Showing posts with label liver protecting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label liver protecting. Show all posts

Monday, October 20, 2014

Raisin Tree Medicinal Uses

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 245-365

Common Name: Raisin Tree, Japanese Raisin Tree, Oriental Raisin Tree
Scientific Name: Hovenia dulcis
Family: Rhamnaceae (the Buckthorn family)

















Description:
The Raisin Tree is a unique plant. The edible portion of the tree is not actually the fruit. The fruit itself is small, hard, pea-sized, and not edible. But the stem or stalk of the fruit, once the fruit is mature, will swell up and become gnarled. It is this fruit stalk, technically called a rachis, that is edible.

Flowering: Early Summer. Flowers are small but very numerous

Uses
  • Edible Fruit Stalk – Can be eaten raw or cooked. Reported to have a flavor similar to Asian Pears or candied Walnuts. The fruit stalks can be dried and then have a flavor and texture more like a raisin. (here is a fun article about cooking with the Raisin Tree)
  • Extract – An extract from the fruit stalks and other parts (young leaves and small branches?) is made in China. It is called “tree honey” and is used as a honey substitute. It is used for making sweets and even a type of wine!
  • Wildlife food for both birds and small mammals.
Medicinal Uses

There is some research to support that the antioxidants in this plant (hodulcine, ampelopsin, quercetin) has liver protecting and anti-inflammatory effects.
It provides superior antioxidant activity effect to world’s famous ‘manuka’ honey produced in New Zealand.
Reforestation

Drought Tolerant Plant 

Permaculture
A unique, large, fast-growing tree that bears sweet, edible peduncles tasting similar to a combination of raisin, clove, cinnamon and sugar & with medicinal properties!
Mature trees can yield 5-10 pounds of edible fruit stalks.
Tolerates light to medium shade, but fruits earlier and in larger quantity in full sun.