Quince is basically a fragrant fruit belonging to the Rosaceae family, which also includes apples and pears. It is native to the warm temperate regions of Southwest Asia. Quince is a seasonal fruit and is available from autumn to winter. When ripe, this fruit is golden yellow in color and resembles a pear in shape. It has a fuzzy surface that is similar to that of peaches and a light yellow, gritty flesh with multiple seeds in the center. It has a tart flavor and is seldom eaten raw.

It is often baked or frozen to eliminate its acidity. In fact, it is used in traditional recipes in the Middle East and Mediterranean regions where it is stewed with lamb, goat and pork. The Asian quince variety, being softer and juicier, is often used to make preserves and jellies. Sometimes, it is also used to impart tartness to the traditional apple pie.

1. Anti-inflammatory Properties:

Ripe quince fruit is a rich source of Vitamin C, contributing nearly 25% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA). Vitamin C helps to boost immunity and aids in the treatment of inflammatory conditions. It also possesses anti-allergenic properties. The fruit and its seed extract can be used to treat atopic dermatitis and cystitis. It can also be used in the preparation of food products for allergy sufferers.

2. Good For Weight Loss:

Quince fruit is low in calories but high in dietary fiber. A 100 gram serving of fresh raw quince fruit contains just 57 calories. It is also low in saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol. All these qualities make it an amazing choice for weight loss and overall health.

3. Treats Ulcers:

The phenolics present in Chinese quince have been found to be effective in relieving gastric ulcers. Quince juice is also beneficial for people suffering from gastric ulcers. It also helps in the treatment of peptic ulcers as it soothes the gastrointestinal tract.

4. Treats Stomach Ailments:

Quince is an effective remedy for morning sickness. Quince, when mixed with honey, can help treat colitis, diarrhea, constipation, and intestinal infections. Quince syrup is used to treat hemorrhoids.

5. Antioxidant Benefits:

This fruit boasts of amazing antioxidant properties due to the presence of poly-phenolic compounds. These antioxidants fight off the free radicals present in the body, slowing down the aging process as well as preventing cardiovascular diseases and strokes.

6. Treats Nausea And Vomiting:

Boiled or baked quince relieves nausea and vomiting. Being a good diuretic, it helps to remove fluid build up.

7. Antiviral Properties:

Research has shown that quince fruit is rich in anti-viral properties. The phenolics found in Chinese quince possess strong anti-influenza activity as well as antioxidant properties. It helps protect against colds, flues and other viral pathogens.

8. Lowers Blood Pressure:

Being rich in potassium, quince fruit helps keep high blood pressure in check.

9. Lowers Cholesterol Levels:

Regular consumption of quince fruit helps to lower LDL or bad cholesterol in the blood, keeping the heart healthy.

10. Anticancer Properties:

The antioxidant properties of quince help the body fight against free radicals and destroy malignant cancer cells. The granules in the pulp of quince fruit contain astringent compounds known as tannins i.e. catechin and epicatechin. These tannins protect your mucous membranes from cancers by binding to cancer-causing toxins and chemicals in the colon.

11. Relieves Stress:

The various antioxidants in quince help in relieving stress and maintaining a calm mind.

12. Treats Liver And Eye Diseases:

Regular consumption of quince is beneficial for those suffering from liver and eye diseases. In China, the soaked and boiled seeds of quince are used to prepare a jelly, which can soothe eye problems, sore throats and inflammation of the mucous membranes.

14. Benefits Of Quince Seeds And Oil:

Quince seeds are effective in curing hoarseness of the throat and trachea as well as other ailments. Its oil prevents sweating, fortifies the heart and strengthens the liver and stomach.

15. Other Benefits:

Quince juice is helpful in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, respiratory ailments, anemia, and asthma. Regular consumption can help in the treatment of tuberculosis, dysentery and hepatic insufficiency too.

사람을 네 번 놀라게 한다는 모과

첫째는 못생긴 외형에 놀라고, 둘째는 그윽한 향기에 놀라고,셋째로 노랗게 익은 모과의
떫은맛에 놀라고, 마지막으로 맛이 고약한 모과가 한약제로 유용하게 사용됨에 놀란다. 시각적인 것에 익숙해져 있는 현대인들에게 모과는 내면을
다지게 하는 교훈을 남겨주는 과실이기도 한 것이다.

<<관절통 완화, 조혈작용>>
모과는 성질이 따뜻해서 습기를 제거하고, 기운의 탈진과
근육의 이완 등의 허탈 상태를 모두어 들이는 수렴작용(땀, 설사, 소변, 정액, 가래 등의 양을 줄이는 것)이 있다. 그로 인해
토사곽란증(음식에 체하여 토하고 설사를 하는 급성 위장병), 각기병, 근육통, 요통, 관절염, 신경통, 갈증해소에 특효가 있다. 보혈과
조혈작용(혈액을 생성시키는 작용)이 있어서 빈혈로 인한 근육경련, 전신의 혈행이 좋지 않을 경우, 만성 류머티즘 관절통 등에 치료효과를
나타낸다.

<<기관지염 예방 및 치료>>
폐를 보하고 습(濕)을 없애주고, 기관지를
튼튼하게 하여 감기, 천식, 기관지염, 폐렴 등으로 기침을 심하게 하는 경우와 거담(가래제거)에 탁월하다. 감기나 열, 기침, 피로에는 매실보다
더욱 효과적이다.

<<신진대사와 소화 촉진작용>>
모과의 신맛은 주성분이 사과산과
주석산, 구연산 등의 유기산인데, 이러한 산(酸)들이 침, 담즙, 췌장액 등의 소화효소의 분비를 촉진하여 식욕증진, 억균작용과 부패방지작용을
하며, 신진대사를 원활하게한다. 또한 모과 표면의 끈끈한 것은 정유(精油)로 모과의 향을 더해주는 성분이다. 이 정유는 퀸스향으로 신체 및 정신
건강을 강화하고 개선시키는 자연요법의 한 형태인 향기요법(아로마테라피, aromatherapy)으로 응용될 수 있다.

<<알카리성 식품>>
칼슘, 칼륨, 철분 등의 무기질이 풍부한 알카리성 식품이며
단백질이 함유되어 위에서 쉽게 흡수된다. 이외에 모과는 입덧 완화작용이 있으며, 주독을 풀어 주는 해독제로서 숙취에 아주 좋은 식품이다.

<<피로회복, 피부미용효과>>
모과의 떫은 맛은 탄닌 성분 때문이고, 과육에는 탄닌산과
비타민 C가 함유되어 있어 피부미용과 피로회복에 뛰어난 효능이 있다.

<<혈당조절>>

모과의 주요 성분인 당분은 과육의 5 %를 차지하는데, 주로 과당의 형태로 들어있으며, 이 과당은 다른 당분보다 혈당의 상승을 막아주는
효과가 있다. 체내의 당분흡수를 지연시킬 뿐 아니라 이미 흡수된 당분은 빨리 소모시키기 때문에 당뇨병환자의 에너지원으로 좋다.