Pomegranate tree

The pomegranate is a shrub 2-5m in height which can live up to 200 years. The pomegranate tree comes from a vast region stretching from Iran to the north of India where it has been growing in the wild for over 4000 years. It is a pioneer plant of arid lands bordering often desert regions. Resistant, it grows in poor soils and attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies, encouraging the pollination of other plants. It also helps its neighbours by improving access to water and tolerating toxic salts which it stores without circulating them in its aerial parts, enhancing the soil for other plants. The plant is a true tree of life and is associated with love, passion and fertility. In Ancient Egypt, the pomegranate was a symbol of fertility and wealth, attributes of the royalty. It was considered the fruit of the gods. Pomegranate juice is a popular drink in all regions of the world. In India, its juice is considered a tonic for the heart and is used in Ayurvedic medicine. Like many other fruits, the juice of the pomegranate is a powerful antioxidant. It is also said to have anti-inflammatory properties.