bodies and minds were at war with themselves. In the Unani tradition, the balanced pomegranate was considered the ultimate healer.
The anaar then continued with the benefits of the balanced pomegranate: “She restores balance to the body and soul, aligning the humours and energies within. She strengthens the heart and stomach, nourishes the blood, and promotes vitality. And restores resistance, protecting the body from the diseases inside, and on the periphery.”
The Healing Powers of the Anaar
The Pomegranate tree lastly conveyed, “My seeds purify the blood, guarding the elements of the body to cleanse and enrich. Those who suffer from skin blemishes, swellings, and dark spots find relief in my essence. My juice soothes the digestive system, relieving fiery bellies, and abdominal tenderness. My rind cools the fevered body, and eases the pain of bones that are stiff and ache or suffer gout.”
As Parisa rested on the trunk of the Pomegranate tree, listening to the whispers of the earth, she comprehended the deep extent of the tree’s healing gifts. Every part of her, from the seeds to the rind, from the juice to the peel, held healing powers that had been known to sages and healers for centuries.
Parisa took this wisdom to the heart of her being, knowing that the pomegranate was not just a fruit, but a living, healing entity, one that restores the balance of nature, heals the body, and soothes the spirit.
And so, Parisa continued her journey, sharing the blessed knowledge of the pomegranate tree with all who would listen. Her voyage became not just one of discovery, but a quest to heal, to restore, and to teach others, the ways of the Pomegranate. The spirit of the Anaar followed her on her path, its presence a reminder that true health is found in the balance of opposites and the earth’s abundance. When comprehended correctly, is the most authentic form of medicine.
Reference: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10598818/
Reading: Canon of medicine book II by Ibn Sina.
Top image: William Adolphe Bouguereau’s ‘Pomegranate Seller’, 1875 (Public domain)