FAMILY
Leguminosea
SPECIES
Ceratonia silique
DESCRIPTION
This drought resistant shrubby tree has autumn racemes of small, dull greenish brown flowers which form clusters of long green pods. These ripen to a leathery chocolate-brown, with a sugar-rich pulp containing protein and vitamins, and small hard beans. |
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USES
The gum from carob seeds is called locust bean gum. The dried, powdered pods of the plant are used in herbal medicine. The pulp is eaten as a sweetmeat and used in an alternative 'chocolate' flavouring for cafein-free foods. Carob is fermented to make alcohol, and processed into a diabetic flour, a culinary thickener, and to colour bouilliom cubes. Skin softening carob gum is popular in face packs, and is also prescribed for diarrhoea. the beans, a jeweller's original carat measure, are ground to make 'coffee'.
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Carob trees are drought tolerant, and usually handle cold weather better than citrus. They are warm-climate plants, however, so you shouldn't try to grow them in a climate that gets below freezing temperatures. The main constituents of carob are sugars and tannins.
Carob tannins have an astringent effect in the gastrointestinal tract making them useful for treating diarrhea. They may also bind to toxins and inhibit growth of bacteria. The sugars make carob gummy and able to act as a thickener to absorb water —another action that may help decrease diarrhea. A double-blind clinical trial found carob useful for treating diarrhea in infants. A less rigorous trial showed it did not help adults with traveler’s diarrhea. Some trials have used up to 15 grams of carob powder for treating diarrhea in children. Adults should take at least 20 grams a day for treating diarrhea. |
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