According to legend, pomegranates grew in the garden of Eden, and the fruit has been used as a folk medicine for thousands of years. More recently, it has been promoted as a "superfood" that can relieve symptoms of many diseases. In laboratory tests, pomegranate shows antiviral, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. But there is not yet strong evidence that it works in humans to treat or prevent any condition. In addition, there is some concern that pomegranate juice might interact with medications -- much like grapefruit juice does -- making some less effective.

Pomegranate fruit extract is a rich source of polyphenols, chemicals in plants that provide their flavor and color. Polyphenols are also antioxidants, meaning they help protect cells from damage and may lower inflammation in the body. Pomegranate fruit is also high in vitamin C. One pomegranate provides about 40% of the daily requirement of this vitamin.

The bark, fruit, root, and rind of the pomegranate tree are used as medicine in Asia and the Middle East, but in the West the fruit and its juice are usually the parts being studied. The juice and rind have antioxidant properties, while the juice, rind, and oil from seeds contain isoflavones similar to the ones in soy.

Pomegranate grows as a multistemmed shrub or large tree, as high as 20 or 30 feet, that produces suckers from the base. It is native to Iran and is cultivated in the Mediterranean, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Deciduous leaves are opposite, or in whorls, approximately 3/8 to 4 inches long. Flowers are 1 ¼ inch and have a red tubular calyx. The fruit has a leathery skin, usually deep pink or red. The inside of the fruit has white spongy tissue that creates spaces filled with sacs or tart pulp and seed.

The fruit and seed are used in modern herbal medicine. In some traditional folk remedies, the rind and root or bark may also have been used, but they contain potentially toxic substances and should be avoided.

Cancer

Because it is high in antioxidants and other nutrients, some people think that drinking pomegranate juice regularly may help prevent cancer. There is no specific evidence of that, however.

In test tubes, pomegranate extracts made from juice, rind, and oil slow down the reproduction of cancer cells and may hasten their death. Some extracts also help reduce blood supply to tumors, starving them and making them smaller. Most studies have focused on breast and prostate cancer cells. In one other study, pomegranate juice extract given to mice slowed down the growth of lung tumors. However, most of these studies have been in test tubes or in animals, not humans.

In one human study, men who had surgery or radiation for prostate cancer lengthened the amount of time it took for their PSA levels to double by drinking 8 oz. of pomegranate juice each day. Men whose PSA levels double in a short period of time are more at risk for death from prostate cancer. Those who drank pomegranate juice increased the time it took for their PSA levels to double from about 15 months to 54 months, a significant increase.

If you are being treated for any cancer, be sure to ask your oncologist before you take pomegranate or any herb or supplement. Some may interact with cancer medications, making the medications less effective.

Heart disease

Pomegranate’s high antioxidant content has also made researchers wonder if it could treat heart disease. So far, the scientific studies have been small and mostly done either in test tubes or animals.

Pomegranate juice seems to protect LDL (“bad”) cholesterol from damage. Some scientists think that damage to LDL cholesterol causes plaque to build up in arteries, so stopping the damage might help keep arteries clear. One study of mice with atherosclerosis found that pomegranate juice slowed the growth of plaque formation. And a few small studies in people found that pomegranate juice improved blood flow and kept arteries from becoming thick and stiff. However, more and better studies are needed to see exactly what benefit pomegranate juice might offer.

There is some preliminary evidence that drinking pomegranate juice every day may help lower systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) but not diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number).

Osteoarthritis

Flavonols (a kind of antioxidant) similar to the ones found in pomegranate fruit have been suggested as treatments for osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage in joints wears down and causes pain and stiffness.

Researchers believe flavonols can help block inflammation that contributes to the destruction of cartilage. In test tubes, pomegranate extract blocked the production of an enzyme that destroys cartilage in the body. The results were promising; however, more studies -- and studies that look at the effects in humans -- are needed.

Pomegranate juice is available as a liquid; pomegranate extract is available in pill, capsule, or powder form.

Pediatric

As part of a healthy diet, normal amounts of pomegranate juice (4 - 6 oz.) are considered safe. Do not give pomegranate extract to a child without first talking to your doctor.

Adult

There is no standard recommended dose for pomegranate. Eating the fruit and drinking the juice as part of a healthy diet is considered safe. For other conditions, the following doses have been used:

• Atherosclerosis: 50 ml of juice per day
• High cholesterol: 40 g per day
• Prostate cancer: 8 oz. of juice per day

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs  only under the supervision of a health care provider.

Drinking 8 - 12 oz. of pomegranate juice per day is considered safe. Look for 100% juice with no added sugar. If you have diabetes, ask your doctor before drinking fruit juices, including pomegranate.

If you have diarrhea, do not drink pomegranate juice or take pomegranate extract.

Pregnant women should not take pomegranate extract because it may contain fruit rind. The juice, however, is considered safe.

Although researchers aren’t sure, some evidence indicates that pomegranate juice may interact with several medications (much like grapefruit juice does). For that reason, be sure to tell your doctor if you drink pomegranate juice. If you are being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use pomegranate in medicinal forms without first talking to your health care provider.

ACE inhibitors -- These types of drugs are used to control high blood pressure and to treat heart failure and prevent kidney damage in people with diabetes. Pomegranate juice is believed to have some of the same effects as ACE inhibitors and could make the drug too strong. ACE inhibitors include:

• Benazepril (Lotensin)
• Captopril (Capoten)
• Enalapril (Vasotec)
• Fosinopril (Monopril)
• Lisinopril (Zestril)
• Ramipril (Altace)

Blood pressure medication -- Pomegranate juice may lower blood pressure. If you already take medication to lower blood pressure, pomegranate juice or extract could raise the risk of having low blood pressure.

Statin, medications used to lower cholesterols -- There is one case report of a man who developed rhabdomyolysis (a condition where muscle tissue breaks down and leads to kidney damage) after taking rosuvastatin (Crestor) and drinking 200 ml of pomegranate juice weekly. Although scientists aren't sure whether drinking pomegranate juice while taking statins caused the condition, you should check with your doctor before drinking pomegranate juice if you also take a statin. Statins include:

• Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
• Fluvastatin (Lescol)
• Lovastatin (Mevacor)
• Pravastatin (Pravachol)
• Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
• Simvastatin (Zocor)

Warfarin (Coumadin) -- Researchers aren't sure, but it's possible that pomegranate may interact with the blood-thinner warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding.

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