Carob Tree – Uses and Health Benefits

Carob tree

The carob tree, which is native to the Middle East and the Mediterranean region , and its legumes are not only welcome in the kitchen. In particular, the blood sugar and cholesterol-lowering effect of the seeds is used in folk medicine.

General overview

The carob tree belongs to the carob family and belongs to the legume genus. The level of awareness of the Johannisbaum is relatively low, but its legumes can be used in many ways.

Most of the trees grow wild without being planned to be cultivated. Its yields are used in numerous products in the textile or food industry and can also be found in cosmetics and medicines.

occurrence and cultivation

The carob tree is native to the Mediterranean and the Near East. The tree is evergreen and can reach a height of 10-20 meters. Carob trees flower six years after germination and are adorned with clusters of flowers. The legumes of the tree are relevant for human consumption. Their external appearance is characterized by a dark brown color. They are about 10-30 centimeters tall. The shape is pod-like, the flesh is reddish-brown in colour.

The tree is rather undemanding in terms of watering. However, it prefers coastal areas and grows on calcareous soils. Since carob trees are relatively sensitive to frost, they are rarely found above 500 meters altitude. The trees are ideal for organic cultivation. Their cultivation is desirable because they can both protect soils and provide food and shade for animals. The main harvest time is September. There is an average fruit harvest of 75 kilograms per mature tree. The fruit of the tree was already used as a medicinal plant in ancient Egypt and probably came to the Mediterranean region via the Romans. legumesof the carob tree have a sweet, slightly bitter taste.

application and effect

The legumes of the carob tree are particularly useful for humans. The fruit is also called carob and has a very long shelf life. The legume can be processed into a juice called a kaftan. The taste of the fruits is reminiscent of cocoa , but they have a much lower fat content. Therefore, the yields of the carob tree are also suitable as a dietary supplement . The fruit and products made from it are rich in roughage and have a cholesterol and blood sugar-lowering effect .

It is therefore advisable to use the legumes for nutritional therapy in diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. They have astringent, diuretic , laxative and sedative effects . Insoluble secondary plant substances also have a positive effect on the blood sugar level in the human organism. The legumes and the juices and powders made from them are still used for problems of the gastrointestinal tract and for sexual disorders.

Consumption can regulate bowel movements and have a stomach-soothing effect in the event of a feeling of fullness and flatulence. Due to the tannins contained in the fruit, an application for non-infectious diarrhea is induced and can provide relief. However, if consumed in higher amounts, products made from carob trees can have a laxative effect. It can therefore also be used for constipation.

What does the carob tree help against?

  • sexual disorders

importance to health

Thanks to their blood sugar-lowering effect, products made from carob trees have a high potential to positively influence existing diseases of the sugar metabolism. They can also prevent diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, the ingredients of legumes have a cholesterol-lowering effect. Products from carob yields can therefore be used as a dietary supplement and are well suited for people with high cholesterol levels.

Carob flour and legume extracts are free of gluten and lactose. Therefore, they are a good alternative, especially for allergy sufferers and people with celiac disease . People suffering from celiac disease cannot eat conventional grain products such as wheat flour , otherwise they run the risk of promoting irreparable intestinal damage. Products made from the fruits of the carob tree are used for indigestion, stomach problems and inflammation.

They are often used in medicine in children, especially in the case of non-infectious diarrheal diseases. The ingredients of the fruit bind water in the intestine and form a protective layer on the mucous membranes . The legumes contain valuable trace elements and minerals . In addition to secondary plant substances and roughage, vitamins from the B group are included. In addition to the micronutrients mentioned above, the legumes of the tree also contain antioxidants. These substances act as free radical scavengers in the body. They catch unwanted substances, render them harmless and can thus protect against cancer.

Products made from carob tree seeds have a high health value and are nutritionally very valuable due to their ingredients. In addition, the legumes are said to have a positive effect on sexual disorders. Through regular consumption, the ingredients can have a positive effect on human libido. The possible indication areas of the legumes of the carob tree are extensive and show promising, positive effects on the human body. The carob tree lives up to its position as a medicinal plant.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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