Punica granatum (Shiliu)

Distribution:
Throughout China.
 
Properties (characteristics):
Sour, tart, warm
 
Channels (meridians) entered:
Large intestine.
 
Medical functions:
The alkaloid of Pericarpium Granati  can kill tape worms.
Pericarpium Granati  can lower the rate of pregnancy of animals.

The water extract of Pericarpium Granati  and root can promote blood coagulation.

Pericarpium Granati  possesses antibiotic effect :Salmonella typhi, Shigella, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and various skin fungi

Pericarpium Granati  can  inhibit the virus of influenza.

Pericarpium Granati  can inhibit candida albicans 
 
Actions & Indications:
Being used in chronic diarrhea, chronic dysentery, with bleeding. Use charred Pericarpium Granati to arrest bleeding.
parasite and abdomen pain. Being used as anthelmintics.
external application: Neurodermatitis, yeast infection of the mouth.
the root of shi liu tree (Punica granatum L.) is being used more frequently in getting rid of parrasites.

Dosage:
3~9 g

Samples of formulae:
For treatment of neurodermatitis: charred Pericarpium Granati  1 part, sesame oil 2 parts. Mix into paste and apply with a brush to affected area., twice a day.
For treatment of trush (oral infection of Candida): Pericarpium Granati  (promegranate peel) 10 g, beng da wan 15 g. Add 800 c.c. of water and simmer for 45 minute. Rinse mouth with decoction.

Pomegranate has proven fungicidal and wound-healing properties.
Topically applied extracts of pomegranate peel:
For scalding and burns: Pericarpium Granati  grind into powder, add bing pian and sesame oil. Mix into paste and apply with a brush.

Cautions:
Occasionally with normal dosage of  Pericarpium Granati  (promegranate peel) it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, tinnitus, spasm in the lower legs. Long term usage can cause necrosis of the center of lobule of liver, fatty liver, cirrhosis. In clinical application,  if the above symptoms appear, stop using the herb. If the symptoms are serious, apply symptomatic treatment.