The information given is informative. In case of doubt, consult the doctor. "Botanical" is not responsible for damages caused by self-medication |
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A detail of the plant (1) with the fruits (2) and the flowers (3) ( male, female and hermaphrodite |
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Daniel Martínez Bou |
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| Common noun : Carob, Locust tree. | ||
| Scientific noun: Ceratonia siliqua L. | ||
| Family . Pea family -papilionaceae | ||
| Habitat: Cultivated in the Mediterranean warm regions of calcareous soils and naturalized in dry, rocky places not very far from the sea. | ||
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Characteristics : A Perennial tree of the Pea family - leguminosae - up to 10 m. Smooth stems ,with many protuberances, grayish. Alternate leaves, composite with paired leaflets , from 10 to 20 cm. long. Leaflets 3-5 cm, bright green above, coriaceous, with short stalk. Flowers without corolla, of three different types: male ( only with five stamens) , female ( with a single pistil ) and hermaphrodite ( a combination of both previous elements) . The fruit is a pod , indehiscent, till 25 cm long, dark brown in full maturity. Cultivated in the Mediterranean warm regions of calcareous soils and naturalized in dry, rocky places not very far from see. |
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| Active components: Tannins (leaves and bark ), galactan, pentosan, (seeds), mucilage, starch, etc.. | ||
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Medicinal properties: Internal use Laxative: Seeds, very rich in mucilages , and specially pods , mainly tender ones, are very good for constipation. .( Decoction of 30 gr. of pod pieces in a litre of water for 30 minutes. Sieve and drink the desired quantity)
Astringent: This plant, very rich in tannins, may be used in a different opposite way to the one previously mentioned, being a good remedy for diarrhea (decoction of 50 gr. of bark per litre of water . Drink 4 cups a day.) Another uses Its fruit can be used as a substitute of cocoa in the chocolate preparation or making cakes with its flour can be a good solution to fight intestinal illnesses. Animal food: Carob beans are used to feed livestock. When they are dry , they are very appreciated by horses. They are also a component of fodder. Food thickener: food industry makes a good use of this fruit as a thickener. |
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Picking-up and storing: Pods must be collected at the end of summer or beginning of autumn if they are needed to be dry . If you want them unripe , you can collect them in mid spring . Bark is always available.
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