Oriented on making people closer

It seems, the great poet wrote these lines about autumn in Turkmenistan, which, after the sweltering summer heat, brings the long-awaited freshness, adding the new colors to the world around and filling it with the scent of autumn flowers.

Autumn here is the best season as gentle sun still shines in the bright blue sky and golden strands just appear in the still dense green crown of trees.

Everything around is filled with peace and bliss – not without reason is it said that autumn is the time of poets and philosophers. It is also the harvest time, when the fruits of the generous Turkmen land fill the counters of shops and oriental bazaars in abundance.

Among them, quince is a special place – an autumn superfood, which has been used for medical and cosmetic purposes since ancient time.

Quince has general health-improving, haemostatic, antiseptic, diuretic and astringent properties and is used in anemia, cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and asthma. Golden aromatic fruits have a positive effect on mood and increase psychological well-being.

Quinces are an ancient fruit with a unique flavor and several potential benefits on health, mood and sleep. In the old days, quince fruits were spread in the house for a pleasant aroma.

Archaeologists have found that quince is one of the most ancient “domesticated” plants. Despite their tough flesh and sour flavor, the first cultivated plantings of quince appeared almost 4 thousand years ago in Asia and then spread across countries and continents.

In 65 BC, the commander Gnaeus Pompeius brought quince to Rome from Kydonia. From flowers of this plant, bees collected nectar to turn it into honey. The Romans used to eat quince as food, to make jams, various drinks, wine and even perfume.

They say that the addiction to quince got to the Romans from the Greeks, who associated various legends and customs with it. So, the Greeks gave the newlyweds to taste the fruit of the quince, believing that this fruit is a favorite fruit of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. It is interesting, Shakespeare also considered quince an excellent remedy for indigestion.

Currently, quince is cultivated in dozens of countries across the world, including Turkmenistan. Quince is one of the convincing examples of how wise nature cares for a person, offering such seasonal fruits and vegetables, which at this particular time are so necessary for person’s health, good spirit and mood.

So, quince has antiviral properties that help the human body to cope with the flu in the fall season. And this is very important amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

In addition, according to Japanese research (Shinshu University), quince can treat gastric ulcer. Those suffering from liver diseases and eye diseases are recommended to eat this food. Quince helps to deal with stress and can be used as a natural sedative.

Quince leaf extract is used to stop the internal bleeding and in the complex treatment of arterial hypertension. Enveloping decoctions are prepared from the seeds. As application, they are used in the form of lotions for eye and skin diseases, burns, as cosmetic for washing and applications that soften the skin, as well as for gargling in tonsillitis and angine.

Quince is a dietary food; it does not contain cholesterol, fats and sodium, while it contains a lot of copper and dietary fiber. It contains pectins, fructose, glucose, organic acids, tannins, vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, PP, and various trace elements.

Quince is a source of potassium, which is necessary for the heart and blood vessels; it is reach with zinc, iron, manganese and fluorine, which are involved in intracellular metabolism. Ascorbic acid in its fruits is 5 times more than in citrus fruits. Moreover, vitamin C is preserved in them even during heat treatment.

Quince fruits also have malic and citric acids. Quinces offer a rich supply of antioxidants, which may reduce metabolic stress and inflammation while protecting your cells from free radical damage and cancer diseases. This fruit is superior to pure ascorbic acid in its antioxidant properties.

So autumn in Turkmenistan is not only a beautiful season, but also a right time of the year to boost your health thanks to the generous gifts of nature ...

Gozel SAHATOVA