1. Description
What is a persimmon? The persimmon (scientific name: Diospyros kaki, Chinese Pinyin: Shi Zi, Simplified Chinese: 柿子), is a species of big, deciduous tree with broad and stiff leaves, yellow and white flower, red-brown or orange fruits. The plant is classified in genus Diospyros in the ebony family, Ebenaceae. The plant can grow up to 10 cm tall. Native to China and extensively cultivated in East Asia, North America and Southern Europe, habitats of persimmon include mountainous regions, hill lands, flatlands and river shoal (usually from between 0 to 1,500 meters in elevation). Characteristics of persimmon include adaptation to sandy land and barren land, tolerance for cold and drought.
Other names for the persimmon include: Japanese persimmon, Chinese persimmon, kaki (from Japanese name, kaki), kaki persimmon, and Oriental persimmon.
Other simplified Chinese names for persimmon include: 红嘟嘟, 朱果, 红柿.
How do persimmons taste?
The persimmon flavor is generally described as succulent, sweet, slightly astringent, slightly tangy with a soft, jellyish to occasionally fibrous texture.
How is persimmon used in traditional Chinese medicine?
Persimmon is considered to have sweet, astringent and cool properties and to be associated with the heart, lung and large intestine meridians. It is used as heat-clearing drugs, detoxicant, lung tonic and secretory in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as chronic tracheitis and goiter.
How do I tell if my persimmons are ripe?
Persimmons are ripe when they are soft, gently push against the flesh and it should give, it should not spring back. Unlike apples or pears, the flesh is more jellyish and not at all mealy, hard is not good.
This is what persimmons look like. (Image source: dp.pconline.com.cn)
2. Uses, Health Benefits of Persimmon & Medical Formulas
2.1 Weight Control
A research published in Annals of Internal Medicine concluded that daily intake of 30 grams of dietary fiber may help to lose weight, lower blood pressure, and improve our body’s response to insulin (harvard.edu 2015). Since persimmons are rich in dietary fiber, eating persimmons should help us to better control our body weight and also persimmon is an excellent partner to heavy and regular workout as the combination of diet and workout leads to faster digestion and utilization of nutrients making us feel hungry frequently.
2.2 Bone Health
In the 1930s, researchers discovered that our bodies require small amounts of dietary manganese each day. Since then, it has been determined that each adult has about 15-20 mg of manganese stored in his or her body (whfoods.com 2011). Manganese is essential for bone health. When combined with the right amounts of calcium, zinc, and copper, manganese encourages normal bone density, especially in the spine and legs. Manganese also helps absorb vital vitamins like vitamin B and E and minerals like magnesium. As 100 grams of persimmons provides 18% of our body’s daily requirement of manganese, eating persimmons helps to strengthen bone health and possibly relieve osteoarthritis pain.
2.3 Enhance Vision
Lutein and zeaxanthin protect our eyes from harmful high-energy light waves like ultraviolet rays in sunlight. Researches demonstrate that a high level of both in eye tissue is associated with better vision, especially in dim light or where glare is an issue (webmd.com 2016). Therefore, eating persimmons which are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin may help hold off eye diseases and enhance our vision.
2.4 Asthma
[CTM Formula] A decoction of Dysosma versipellis leaves, dried persimmon and brown sugar is taken orally to treat asthma.
2.5 Goiter
[CTM Formula] Juice extracted from unripe persimmons is taken to treat goiter (a disease of the thyroid gland that makes a person’s neck very swollen).
2.6 Detoxify Tung Oil Tree Poisoning
[CTM Formula] Fresh persimmon or dried persimmon can also be used in detoxifying tung oil tree poisoning.
3. Contraindication, Side-effects & Cautions
Simultaneous eating of persimmons and crabs is NOT recommended (may lead to stomachache and diarrhoea.
List of reference
harvard.edu 2015 Making one change — getting more fiber — can help with weight loss [online] link: http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/making-one-change-getting-fiber-can-help-weight-loss-201502177721
webmd.com 2016 Lutein and Zeaxanthin for Vision
whfoods.com 2011 Manganese [online] link: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=77
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.