Other Names : Pyracantha crenulata, Nepal firethorn, Himalayan Firethorn, Ghigharu, Chhota seb
See also : Firethorn
Special Precautions of Nepalese Firethorn
- The seeds are weakly toxic by hydrocyanic acid releasing glycosides. The pulp and other parts of the plant are free of cyanogenic glycosides.
- The fruit on the Firethorn is only edible after it has been crushed and washed under running water. The main risk with ingestion of large quantities of berries is mild gastrointestinal irritation such as nausea and vomiting, which would happen within 15 to 30 minutes. A choking hazard is also possible if small children try to swallow several berries at once. No other part of the Firethorn plant than the processed fruit should be eaten.
Health Benefits and Uses of Nepalese Firethorn
- Fruits can be made into a preservative. Medicinally it has cardio-tonic, coronary vasodilator and hypertensive properties. It has been used for cardiac failure, myocardial weakness, paroxysmal tachycardia, hypertension, arteriosclerosis and Burgor’s disease.
- The anti-oxidants present in fruits are helpful in reducing the ill-effects of free-radicals in our body, maintain blood-pressure and reduce cholesterol. * Apart from this the fruits are helpful for rejuvenation in aged people, reduce joint pains and act as appetizer.
- The leaves are used in the preparation of herbal tea, sun burn creams and many facial creams.
- The bark of the shrub is used in heavy bleeding during menstrual cycles.
- A combination of Ginkgo and Pyracantha leaves are a tonic to mind. The stem bark is useful in fevers especially malaria. It is rich is beta-carotene, iron, potassium, and anti-oxidants and therefore a healthy choice.
References
- Bisht VK, Kandari LS, Negi JS, Bhandari AK, Sundriyal RC (2013) Traditional use of medicinal plants in district Chamoli, Uttarakhand, India. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 7(15): 918-929.
- Saklani S, Chandra S (2014) In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity, Nutritional Value, Antinutritional Value and Phytochemical Screening of Pyracantha crenulata Fruit. Int J Pharm Sci Rev Res 26 (1):1-5