Granati Radix. Pomegranate Root. The bark of the root, fresh or dried, of Punica granatum; [Granati Radicis Cortex. The bark of the root of Punica Granatum. Granati Fructus Cortex. The rind of the fruit of Punica Granatum. U. S.] Lin. Syst., Icosandria monogynia; growing on the shores of the Mediterranean; chiefly imported in the dried state from Germany.

Description. The fruit of this tree resembles an orange, but has a coriaceous rind, and is crowned with a toothed calyx; it was formerly officinal. The root-bark occurs in thin quilled pieces, of a greyish colour externally, yellow within, having a short fracture, slight odour, and bitterish, but astringent taste.

Prop. & Comp. The rind of the fruit contains tannin, about 20 per cent., with extractive and mucilaginous matters; the root-bark contains about the same quantity of tannin, and a principle called punicine has also been detected.

Of. Prep. Decoctum Granati Radicis. Decoction of Pomegranate Root. (Pomegranate root, fresh or dry, sliced, two ounces; distilled water, forty fluid ounces. Boil down to twenty fluid ounces, and strain.)

Therapeutics. The rind of the fruit is astringent, from the tannin contained in it, and may be used externally and internally when astringents are indicated. The pomegranate root appears to possess anthelmintic properties, and has been employed for the expulsion of tape-worms.

Dose. Of decoction, 1 fl. oz. to 3 fl. oz. or more.