PINEAPPLE (Ananas comosus Mill)

The much-loved pineapple is tropical, spiny-leaved shrub that belongs to the plant family Bromeliaceae.  The numerous leaves are linear-lanceolate or sword-shaped and are 1-1.5 m long and 5-7 cm. wide.  The leaf margins are spiny-toothed, rigid and concave on the upper side.  The small stalked red flowers unite at the base and mature into the fleshy fruit, the pineapple, which is 20 cm.  or more in length.  The plant is commonly cultivated in tropical countries.

Medicinal Use

·         Bronchitis.

·         Sore throat.

·         Constipation, reduction of fever, for digestion, treatment of the bladder, prostate, urethra, amenorrhoea or absence of menstruation, rheumatism, arthritis, oedema, jaundice, neurasthenia or weakness of the nervous system, melancholia or extreme depression, nephritis or inflammation of the kidney, and loss of memory.

·         Expels worms, and kills intestinal parasites.

·         Gonorrhea, which is a sexually transmitted disease and anuria or the inability to urinate.

How to use

For bronchitis the pineapple is sliced and covered with honey and then boiled to make syrup.  Two to three spoonfuls a day is a good expectorant.

For sore throat, the natural ripe fruit is eaten, or the juice is drunk.

The pulp or the juice is recommended for constipation, reduction of fever, for digestion, treatment of the bladder, prostate, urethra, amenorrhoea or absence of menstruation, rheumatism, arthritis, oedema, jaundice, neurasthenia or weakness of the nervous system, melancholia or extreme depression, nephritis or inflammation of the kidney and loss of memory.

The decoction of the leaves of the plant is used for expelling worms, and to kill intestinal parasites.

The leaves mixed with the unripe fruit, is indicated for gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease and anuria or the inability to urinate.

Parts used

the leaves and ripe and unripe fruit.

Dose

For leaves and unripe fruit, use 20 to 30 grams for 1 litre of water.  Use 4 to 5 cups a day.  The ripe fruit may be used abundantly.

Caution

Pregnant women should not use the tea of the leaves or the unripe fruit.