The carob trees are those trees belonging to the genus Prosopis, family Fabaceae. These are species that usually measure about ten meters and that have carob as fruit.
The white carob tree, whose scientific name is Prosopis alba, is found in Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Bolivia and Peru. This tree is usually used for ornamental purposes, while its wood allows the production of floor coverings, doors, barrels and other elements.
The pallida Prosopis known as pale carob. Due to the hardness of its wood, it is used to make parquet and furniture pieces. The same is true of Prosopis nigra or black carob.
It is called carob European to the Ceratonia siliqua, a tree in the region of the Mediterranean that is resistant to drought and whose wood is used in the field of carpentry. The carob tree from this tree, on the other hand, is used as food, while its leaves are used for livestock.
The carob tree (Cercis siliquastrum), according to Digopaul, can exceed 15 meters in height. It resists drought and cold, although not the frosts that extend over time. The wood of this tree, unlike what happens with other carob trees, is not valued for its quality.
Regarding the carob tree fruit, it should be noted that the seeds are found in pods, which can be dark or white according to the species. These seeds contain phosphorus, iron, calcium, sugars and other components. Many times they are used to replace cocoa, resulting in healthier.
Medicinal properties of carob
The carob tree fruit offers a long list of benefits for both humans and other animals. Although in this case we will focus on those that directly affect us, it is worth mentioning that various species of mammals are very attracted to the flavor of carob, and eat it as if it were their favorite dessert.
Among the medicinal properties of carob is its high content of mucilages, a type of soluble fiber that works in treatments against inflammation of the mucosa. This fruit is very beneficial for cases of irritations in the respiratory tract, digestive problems, diarrhea and any pain or discomfort in the stomach.
On the other hand, carob is an energy food, which only has 10% protein compared to 50% natural sugar. It also has a high content of tannins, a powerful natural antioxidant, and various vitamins, among which are those of group B, B1 (also known as thiamine), B2 (or riboflavin), B3 (niacin) and pro vitamin A.
The asthma is a disease characterized by swelling of the airways to the point of dangerously breathing difficult. It is an evil that affects many people and prevents them from leading a completely normal life. Although carob does not offer a cure against this disorder, its resin is highly recommended to complement treatments, since one of its most outstanding characteristics is its expectorant capacity, which helps to clean the airways naturally.
Other health problems or conditions that can improve thanks to the carob tree fruit are cystitis, gonorrhea, laryngitis, constipation, irritation of the eyes and inflammation of the throat. In addition, since it does not contain gluten, it is a very suitable food for celiac individuals.
Carob is marketed in different forms, such as powder (which must be diluted in water before use), in tablets, in seeds, in cookies or in flour, among others. It is important to alternate it with other foods, to avoid inhibiting the digestion of certain nutrients.
